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 Villa Squad and Results 2001/02

Transfers.

Find Accommodation Near To Villa Park

Out:- Julian Joachim, valued at £2.5M in Hadji Coventry swap deal, July 2001.

Gareth Southgate £6.5 M to Middlesborough, July 10 2001

David James, £3.5 M to West Ham, July 10 2001

Richard Walker £50k to Blackpool Dec 2001 (a young striker who never made it for us)

Feb 02 - The Fat Gonk Frenchman to Everton. We had to pay them to take him - really. But at least we save the £50k per week.

In:- Hassan Kachloul, Midfielder on an out-of -contract free from Southampton. Known to be Mustapha Hadji's best mate, so that might be one reason why he's here, June 2001.

Mustapha Hadji = Joachim + £2million from Coventry, July 2001.

Peter Schmeichel Out of Contract, 1 year signing from Sporting Lisbon with further year option. I think we will bring Peter Enkelman through as first team goalie.

Olof Mellberg from Sweden's Racing Santander, £5.6million. A 23 year old defender.

10 Aug 2001. Bosko Balaban, a croation striker signed from Dynamo Zagreb for £6million.. What are we going to sing for him? There's only one Bosko Balaban? Maybe now some first division side will make an offer for Dion and we can wave him off.

Squad Numbers

G=Goalie D=Defender M=Midfield A=Attack W=Wing R=Right L=Left C=Central

1-Peter Scheichel (G) 2-Mark Delaney (D/WR) 3-Alan Wright (D/WL) 4-Olof Mellberg (DC) 5-Aplay Ozalan (DC) 6-George Boateng (MC) 7-Ian Taylor (MC) 8-Juan Pablo Angel (A) 9-Dion Dublin (A) 10-Paul Merson (MC/A) 11-Steve Staunton (D) 12-Peter Enkelman (G) 13- Boaz Myhill (G) 14-David Ginola (M/WR) 15-Gareth Barry(D/WL) 17-Lee Hendrie (MC) 18-Steve Stone (D/WR) 19 - Bosko Balaban (A) 20-Mustapha Hadji (M/WR) 21-Thomas Hitzelsperger (M) 22-Darius Vassell (A) 23-Stefan Moore (A) 25-Jonathan Bewers (M/D) 29-Stephen Cooke (M) 30-Hassan Kachloul (M/WL) 31-Jlloyd Samuel (DC)

 Fixtures/Stats/ Match Reviews

 18 Aug - Spurs 0 - 0 Villa A cautious opener from both sides with Darius going closest for Villa with two good efforts, Spurs had a penalty claim turned down late on that they thought was cast iron. JG made the extraordinary move for the last 15 minutes of taking off Vassell and Angel and bringing on Hadji and Ginola - presumably leaving us with at 4 - 6 - 0 formation. Johnny, don't do this to us.

 26 Aug - Villa 1 - 1 Man Utd Encouraging to see nice flowing football from Villa, a Darius Vassell goal from Kachloul's Cross on 4 minutes looking like enough until Utd got a late equalizer on 93 (given as an Alpay og, but he couldn't do much about it). Villa weren't trying to defend the lead like so many times before, it was just a breakaway. DV played with JPA for most of the game, with Bosko on for the last 10 minutes. JPA made several woeful crosses, and made some nice runs that no-one picked up on. Not much time to assess Bosko, but he does seem to move in only one directions - goalwards. Oh yeah - Mark Delaney was wonderful on the RHS of the back four - had Giggs in his pocket the whole game. Villa 4-4-2 Schmeichel, Wright, Mellberg, Alpay, Delaney, Kachloul, Merson, Boateng, Hendrie, Vassell, Angel.

08 Sept - Liverpool 1 - 3 Villa Called by some a shock result, but only those who havn't noticed Villa's dramatic squad strengthening and recent form. Personally, I had money on Villa to win this. Bosko and JPA were both late back from World Cup Qualifiers duty, so presumably that's why Dion started with Vassell. Otherwise the same side that played MU. Dion opened with his best goal for a long time, a powerful header from Merson's free kick. Liverpool equalised through Gerard who was later sent off for a nasty foul on George - not dismillar to the one that ended Luc Nilis career, but that George survived. In the second half Hendrie pounced when Dion failed to connect to put us back in front. We then survived a lively Liverpool period before Darius wrapped it up with a fine solo goal.

