Villa Squad and Results 2000/01
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Last updated 21 May 01
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Transfers.
Out:- Mark Bosnich, Free, to Manchester United. Ricardo Scimeca £3Million to Nottingham Forest. Simon Grayson,
£750,000 to Blackburn Rovers. Colin Calderwood to Nottingham Forrest, no fee.
Out Season 2000 - Mark Draper £1.5Million to Southampton. Steve Watson £2.5Million to Everton.
20 Oct 2000 - Ugo sold to Middlesborough for £8million, of which £3million goes to WBA for their 1992 sell-on clause. Goodbye my son, we will miss you, UGO is a name that sounds real good booming off the Holte. How is it Boro can spend 8 million at a time when Doug says we can't spend anything until the transfer system becomes clear (NB we are waiting on an EU ruling on whether transfer fees are legal).
9 Feb 2001. Najwan Grayhib went back to Hapoel Haifa for a £150k, plus a sell on clause. What an impact he made, huh?
In:- David James, £1.5M from Liverpool. Najwan Ghrayib £1 from Hapoel Haifa (Israeli). George Boateng £4.5M from Coventry. Benito Carbone, undisclosed 'nominal' fee from Sheffield Wednesday. Signed in November to end of season. Gustavo Javier Bartelt signed on loan to the end of the season 4th Feb, 2000 from Roma. Luc Nilis, on a free from PSV Eindhoven. A talented striker, but he's 33. Alpay Ozalan, a 27 year old Turkish central defender from Fenerbahce, arrived on 20 July for £5Million. Presumably to be Ugo's replacement, he's known for arguing with refs apparantly - just great. 1st August, David Ginola £3Million plus some fancy undisclosed salary, from Spurs.
Thomas Hitzselspurger joined on a free, supposedly to the annoyance of lots of top teams all around europe. No doubt 'snatched from under the noses of AC Milan', just like Fabio Ferrerasi. Remains to be seen if he ever makes the squad.
Can you believe it, bloody Steve Staunton is back from Liverpool on a free (and a pay cut, I should darn well hope so). Lots of long balls to look forward to then, I do hope Stan is just cover and won't actually play.
Juan Pablo Angel, a Columbian player from the club River Plate, for 9.5million. The deal seemed to be done on Friday, 22nd December, but there remain rumblings all might not yet be fully sealed and delivered. He may play first on 30th against Leicester. Apparantly he scored 17 in 19 games for Plate. Lets hope
The Squad
1-David James 2-Mark Delaney 3-Alan Wright 4-Gareth Southgate 6-George Boateng 7-Ian Taylor 8-Juan Pablo Angel
9-Dion Dublin 10-Paul Merson 11-Steve Staunton 12-Julian Joachim 13- Neil Cutler
14-David Ginola 15-Gareth Barry 16-Alpay Ozalan 17-Lee Hendrie 18-Steve Stone 19-Richard Walker 20-Luc Nilis 21-Thomas Hitzelsperger
22-Darius Vassell 24 -John McGrath 27-Michael Standing 29-Stephen Cooke 30-Jonathan Bewers 31-Jlloyd Samuel 39-Peter Enckleman
Fixtures/Stats/ Match Reviews
Sat 19 Aug Leicester 0-0 Aston Villa. Not many chances anywhere, but at least we got one point more than usual from this fixture. The side was James, Barry, Southgate, Ozalan, Wright, Stone, Hendrie, Boateng, Merson, Ginola (Vassell 63 mins), Dublin. It was a kind of 5-3-2 but with Dion a lone striker and Ginola in free role. Ginola was off early officially due to lack of fitness, but he was on a yellow.
Sun 27 Aug Aston Villa 1-1 Chelsea (Sky) We thought we had it when Luc scored a cracking volley on 10 mins, and a fairly lively first half. The second half didn't exist for either side, with Chelsea's goal the only occurence. The atomsphere was pretty dampened by the existence of a building site where the Trinity Road stand should be, and the cool reception for some of the want-away gang - including outright booing for JJ. In fairness to him he did more than Dion, who as far as I could see did not touch the ball for the whole 90. We really need to replace this man, maybe drop him back to defence.
