2010–11 Aston Villa F.C. season
The 2010–11 Aston Villa F.C. season was Aston Villa's 136th professional season; their 100th season in the top-flight; and their 23rd consecutive season in the top flight of English football, the Premier League. It was also the first (and only) season under French manager Gérard Houllier, who was appointed after previous boss Martin O'Neill resigned on 9 August 2010.[1][2] Despite a generally disappointing season in both the league and cup competitions, a late surge allowed the club to finish in 9th position in the Premier League (3 places lower than their 6th-place finish the previous season).
| 2010–11 season | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Chairman | Randy Lerner | ||
| Manager | Martin O'Neill (until 9 August) Kevin MacDonald (caretaker)(from 9 August to 8 September) Gérard Houllier (from 8 September to 23 April) Gary McAllister (caretaker) (from 23 April to 22 May) | ||
| Stadium | Villa Park | ||
| Premier League | 9th | ||
| FA Cup | Fifth round | ||
| League Cup | Quarter-finals | ||
| UEFA Europa League | Play-off round | ||
| Top goalscorer | League: Darren Bent (9) All: Ashley Young (9) | ||
| Highest home attendance | 42,785 vs Liverpool (22 May 2011) | ||
| Lowest home attendance | 18,753 vs Blackburn Rovers (22 September 2010) | ||
| Average home league attendance | 37,273 (League) 35,548 (All) | ||
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Aston Villa once again competed in the UEFA Europa League, marking their 2nd consecutive season in the tournament and 3rd consecutive season in European competition overall. However, after drawing the away fixture, Aston Villa were eliminated for the second consecutive year in the play-off round, and again at the hands of Rapid Vienna.
This season marked the first time that four West Midlands county clubs performed in the Premier League. Aston Villa once again contested the Second City derby with Birmingham City, who remain in the league, alongside Wolverhampton Wanderers, who also avoided relegation. West Bromwich Albion also join them in the league, meaning that Villa will contest a total of six local derbies throughout the duration of the Premier League season. An additional derby game at Birmingham City took place on 1 December 2010 in the Football League Cup.
Kits
Supplier: Nike / Sponsor: FxPro
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   Away
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Kit information
The home kit for 2010–11 season featured claret socks, but the most conspicuous feature was the checkerboard patterns on the side of the shirts. This was repeated on away kit, which was just a plain black shirt with sky blue trimmings. The three goalkeeper kits were yellow, jade and grey and was based on Nike's zigzag template designed exclusively for big club goalkeepers.
Players
Premier League squad
Players under 21 do not need to be named and can still be used.
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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- Under-21 Players
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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- UEFA Europa League Players
These players were not part of Aston Villa's Premier League squad, but were given squad numbers and selected to play for the club in the UEFA Europa League.[5]
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Squad numbers
Villa's squad numbers for this season were announced on 12 August 2010. The only major changes from the previous year saw defender Stephen Warnock wearing the number 3 shirt which had last belonged to Wilfred Bouma, and Stephen Ireland take over Marlon Harewood's number 9.[3]
Villa's squad numbers were revised ahead of the Premier League fixture at home to Bolton Wanderers on 19 September 2010. Many of the club's young players had their numbers reduced below 30, with the exception of goalkeeper Elliot Parish, who remained at number 43. Andy Marshall retained the number 33 shirt on his return to the club.[6]
Robert Pires took the number 8 shirt on his arrival at the club, which was previously worn by James Milner. Loan signing Kyle Walker received the number 36 shirt, while incoming striker Darren Bent acquired number 39. Newly signed midfielder Jean Makoun took over the number 17 shirt from teammate Moustapha Salifou, who remained without a replacement squad number.[7] Michael Bradley took over the vacant number 13 shirt upon his arrival to Villa on loan from Borussia Mönchengladbach.
Managerial changes
Aston Villa completed their pre-season preparations under former boss Martin O'Neill. However, he resigned from his position as manager on 9 August 2010, just five days before Villa's opening Premier League tie at home to West Ham United. Reserve team coach Kevin MacDonald was appointed as caretaker manager with immediate effect.[1]
MacDonald managed Villa until 8 September 2010, when former Liverpool and Olympique Lyonnais manager Gérard Houllier was officially announced as O'Neill's successor. MacDonald had previously announced his intentions to apply for the position on a full-time basis, however the club opted to sign Houllier instead.[2] MacDonald did however take charge of Villa's next two games, before Houllier officially took the reins on 22 September after fulfilling his duties with the France national team.