19 Sept - Villa 0 - 0 Sunderland Perhaps not quite as dull as the scoreline suggests. Villa had it about 7-3 on chances, but we really we need to be winning games like this. Sunderland's plan was to pack defence and midfield (not unreasonable for an away side) and they were quite effective at it. Dissapointingly JG plumped for Dion to partner Darius again, when will he learn? What has he brought the new stikers for? On the staff side, Ginola came on for Merson early in the first half, and Balaban was given a 20 minute run at the end. I would love to see Dion getting 90 minutes runs out every week (for Wolves).

22 Sept - Southampton 1 - 3 Villa Southampton started brightly but it was Villa who struck with two early goals through Boateng (15 mins) and Juan Pablo (21). After that villa were pushy and looked likely to score more as Juan hit the post and the bar. This is the first time we've seen Angel and Dublin up front together and even I have to admit that Dion was some use. Southampton had chances too, and Pahars beat schmeichel right at the end of the half. The second half was crazy with chances at both ends and then Delap sent off for a last man-challenge on Hassan. Hassan was clearly through although the Delap really only tapped him. Villa didn't keep the numbers advantage for long, as Dion was sent off in bizzare circumstances. Well off the ball, a Southampton defender suddenly collapsed on the ground. The linesman advised the ref that Dion had head butted him, and red was shown. I think Dion will get that rescinded at tribunal [addendum - he did]. Southampton then had a good period of pressure, but all that evaporated when Hendrie put in a cross that Hadji headed home. Balaban came on for a bit at the end.

29 Sept - Villa 2 - 0 Blackburn What a change from those old 3-5-2 days when we used to murder teams and come away 1-1. Playing 4-4-2 today with Angel and Vassell up front Villa were mediocre at best. Blackburn started well although for most of the first half defended fairly effectively and broke away dangerously. But 30 seconds after the break Angel's neat finnish made it 1-0. Instead of piling on the pressure, it was Blackburn who responded to the early goal with a long spell when sitting on the Holte I wasn't seeing much at all. Then Villa broke away. Angel came up with some clever footwork to get the ball to Hendrie who made a good short cross. Vassell got there first and that was it. Play badly, get the points. 4th in the league, undefeated, game in hand over all the teams in front of us. Why is this not satisfying?

13 Oct - Villa 2 - 0 Fulham A quiet first half, and indeed game, from Villa with Fulham commanding the big majority of the possession (65% according to Sky). But our goal remained impregnable for the fourth game in a row (including the Uefa second leg against Varteks and Worthington cup against Reading). No Mellberg due to injury again with Staunton partnering Alpay. Staunton is good at the moment, it pains me to admit. But just as the last game two moments of magic is all it takes to win a game. First, a cross from Hadji that curled away from the keeper and was finnished off by the in rushing Vassell. Then a perfect ball from Angel picking up Taylor's run from midfield. For the first time in a while, there was Only One Ian Taylor. Back from injury, he came on after 15 minutes as Kachloul went off with a hamstring niggle. The fat gonk frenchman was on the bench, but stayed there. Next week Magic Man should also be back so look forward to a good review in the next paragraph (now that's tempting fate).

20 Oct - Everton 3 - 2 Villa Galling to finally lose a game on the same day that Leeds, Arsenal and ManU all failed to win as well. Everton went 3 -0 up, that's as many league goals as we conceded in the 7 games so far this season. A good Hadji goal got it to 3-1 and it was the 90th minute before a corner was vollied in by.........Peter Schmeichel. We did still have the problem that with Hassan unavailable we had to use Lee out left and Ian Taylor in the middle with George, so we lost our creative playmaker, but the bottom line today was that Everton wanted it more than the Villa players, lets hope normal service will be resumed on Wednesday night.

24 Oct - Villa 1 - 0 Charlton Normal service definately resumed. Villa were all over Charlton from start to finish, Peter didn't have to make a save. Dissapointing to end up with just the one, but with Villa up to third in the league, who's complaining? We did have Hassan back today so Lee was back in the middle making good plays. With Merse back on the bench, only Olof is missing now - although I'll be happier when he's back. Just one little mystery tonight, JPA not on field or bench.