Wed 6 Sep Liverpool 3 - 1 Aston Villa Three nil to Liverpool at half time, an Owen hat trick. Not bad finnishes, but due in equal part to our defensive gaffs. I hope normal service can be resumed soon in this department. A better second half, but not enough to repair the damage.
Sat 9 Sep Ipswich 1 - 2 Aston Villa. The most critical moment for us being the awful multiple shin fracture for Luc, personally I can see we will end up claiming the insurance on him. At 33, and this kind of injury, I can't see a way back. But Vassell came on, and made a difference. Lil' Lee scored a lovely goal and Dion headed in a Merson corner. Let's hope this is the resurgence of Hendrie and the real beginning of Darius.
Sat 16 Sep Aston Villa 2 - 0 Bradford Ginola came into attack with Dion to replace the (permanantly?) injured Nilis. But the first goal came from Southgate, latching on to a ball from Hendrie who is continuing his resurgence, thank goodness. We were lucky that the linesman spotted a marginal offside to rule out Bradfords equalizer. Carbone was playing for Bradford to general boos all around the ground. Although we could still have him if Doug would part with enough salary money. Ginola was subsituted (he still ain't really doing it) by JJ who won us his traditional penalty. Dion took it, and scored. A welcome change from our recent penalty missing form.
Sat 23 Sep Middlesbrough 1 - 1 Aston Villa Leading until the 89th following a hard work performance and a goal from, can you believe it, JJ, it all slipped away when Alpay turned a Paul Ince cross into his own net. Two points lost here, without a doubt. The bright note, another good performance from Hendrie when he came on as sub. Much speculation this week that Nilis will not play again, plus the expectation than Ugo will finally go, and to Middlesboro. Lets hope the money goes straight back out on a striker, eg Celta Vigo's Beni McCarthy.
Sat 30 Sep Aston Villa 4 - 1 Derby Great to see Villa wallop someone, even if it was only Derby. Ginola's hair was tangle-free and he had a good shot stopped in the opening minutes, but went off early, 'injured', to be replaced by JJ, to boos from around the stadium. Derby were quite good going forward, but woeful at the back and for once we capitalised. JJ first, then Merse (I think it was just meant to be a ball into the box, but the Derby defenders all sat down). In the second half Alan Wright-Wright-Wright scored from the edge of the box before Derby got their one. Right at the end (89?) JJ again with a great run in from the corner flag and a tight angled shot. Unlike his usual great run and crap shot, if he keeps this up he can stay. After this we were all singing his name of course, though I don't think the irony of that was lost on anyone. As is now usual Alpay came over to the Holte to milk the applause and kiss the shirt. That mans knows his business. And once again Dion did NOTHING.
Sat 14 Oct Arsenal 1 - 0 Aston Villa On-loan strike Gilles De Bilde (aka Bob the Builder, can he fix it) watched a pretty good alround performance in which Villa dominated for some periods and challanged the goal on a number of occasions. Hendrie was sent off for two marginal yellow card offences, and we saw Vassell come on for the still dreadful Dion Dublin. Lets hope thats the end of DDs run in the side unless his form picks up. On the minus side, JG told us after the game that there will be no new signings until the new year at least, due to the uncertainty of the future transfer rules.
Sun 22 Oct Aston Villa 0 - 0 Sunderland (Sky)
Another no ball contact performance from Dion, and apart from the usual magic performance form The Person there was not much to talk about in this game.
Sat 28 Oct Aston Villa 2 - 1 Charlton
First half headers for Ian Taylor and The Person (yes, that's right, headers from those two) gave Villa a two nil lead. In the second half Dion finally found the net, unfortunately the wrong one.
Sun 5 Nov Everton 0 - 1 Aston Villa (Sky)
We can count ourselves a bit lucky on this one. A very wild and windy day saw saw Everton make us work hard, and it all would have been for nothing if not for a Paul Merson 28 yard wonder goal.
Sat 11 Nov Aston Villa 2 - 0 Tottenham
Villa were as good as I have ever seen them. If only we had more finishing, this would be it. As it was, lots for the Holte to sing about, including two goals from the only one Ian Taylor
Sat 18 Nov Southampton 2 - 0 Aston Villa
Such a let down after last week. The first half was our poorest all seaon, and a firey second half didn't help as no-one was there to finish anything. But we are hearing encouraging noises that DD will release some striker money for JG to spend. Soon, we hope.