On 22 April 2011, Gérard Houllier was taken to hospital with chest pains with the doctors fearing another heart attack (he suffered a heart attack in 2001 while manager of Liverpool). It was later ruled out with the Frenchman ordered to bed rest and medicine.[8] Assistant manager Gary McAllister took charge of Houllier's managerial duties on 23 April for the Premier League match with Stoke City at Villa Park, and it was later revealed that Houllier would not be able to return to the touchline until after the end of the season.[9]
| Date | Outgoing Manager | New Club | Incoming Manager | Previous Team | Notes |
| 9 August 2010 |  |
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| 8 September 2010 | |
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Houllier officially took charge on 22 September 2010. |
Transfers
In
Summer
| Date | Position | Player name | Previous club | League | Transfer fee | Notes |
| 18 August 2010 | MF |  |
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£8 million | Part exchanged for James Milner[10] |
| 3 September 2010 | GK | |
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Free transfer | Player initially released, but rejoined the club on 3 September 2010.[11] |
Winter
| Date | Position | Player name | Previous club | League | Transfer fee | Notes |
| 18 November 2010 | MF | |
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Free transfer | Player unattached following release from Villarreal |
| 15 January 2011 | MF |  |
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Undisclosed fee | Fee believed to be in region of £6 million |
| 18 January 2011 | FW | |
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£18 million | Club record transfer fee, with add-ons potentially rising to £24 million. |
Loans in
Winter
| Date | Position | Player name | New club | League | Duration | Return |
| 6 January 2011[12] | DF | |
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5 months | End of season |
| 31 January 2011[13] | MF |  |
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5 months | End of season |
Trialists
| Date | Position | Player name | Club | League | Return | Notes |
| 28 December 2010 | FW |  |
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18 January 2011 | Had been on trial with a view to a 3-month loan deal. Player was not signed due to work permit issues. |
Out
Summer
| Date | Position | Player name | New club | League | Transfer fee | Notes |
| 1 July 2010[14] | DF |  |
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Free | |
| 1 July 2010[15] | FW | |
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Free | |
| 1 July 2010[16] | GK | |
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Released | Player initially released, but rejoined the club on 3 September 2010.[11] |
| 1 July 2010[17] | DF | |
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Free | |
| 13 July 2010 | GK | |
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Free | Youth player |
| 23 July 2010 | MF | |
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Free | Youth player |
| 9 August 2010 | DF | |
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Undisclosed | |
| 18 August 2010[10] | MF | |
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£26 million | Club record. Stephen Ireland accepted in part exchange |
Winter
| Date | Position | Player name | New club | League | Transfer fee |
| 7 January 2011[18] | FW | |
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Undisclosed |
| 7 January 2011[19] | MF | |
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Undisclosed |
| 28 January 2011[20] | DF | |
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Undisclosed |
Loans out
Summer
| Date | Position | Player name | New club | League | Duration | Return |
| 26 August 2010[21] | FW | |
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5 months | January 2011 |
Winter
| Date | Position | Player name | New club | League | Duration | Return |
| 15 October 2010[22] | DF | |
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1 month | November 2010 |
| 15 October 2010[23] | FW | |
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1 month | November 2010 |
| 10 November 2010[24] | DF | |
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2 months | January 2011 |
| 1 January 2011[25] | GK | |
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2 months | February 2011 |
| 13 January 2011 | DF | .svg.png){kind=small} |
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5 months | End of season |
| 19 January 2011 | FW |  |
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5 months | End of season |
| 21 January 2011 | FW |  |
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5 months | End of season |
| 25 January 2011 | MF | |
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5 Months | End of season |
| 29 January 2011 | DF | |
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5 months | End of season[26] |
| 31 January 2011 | MF | |
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5 months | End of season |
| 31 January 2011 | MF | |
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5 months | End of season |
| 9 February 2011 | DF | |
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1 month | March 2011[27] |
| 26 February 2011 | DF | |
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5 months | End of season[28] |
Spring
| Date | Position | Player name | New club | League | Duration | Return |
| 8 March 2011 | MF | |
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1 month | End of season (recalled in April)[29][30] |
| 8 March 2011 | FW | |
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2 months | End of season (returned in May)[31][32] |
| 8 March 2011 | GK | |
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Short-term emergency loan[33] | May 2011 |
| 25 March 2011 | GK | |
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End of season[34] | May 2011 |
Fixtures and results
Premier League
Villa again competed in the Premier League, after finishing sixth for the third season in a row during 2009–10. The fixtures were officially announced on 17 June 2010.