27 Oct - Villa 3 - 2 Bolton Villa Go Top!!! Bolton struck first through Adam Ricketts on 75 seconds. Then Juan Pablo hung in the air to head in from Stuanton's corner after Hadji's shot had whistled wide. Soon after, Juan put a beautiful ball into Vassell's path and with only the goalie to beat he did just that. A second half push on Hadji earned a penalty for Villa and at last we have someone who can score them - JPA of course, making the job look easy. Unfortunately having had lots of good attacking moves we allowed Bolton a breakaway goal through Ricketts again (buy him!) to set up a nervouse finish as Bolton worked hard to get a point. 9 out of 10 perfomances from Hadji and Angel. Villa were Schmeichel, Delaney, Alpay, Staunton, Wright, Boateng, Hendrie, Kachloul, Hadji, Vassell, Angel. We saw a late appearance of the fit again Paul Merson, more please. Next week we should have Olof back and that should improve our defence considerably, and we'll need it - Newcastle are 6th and playing well.

Other news this week, JLloyd went on a short loan to Gilligham and Hitzelsperger and Stefan Moore ditto to Chesterfield. Can only be a good thing to see how these guys perform in first team shirts. Gareth Barry made noises about wanting to leave due to his non-inclusion in the team. Who can blame him? John, put him in for Wrighty a few times, lets see who can hack it.

3 Nov - Newcastle 3 - 0 Villa I was worried this was going to happen. Villa met an in-form Newcastle today and had little answer to them. Well, we started very brightly, but too brightly probably - taking them to them didn't work out. Newcastle got a breakaway goal after half an hour and from then on it was one way traffic. After about an hour, Gregory took off Angel and Hendrie, bringing on Dublin and Taylor. Playmakers for front players who have defensive qualities, I can only assume he was trying to keep the score down. I wish he wouldn't keep taking Angel off though. Villa drop to third in the table.

17 Nov - Villa 0 -0 Middlesborough A game that saw the return of Gareth Southgate, and very unwelcome he was made to feel. Not that he helped matters much - as Boro captian he won the toss and elected to attack the North End in the first half. Villa started well and Juan hit the bar. Then Hendrie put him clean through and running on the goal when the ref blew. We're on our feet shouting, no way offside. In fact the whistle was for Delaney down at the other end of the field. He was carried off and despite Barry being on the bench, Taylor came on. Surely Stone to drop to right back (Hadji was absent, presumably following mid week world cup duty). Incredibly, Taylor played right back, and didn't seem to know what was expected of him all afternoon. This seemed to break up the flow of the whole team. Through the second half Villa were constantly in Boro's half (Schmiechel wandered up as far as the half way line at times) but no-one was putting the ball in. Eventually the Fat Frenchman came on and did actually make things look a bit more lively. Dissapointingly, the return of Merson is still awaited.

24 Nov - Leeds 1 - 1 Villa A highly competitive game in which Alan Smith was sent off and Lee Hendrie should have been. Leeds opended the scoring after a gaff by Alan Wright who should have put the ball out to touch but instead passed it to schmeichel - but too short. Kachloul equalized 6 minutes later with an acrobatic volley from a Merson free kick. Merson made a read difference on his return today, many times putting dangerous balls into the box. Just what we were lacking last week. There were more chances for both sides but that was the end of the scoring. A good result for Villa, but we need to three points next time.

1 Dec - Villa 0 - 2 Leicester There's not much to say. The usual winter slump is well and truly set in. Villa were bad (Darius even apologised for this after the game). Ginola was sent off. Mark Ansell declared there there is absolutely no money for new players. Alpay, Hadji, Hendrie, Taylor, Scheichel are injured, we've called JLloyd back from loan to help put a team together. I hope this is the lowest ebb we reach.

5 Dec - West Ham 1 - 1 Villa Due to various injuries, Villa were Enkleman, Wright, Staunton, Mellborg, Delaney (Jlloyd from half time), Barry, Boateng, Hendrie, Stone, Merson, Dublin. Dion scored a Stone cross after 1 minute, and the Villa pressure was pretty relentless for the whole of the first half. But one goal is not enough in these situations, we well know. In the second half it was nearly all West Ham. Di Canio put the tamest imaginable penalty right at Peter on 60 minutes. Enkleman 'saved' it although he had time to sign autographs before bending down to pick the ball up. But that didn't get us off the hook, a heartbreaking 93rd minute equaliser levelled the scores. At least Villa had a good spell.

8 Dec - Arsenal 3 - 2 Villa There are good things to be taken from this game. Villa were 2-0 up at half time, and that can't be bad. A lovely chip by Merson, and a whack through a crowded penalty area by Steve Stone. Arsenal had more of the ball, of course, but didn't create any really clear cut chances and Enkleman was well up to what they did throw at him. The second half started badly when Wiltord scored in the first minute, leaving us a long time to hang on. Villa continued to go on attacking runs, and I can't criticise that. But Arsenal did start creating great through balls and on 70 mins a second went in for them. Finally an injury time one on one Henry Vs Enklemen was only going to go one way, and that was that. But at least we know Villa can play well. Gregory has started to make noises that he may have sell Angel to fund other purchases. I really hope this is just ploy to put pressure on Doug.