Sat 25 Nov Coventry 1 - 1 Aston Villa
Well, the good news an 8th minute strike from Dion, his first in over two months. After that, same old story - great Merson work, no-one to finish it off. Coventry equalized on 83 minutes.
Sat 2 Dec Aston Villa 1-1 Newcastle
Another goal for Dion after 4 minutes, in this game in which Villa Massacred Newcastle but completely failed to mobilise this fact into the score. Newcastle equalised on 82. Off the field News centres around the continued efforts to sign Benni McCarthy from Celta Vigo, but as usual Villa's valuation of him falls just short of what Celta will sell him for. Remember we wouldn't pay £5.5million for Robbie Keane? It was just too much. £5 was our top valuation. Instead Coventry bought and then sold him to Inter for £12 million a year later.
Sat 9 Dec West Ham 1 - 1 Aston Villa hendire
Not a bad result I suppose, both sides having good spells. A goal for Hendrie, who's coming on a bit lately.
Sat 16 Dec Aston Villa 2 - 2 Man City
These draws are a bad habit, bourne of lack of class striker. No surprise that the Benni thing died this week, we are now switching our attention to Quan Miguel sommat, a south american. Our valuation is £8million, but guess what, theirs is £10 million.
Dion scored yet again, and this was a well taken header, not just a lucky bounce, so keep at it boy. The other was a great shot from Ginola who played the full 90, and showed some class. In midweek JG had critised him for being overweight. Consequently off came the shirt during the goal celebration, showing us he is definately not overweight. He got booked for it thought. Also, Lil' Lee was sent off for dissent. No yellow, just straight to the red, after he went too far with his penalty appeal, the ref said. I can't think how he managed to be so offensive from 20 feet away from the ref, I hope to see this red overturned. City were probably worth their draw, unlike some of the other sides who got a point off us lately.
Sat 23 Dec Leeds 1 - 2 Aston Villa
I imagine those lovies at Leeds just love Gareth Southgate, coz he did it to them again, late in the first half. George hit a second late in the second with Leeds getting a 90th minute conslolation. Presumably the news of Juan's impending arrival fired up the Villa side, who deserved the win, according to John Gregory. And who better to ask for an unbiased opinion. Oh yeah, Bob The Builder played for 70 minutes, and looked OK, if not awe inspiring. Lee was good again, but has a suspension coming up again.
Tue 26 Dec Aston Villa 0 - 1 Man Utd (Sky)
Well. Graham Pohl is not the ref you want when playing Man U. Bob The Builder was playing up front with DD and had a first half goal dissallowed because he was supposed to have fouled one of the Nevilles, although without touching him. Neville dived as soon as he saw he was beaten. In fairness, Utd were strong in the first half although failed to finnish the chances they made. In the second half Villa were much better, although Utd still looked dangerous on the break. Dion hit the back of the net, but was called offside. Surprise, on MOTD it turned out he was onside. Of course when Ole Gunnar hit one on 85 minutes, it was judged good, even though he was completely ugly throughout the match. And only 41,000 watched, despite reports of a sellout. The Trinity Road now being fully open means we should squeeze nearly 50k in.
Sat 30 Dec Aston Villa 2 - 1 Leicester
Postponed officially because of snowy conditions. But Villa Park has undersoil heating doesn't it, Chris. Well yes it does, but then they said the terraces were icy and too dangerous. But they could put a bit of salt down couldn't they Chris? Well, yes they could. But that wouldn't help the fact that Juan Pablo doesn't have his work permit yet.
Sat 1 Jan Chelsea 1 - 0 Aston Villa
Not much to say, since I didn't see much of this game. By all accounts not many chances on either side, and Villa can't complain much about the result. This was Bob De Builder's last game on loan, and he played the whole of it. Had he put away either of his chances maybe he would be staying. As it is, back to Sheffield Wednesday.