Results
Results by matchday
| Date | Opponent | Venue | Result | Attendance | Scorers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 August 2010 | West Ham United | H | 3–0 | 36,604 | Downing 14', Petrov 40', Milner 66' |
| 22 August 2010 | Newcastle United | A | 0–6 | 43,546 | |
| 29 August 2010 | Everton | H | 1–0 | 34,725 | L. Young 9' |
| 13 September 2010 | Stoke City | A | 1–2 | 25,899 | Downing 35' |
| 18 September 2010 | Bolton Wanderers | H | 1–1 | 34,655 | A. Young 13' |
| 26 September 2010 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | A | 2–1 | 27,511 | Downing, Heskey |
| 2 October 2010 | Tottenham Hotspur | A | 1–2 | 35,871 | Albrighton |
| 16 October 2010 | Chelsea | H | 0–0 | 40,122 | |
| 23 October 2010 | Sunderland | A | 0–1 | 41,506 | |
| 31 October 2010 | Birmingham City | H | 0–0 | 40,688 | |
| 6 November 2010 | Fulham | A | 1–1 | 25,676 | Albrighton |
| 10 November 2010 | Blackpool | H | 3–2 | 34,330 | Downing, Delfouneso, Collins |
| 13 November 2010 | Manchester United | H | 2–2 | 40,073 | A. Young (p), Albrighton |
| 21 November 2010 | Blackburn Rovers | A | 0–2 | 21,848 | |
| 27 November 2010 | Arsenal | H | 2–4 | 38,544 | Clark (2) |
| 6 December 2010 | Liverpool | A | 0–3 | 39,079 | |
| 11 December 2010 | West Bromwich Albion | H | 2–1 | 37,015 | Downing, Heskey |
| 18 December 2010 | Wigan Athletic | A | P-P | POSTPONED[35] | |
| 26 December 2010 | Tottenham Hotspur | H | 1–2 | 39,411 | Albrighton |
| 28 December 2010 | Manchester City | A | 0–4 | 46,716 | |
| 2 January 2011 | Chelsea | A | 3–3 | 41,222 | A. Young (p), Heskey, Clark |
| 5 January 2011 | Sunderland | H | 0–1 | 32,627 | |
| 16 January 2011 | Birmingham City | A | 1–1 | 22,287 | Collins |
| 22 January 2011 | Manchester City | H | 1–0 | 37,815 | Bent |
| 25 January 2011 | Wigan Athletic | A | 2–1 | 16,442 | Agbonlahor, A.Young (p) |
| 1 February 2011 | Manchester United | A | 1–3 | 75,256 | Bent |
| 5 February 2011 | Fulham | H | 2–2 | 35,899 | Paintsil (o.g.), Walker |
| 12 February 2011 | Blackpool | A | 1–1 | 16,000 | Agbonlahor |
| 26 February 2011 | Blackburn Rovers | H | 4–1 | 34,309 | A. Young (2, 1 p), Hanley (o.g.), Downing |
| 5 March 2011 | Bolton Wanderers | A | 2–3 | 22,533 | Bent, Albrighton |
| 19 March 2011 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | H | 0–1 | 38,965 | |
| 2 April 2011 | Everton | A | 2–2 | 37,619 | Bent (2) |
| 10 April 2011 | Newcastle United | H | 1–0 | 37,090 | Collins |
| 16 April 2011 | West Ham United | A | 2–1 | 33,000 | Bent, Agbonlahor |
| 23 April 2011 | Stoke City | H | 1–1 | 35,232 | Bent |
| 30 April 2011 | West Bromwich Albion | A | 1–2 | 25,889 | Méïté (o.g.) |
| 7 May 2011 | Wigan Athletic | H | 1–1 | 36,293 | A.Young |
| 15 May 2011 | Arsenal | A | 2–1 | 60,023 | Bent (2) |
| 22 May 2011 | Liverpool | H | 1–0 | 42,785 | Downing |
FA Cup
Villa entered the FA Cup at the third round, which is traditionally played in early January.
| Date | Round | Opponent | Venue | Result | Attendance | Scorers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 January 2011 | R3 | Sheffield United | A | 3–1 | 16,888 | Walker, Albrighton, Petrov |
| 29 January 2011 | R4 | Blackburn Rovers | H | 3–1 | 26,067 | Clark, Pires, Delfouneso |
| 2 March 2011 | R5 | Manchester City | A | 0–3 | 27,570 |
League Cup
The club enter the League Cup at the third round as runners-up, after losing in the final of the previous year's tournament to Manchester United.
| Date | Round | Opponent | Venue | Result | Attendance | Scorers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22 September 2010 | R3 | Blackburn Rovers | H | 3–1 | 18,753 | Heskey, A. Young (2) |
| 27 October 2010 | R4 | Burnley | H | 2–1 (aet) | 34,618 | Heskey, Downing |
| 1 December 2010 | QF | Birmingham City | A | 1–2 | 27,679 | Agbonlahor |
UEFA Europa League
Villa will again compete in the UEFA Europa League after finishing sixth in the Premier League of 2009–10. They will enter at the play-off round.