17 Dec - Villa 2 - 1 Ipswich I said after the Leicester game that I hoped we had reached our lowest ebb. But the first half of this game was even worse, even though we came out of it 1-1. But that one good stike by JPA was the only good thing. George played the worst 45 minutes by any midfielder anywhere at any time. Did he pass to a Villa player at any time? If he did I missed it. Villa were marginally better in the second half and a deflected shot from JPA gave us the most undeserved win of the season. OK, we have some injuries, but there's no excuse for this - guys, get yourselves together.

22 Dec - Derby 3 - 1 Villa This is the end of the line this season for Villa. Losing to a crap Derby side on a week when Liverpool sign Nicolas Anelka. We Cannot Compete. JG had challenged the Villa players to win four games and get back in contention. They fell at the second hurdle. Villa actually didn't play as badly today, and didn't deserve to come away with nothing. But Derby strikers Carbone and Ravanelli were in good form. We had him, we let him go. Oh Dear. Angel with the Villa Goal.

26 Dec - Villa 1 - 2 Liverpool This match saw some much better play from Villa and a bizzare opening goal from Liverpool - Schmeicel's throw out hit the refs backside, and the ball bounced to Litmenan's feet who had an open net. Litmenan later missed a penalty. Villa's goal was scored by some else for a change - Hendrie drilling home a good volley after Angel (ah, he had to be involved) saw his shot hit the crossbar.

29 Dec - Villa 1 - 1 Spurs Villa had much the better of the play in this game and really should have won. But they didn't - indeed Ferdinands firsr half goal nearly won it for Spurs, untill a 93rd minute penalty when Anderton handled Stones cross. Angel, of course, scored from the spot. Villa remain 8th in the table.

1 Jan - Sunderland 1 - 1 Villa A fairly even contest in which both managers claimed after the game they were dissapointed not to have won. Villa scored first through Ian Taylor, and Schmeichel saved Kevin Philip's penalty before Sunderland claimed a late equaliser. Some good Villa pressure ended the game. But Villa remain in dire straits, with Blackburn this week signing Andy Cole, the kind of deal that Villa should be front of the queue for.

12 Jan - Villa 2 - 1 Derby A performance with some promise, but any team with ambition should be wiping the floor with a team as poor as this Derby one. Jlloyd played left back at the expense of little Alan, and he did a pretty good job of it - this was possible because of the return of Delaney on the opposite flank. All players are now fit apart from Alpay and he shouldn't be far away. Villa went up in 10 mins through Vassell, welcome back to scoring Darius. Derby came back thanks to another howler from Schmeichel - he tried to dribble the ball in his own box only to be dispossed by some Derby striker who popped it away. Drop him please JG, he's become a liability. Happily the lead was soon restored by JPA but unhappily that was the end of the scoring. Derby were so unhappy at losing 2-1 away at Villa that they sacked Colin Todd, so we don't seem to be held in any regard by their board, then.

19 Jan - Charlton 1 - 2 Villa Villa had some good pushy spells in this game, and took a first half lead through Vassell although he was late arriving for the ball, even by his standards, and deflection had a lot to do with the goal. JPA made it two with a beautifully taken goal - I thought his second touch had taken the ball too far from him, but he got to it and made the tight angle to bounce it in off the far post. As usual, Villa went all flakey at the end, although Charlton are not a good enough side to really make us pay for that. JPA conceded an 85th minute penalty (that's how deep we were defending) and Schmeichel saved the shot but not the rebound. But Villa could have turned the corner from the winter slump. If we win at home to Everton, that will be 3 on the run. That could provide the impetus to win away a Fulham, and that could lift the spirits enough to beat Chelsea at home. That would be five on the fun and put us a little more in touch with the top 4 spot we want. Now lets see what really happens.

30 Jan - Villa 0 - 0 Everton Well, what did happen is that John Gregory walked out this week, citing breakdown of relations with Doug. So today Stuart Grey was in charge. Villa created a few chances in the first half, but Everton had lots of men behind ball and as we all know Villa are not good at breaking through in these situations. In the second half, Everton got stronger and stronger as they started to think they could get more than the draw. Luckily, Schmeichel is injured so Enkleman was on hand to keep our first clean sheet for 12 games.