Sat 13 Jan Aston Villa 0 - 3 Liverpool
With Boateng and Taylor injured, and Hendrie suspended, midfield options were very limited indeed. Barry continued there, joined by J Lloyd. Alpay was back in defence. Dion was the lone striker, by next week Juan should be on (he arrived at VP just in time to be shown off at half time today - he must have been pretty worried). By half time Liverpool were two up and JG tried something different. He took off Alpay and made a back four of Southgate, Wright, McGrath and Staunton. The middle four was J Lloyd, Barry, Stone, Merson with Vassell and Dubin upfront. Alpay and Ginola had come off. Pretty radical, huh? It didn't work in terms of the scoreline, but it was a worthwile try. We also saw 10 minutes of Thomas Hitszelsburger at the end, nothing incredible to tell about that unfortunately. Also, there was some kind of fracas between Alpay and David James during the first half, which Staunton stepped on to break up. Maybe that's why its Alpay who came off at half time.
Sat 20 Jan Man Utd 2 - 0 Aston Villa
A better team than last week with Hendrie and Boateng in the middle. We started with the dreadfull Dublin and the new boy Angel at the front, in our normal 3-5-2. Utd were strong all throught the first half, but our defence and David James kept it to 0-0. We started the second half much brighter with Hendrie clean through but parried by Barthez, then Barry going desperately close from the rebound. It all ended predictably though. Juan came off after an hour and Vassell came on. But wait - good things are on the way starting next week. Mark my words.
Sat 3 Feb Bradford 0 - 3 Aston Villa
Finally a win. Only Bradford (they are a way bottom of the league) but may just be the morale boost we need. Luckily DD was injured in training so Darius started, scoring two, one neatly assisted by Juan - who this week admitted he is finding it hard to settle in to the culture, both socially and on the field. But so did Theirry Henry when he first got to the Arse, so it doesn't mean there's no hope. JPA went off on 70 mins to be replaced by JJ, who score in the 89th.
Sat 10 Feb Aston Villa 1 - 1 Middlesbrough
The usual story. Villa scored first (Stone) and despite being the better side for much of the game, failed to find the killer touches. To add further insult, Boro's scorer was Ugo. Defence - Delaney, Alpay, Staunton (Southgate and Barry injured) Wingbacks Wright and Stone, Midfield Boateng and Hendrie (later Taylor) Forward Midfield ('the hole') Merson and Up Front Joachim (later Dublin) and Angel (Vassell 3 match ban - he seems to be first choice - quite rightly - when available.
Sat 24 Feb Derby 1 - 0 Aston Villa
We know the routine, Villa do well in terms of possesion and getting into dangerous positions, but don't finish anything, so the one penalty conceded by Barry settled it. I have to admit now, that is the end of Villa's season, right here. The substitutions were a different from usual, JJ for Angel at half time, Hendrie for Wright after an hour and the out-of-favour Ginola going into the middle for 15 mins in place of Taylor.
Sat 3 Mar Sunderland 1 - 1 Aston Villa
A new story this week, with Villa taking the lead early in the second half with a breakaway goal from JJ. Sunderland equalized and had a 'goal' dissallowed late on - leaving their fans howling. A bit of luck for a change. Angel was left on the bench for the whole of this game.
Sat 10 Mar Aston Villa 2 - 1 Ipswich
Lots to tell about this one. For a start we played 4 - 4 - 2. At the back Staunton Alpay Southgate Stone , then Ginola (yes, you heard) Taylor Hendrie Merson and finally Dublin Joachim. Angel back on the bench, though heaven knows why as Dion was barely present. Staunton and Hendrie stood out by having stinkers, giving the ball away over and over. Merse was not at his best either. Gin actually played a bit, having the left all to himself in the absence of Wrighty. And he gave us a wave, which is a first I think. So we were 0-1 down at half time after a pretty dismal Villa display, and the second half was that much better apart from the Julian Joachim Show - two wonderful solo goals. And he would have had a third after an extremely clear cut but not given penalty. Did you spot the change? Played poorly but won - the exact opposite of the season so far.
Sat 17 Mar Aston Villa 0 - 0 Arsenal
A tale of two defences cancelling each other out, and not much excitement at all with neither side producing much in the way of shots. Villa played to 4-4-2 again.