Play-off round
On 6 August 2010, Villa were drawn with Rapid Vienna of Austria in the play-off round, the same team that knocked them out at the same stage the previous season. The first leg of the tie was played away at the Gerhard Hanappi Stadium on 19 August, resulting in a 1–1 draw. The teams met again at Villa Park for the return fixture a week later on 26 August,[36] with the Austrian side progressing once again thanks to a 3–2 win.
| Date | Round | Opponent | Venue | Result | Attendance | Scorers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19 August 2010 | Play-off round (1) | |
A | 1–1 | 16,891 | Bannan |
| 26 August 2010 | Play-off round (2) | |
H | 2–3 | 29,980 | Agbonlahor, Heskey |
| Rapid Vienna win 4–3 on aggregate. | ||||||
Friendly matches
| Date | Opponent | Venue | Result | Attendance | Scorer(s) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18 July 2010 | Basingstoke Town | A | 1–2 | Burke | "Aston Villa XI" match | |
| 19 July 2010 | Peterborough United | A | 3–2 | 1,500 | A. Young, Carew, Lichaj | |
| 24 July 2010 | |
A | 1–2 | Carew | ||
| 26 July 2010 | Chasetown | A | 0–0 | 600 (est.) | "Aston Villa XI" match | |
| 27 July 2010 | Walsall | A | 2–1 | 5,735 | Weimann (2) | |
| 6 August 2010 | |
H | 0–0 | |||
| 24 August 2010 | Burton Albion | H | 5–0 | 0 | Forrester (2), Agbonlahor, Delfouneso, Collins Jnr | Behind-closed-doors friendly at Villa's Bodymoor Heath Training Ground |
| 28 September 2010 | Birmingham City | A | 0–0 | 0 | Behind-closed-doors friendly at Birmingham City's Wast Hills Training Ground | |
Guadiana Trophy
Villa played in the Guadiana Trophy in the summer as part of their pre-season preparations. The fixtures of this tournament were announced on 20 May 2010.[37] All games were played at the Complexo Desportivo de Vila Real de Santo António in Vila Real de Santo António, Portugal.[37]
As there were only three teams in this year's edition of the Guadiana Trophy, a penalty shootout was carried out at the end of each fixture to make sure that a clear winner could be selected.[38] A penalty shootout was not played in the fixture against Benfica as their win marked them outright tournament winners.
Villa finished second out of third in the tournament.
| Date | Day of Tournament | Opponent | Venue | Result | Scorers (Normal Time) | Penalty Shootout Result | Scorers (Penalty Shootout) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31 July 2010 | Day 2 | |
N | 3–1 | Albrighton, Heskey, Sidwell | (4–4) | (Carew, Bannan, Shorey, Sidwell) |
| 1 August 2010 | Day 3 |  |
N | 1–4 | Carew |
Goalscorers
Players with the same number of goals are listed alphabetically
Players highlighted in light grey denote the player had scored for the club before leaving for another club
Players highlighted in light cyan denote the player has scored for the club after arriving at Aston Villa during the season
Players highlighted in Blonde denote the player has scored for the club before leaving the club on loan for part/the rest of the season
| Player | Premier League | FA Cup | League Cup | Europa League | Total |
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| Total Goals | |||||
End of Season Awards
| Winner | Award | Runners-Up/Other Nominees |
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FxPro Top Star Award | |
| Fiat Supporters' Player of the Season | ||
| Vodafone Players' Player of the Season | ||
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Supporters' Young Player of the Season | – |
| Terrace Trophy | ||
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Players' Young Player of the Year | |
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Goal of the Season | |
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Aston Villa Former Players' Association Player of the Season | – |
Sponsorship
In June 2010, it was revealed on Aston Villa's official website that a new sponsorship deal with Cyprus-based company FxPro Financial Services Limited that will run from 2010 until 2013. The deal, described as "the biggest in the club's history", will replace the charity sponsorship that Aston Villa had with Acorns Children's Hospice for the previous two seasons. However, this partnership will still continue as Acorns have been named as the official charity partner of the club.[39] However, in February 2011 it was announced that Aston Villa and FxPro had agreed to terminate the deal at the end of the season by mutual consent.[40]
References
- "Club Statement: Martin O'Neill". Aston Villa F.C. 9 August 2010. Retrieved 9 August 2010.