2 Feb - Fulham 0 - 0 Villa With JG installed as manager of probably-to-be-relegated-Derby (who won today), we were with Stuart Grey again despite all manner of press speculation. Our new manager could be George Graham, Merse, Alan Curbishley, Graham Taylor, Luther Matheus, Luis Van Gaal, Ray Graydon, Uncle Tom Cobley Etc. No sign of Doug going, despite much protesting and marching of fans. Oh yes, the game. An exact replica of the midweek 0-0. Thanks to Peter Enkleman, no thanks to Stuart Grey.

9 Feb - Villa 1 - 1 Chelsea It was an emotional return for Graham Taylor as he followed the teams out surrounded by press. The Holte end were Graham Taylor's Claret and Blue Army once again. Graham had promised us attacking football going for the wins, even if we risk losing. Villa took a first half lead in a through Paul Merson. Chelsea equalised in the second half but I forget who scored it and hey could well have nicked a winner if Hasslebaink hadn't blasted a sitter wide. Enkleman was competantly deputising and we saw the return of Gareth Barry in a left midfield position. As the second half wore on he started to get his confidence back and look dangerous at times.

23 Feb - Man U 1- 0 Villa. Villa pretty much stalled United out today. While we had lots of attacking players in the side, it was a fairly defensive approach, not surprisingly. Barry was in useful form, as was Jlloyd - and we saw a first appearance, at last, for Thomas Hitzlsperger. He looked fairly handy - getting a shot off soon after he came, and more inclined to play forward than George. Indeed, it was Georges inexplicaple run back towards his own goal that saw him lose the ball to Van Nisleroy, and that was that.

2 Mar - Villa 2 - 1 West Ham. An early penalty conceded by Olof was converted by Di Canio. We will let Olof off though, since he's the best defender we've had since King McGrath. Not long after, a cross from Barry was met in the air by JPA for 1 - 1. Hitz started and played the full 90, getting man of the match, and Jlloyd (rumoured to be attracting interest from Inter) was making good runs too. But despite Villa dominating mutch of the game, it looked like ending in a draw. On 92 minutes, Jlloyd crossed, Darius turned it in in front of a rapturous Holte end - Villa at last got a last minute winner. How many times do we go all flakey at the end and lost points in the last few minutes? No more I hope. A big question right now is why we keep these talented youngsters in the reserves for so long - these guys are stars as soon as they come out on the field - Jlloyd, Hitz, Vassell. Taylor is promisin Bosko some runs out before the end of the season - who knows?

6 Mar - Blackburn 3 - 0 Villa Relegation threatened Blackburn weren't very threatened tonight. The third goal resulting from the now obligatory Schmiechel blunder as he came out of his area to tackle Andy Cole for the ball. You guessed it.

16 Mar - Villa 1 - 2 Arsenal Gareth Barry had a good penalty saved by the in-form Seaman, while at our end Schmiechel was fumbling every ball. Rumours surfaced this week that JG is hunting big Peter for Derby - come quick and get him John. With JPA injured, the strike partnership was Vassell and Merson - why no Bosko? Dion came on later for Merse and it was he who go the Villa Goal.

23 Mar - Ipswich 0 - 0 Villa Another relegation threatened team that Villa failed completely to break down. Vassel and Dublin played up front. At least no goalkeeping blunder, had to happen sooner or later.

30 Mar - Bolton 3 - 2 Villa Villa really lacked the desire to win today, faced with the near certainty that they will get nothing at all from this season. Bolton, on the other hand, fighting for survival. New boy crouch partnered Vassell up front , but the goals came from Ian Taylor (making a rare appearance) and a Warhust own goal. Delaney also found his own net.

1 April - Villa 1 - 1 Newcastle Villa showed more interest in this game against high flying Newcastle. Crouch partnered JPA this time, and got a goal on his home debut.

6 April - Middlesborough 2 - 1 The dismal run continues as Ugo and Carbone score for Boro. Crouch and Angell were the firepower today, JPA getting the goal. Still no return for Alpay at the back, maybe his absence, plus the inexplicable continued presence of Schmeichel is a big part of our problems.

13 April - Villa 0 - 1 Leeds

20 April - Leicester 2 - 2 Villa

27 April - Villa 2 - 1 Southampton Vassell scored both goals

11 May - Chelsea 1 - 3 Villa Goals from Crouch, Vassell, Dublin. Villa Finish 8th. Intertoto again.