Sat 31 Mar Man City 1 - 3 Aston Villa
A respectable scoreline against a doomed side, one goal absolutely gifted to Dion by City's goalie. Lets face it its the only way DDs going to get a goal the way he plays at the moment. Even though 4-4-2, no place for Daveeed, with Alan Wright back in defence and Stone given a midfield role. No place even on the bench for Pablo, although he did have the excuse of being tired after scoring two for Columbia in the week. Incredibly Mr Gregory made a front two out of Merson (our best midfield player) and Dion (our worst attacker). The best version we have of in-form strikers being JJ and Vassell. What is that man thinking of. The other goals came from Merson and Hendrie, in a game with 4 yellows each and a red for them.
Sat 7 April Aston Villa 2 - 2 West Ham
Villa were 1-0 down, came back to 2-1, but let it go in the last five minutes - not for the first time. The reason for this is simple - for the last 15 minutes Villa always get everyone in the box and try to defend the lead. If they get the ball, they hoof it upfield where the opposition come right back. This tatic rarely works - attack being the best form of defence. JG seems not to know this. In fairness, West Ham would have been very unlucky to lose this game, because while 442 is getting us results, its not resulting in our best play.
Sat 14 April Aston Villa 2 - 1 Everton
Well, David Unsworth came back to visit us again, and his missus still doesn't know where he is (check out last years match review). Villa went one up on 73 seconds with a well taken goal from Dion Dublin (yes, you heard right). But that was where the rout ended. At half time it was 1-1 due to a spectacular goal from David Unsworth. Eventually JG saw fit to bring on Ginola, Vassell and Angel and Villa livened up a lot, finally finding a winner from the only one Ian Taylor after 83. Angel looked good.
Mon 16 April Charlton 3 - 3 Aston Villa
Villa were behind three times before Lee Hendrie got us a point on 93 minutes. I suppose we should be grateful to know that Villa can acutally score 3.
Sat 21 April Aston Villa 0 - 0 Southampton
A rare chance to see Darius Vassell play a full 90 minutes for Villa, and get involved with a hatful of chances. Given a bit more first team experience he would have bagged one or two. Dissapointing to fail to best a Southampton side who had just lost three, particularly with a sixth spot european window looking like it could open up.
Sat 28 April Tottenham 0 - 0 Aston Villa
Not as dire as it sounds, both sides making a few clear chances, several of ours falling to Darius. He's not doing them at the moment, but I just feel he will. At least he gets into goalscoring positions, which is so much more than you can say for Dublin. Don't start me off, you know what I think of him. It remains a mystery why we had to wait 80 mins for the on-form Ginola to be introduced. As last season, his arrival was cheered as loudly by the Spurs fans as by us.
Sat 5 May Aston Villa 3 - 2 Coventry
At half time it was all over, with Hadji hitting two whacking good shots to put Cov 2 - 0 up, and looking like maybe they could avoid relegation. At half time we saw Ginola for Staunton (how we had Staunton on in favour of Ginola in the first place, please, someone explain) and Hendrie for Boateng. I notice that Ginola likes to put Lee through, they could be a good pairing. Nevertheless it was past the hour before Villa finally got a goal from Darius, but it won't be one he will be proud of - the keeper fumbled and in bounced in off DV. Two minutes later saw Angel on for Vassell and the crowd were torn between cheering (Angel coming on) or booing (Vassell going off, when Guess Who was on the field and doing nowt). 80 minutes ish and Gareth Southgate delivered a cross that got cleared off the line, and fell to, wait for it, none other than the little Juan Pablo Angel. He chested it down, volleyed hard into the roof of the net, and the roof of the Holte lifted 6 feet in the air. After this, there'll be no stopping him. 5 minutes later and Paul Merson was off the edge of the box, wandering who to play it in for, and he thinks, heck, lets just have a go. It curled strong and true into the top corner. That's Coventry relegated, then.
Sat 19 May Newcastle 3 - 0 Aston Villa
Gregory started probably Villa's most positive 442 in Wright, Southgate, Barry, Delaney; Taylor, Hendrie, Merson, Ginola, Vassell, Angel. But they didn't reward him and it was 2 - 0 at half time. Ginola was annoyed by his early substitution and left early, who can blame him. I doubt we'll ever see him at Villa Park again. Dublin came on too as if that could make any difference, and finally Delaney rounded off a miserable season with an own goal. This result sees Villa 8th in the table, and most likely back in the Inter Toto next term. Oh what might have been - just read how hopeful I was after the Tottenham home game.