- "Gérard Houllier appointed Villa manager". Aston Villa F.C. 8 September 2010. Retrieved 8 September 2010.
- "Squad numbers announced for new campaign". Aston Villa F.C. 12 August 2010. Archived from the original on 9 April 2018. Retrieved 12 August 2010.
- "Squad list". Aston Villa F.C. Archived from the original on 17 August 2009. Retrieved 20 August 2009.
- "UEFA Europa League 2010/11 - History - Aston Villa – UEFA.com". Archived from the original on 13 April 2014. Retrieved 7 April 2018.
- Aston Villa News & Record: Official Matchday Programme – Vs Bolton Wanderers, Saturday 18 September 2010
- http://world.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2274102,00.html%5B%5D
- "Premier League football news from the Barclays Premier League – Houllier won't need surgery". 3 March 2016. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 7 April 2018.
- "Houllier to sit out run-in". Sky Sports.
- "Stephen Ireland signs". Aston Villa F.C. 18 August 2010. Retrieved 18 August 2010.
- "Andy Marshall rejoins Villa". Aston Villa F.C. 3 September 2010. Retrieved 3 September 2010.
- "Villa sign defender Walker on loan until end of the season". Aston Villa F.C. 6 January 2011. Retrieved 6 January 2011.
- "Bradley checks in at Villa after agreeing loan move". Aston Villa F.C. 31 January 2011. Retrieved 31 January 2011.
- Departure initially announced on 6 May 2010.
- Departure from Aston Villa initially announced on 7 May 2010. However, he did not join Blackpool until 11 August 2010.
- Departure initially announced on 6 June 2010.
- Departure initially announced on 23 June 2010.
- "Collins and Wright move to Shrews". BBC News. 7 January 2011.
- "Premier League football news from the Barclays Premier League – Sidwell completes Fulham switch". 4 March 2016. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 7 April 2018.
- "Latest News – Davies makes cross-city switch to Birmingham". world.avfc.co.uk. Retrieved 7 April 2018.
- "Forrester makes loan switch to Kilmarnock". Aston Villa F.C. 26 August 2010. Retrieved 26 August 2010.
- "Davies joins Leicester on loan". Aston Villa F.C. 15 October 2010. Retrieved 15 October 2010.
- "James Collins joins Burton Albion from Aston Villa". BBC Sport. 15 October 2010. Retrieved 15 October 2010.
- "Davies extends Foxes loan spell". Aston Villa F.C. 10 November 2010. Retrieved 10 November 2010.
- "Guzan joins Tigers on loan for one month". Aston Villa F.C. 1 January 2011. Retrieved 1 January 2011.
- "Latest News – Halfhuid joins Dutch side Volendam on loan". world.avfc.co.uk. Retrieved 7 April 2018.
- "Leeds sign Villa's Lichaj on loan". BBC News. 9 February 2011.
- "Villa defender heads to Kettering". BBC News. 23 February 2011.
- "Premier League football news from the Barclays Premier League – Bannan makes Leeds switch". 4 March 2016. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 7 April 2018.
- "Latest News – Midfield ace Bannan recalled from Leeds loan spell". world.avfc.co.uk. Retrieved 7 April 2018.
- "Clarets land Delfouneso". Sky Sports. 8 March 2011.
- "Nathan Delfouneso returns to Aston Villa". Retrieved 7 April 2018.
- "Latest News – Loan watch: Fast start for Delfouneso as he scores past Guzan". world.avfc.co.uk. Retrieved 7 April 2018.
- "Latest News – Goalkeeper Parish makes loan move to Lincoln". world.avfc.co.uk. Retrieved 7 April 2018.
- "Wigan game OFF but Villa Park festive parties continue as planned – Latest News – Aston Villa". 22 January 2011. Archived from the original on 22 January 2011. Retrieved 7 April 2018.
- "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 23 September 2015. Retrieved 10 April 2014.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
- "Guadiana Cup". Aston Villa F.C. Archived from the original on 22 May 2010. Retrieved 10 April 2014.
- "Guadiana Cup 2010 Preview – Aston Villa Central". 31 July 2010. Retrieved 7 April 2018.
- "Latest News – Villa's New Partner". world.avfc.co.uk. Archived from the original on 8 April 2018. Retrieved 7 April 2018.
- Evans, Gregg (26 February 2011). "Aston Villa search for a shirt sponsor after deal with FX Pro comes to an end". Retrieved 7 April 2018.