Nathan Baker

Nathan Luke Baker (born 23 April 1991) is an English professional footballer who plays as a central defender for Championship club Bristol City. Baker is a product of the Aston Villa Academy and had loan spells at Lincoln City and Millwall and Bristol City. He has represented England at U19, U20, and U21 levels.

For American soccer player and coach, see Nate Baker.

Nathan Baker
Baker playing for Aston Villa in 2014
Personal information
Full name Nathan Luke Baker[1]
Date of birth (1991-04-23) 23 April 1991
Place of birth Worcester, England
Height 6 ft 2 in (1.89 m)[2]
Playing position(s) Centre back / Left back
Club information
Current team
 Bristol City
Number 6
Youth career
2004–2009 Aston Villa
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2009–2017 Aston Villa 111 (1)
2009–2010 → Lincoln City (loan) 18 (0)
2011 → Millwall (loan) 6 (0)
2015–2016 → Bristol City (loan) 36 (1)
2017– Bristol City 84 (1)
National team
2008–2010 England U19 9 (0)
2011 England U20 4 (0)
2011–2013 England U21[3] 3 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 22:25, 29 July 2020 (UTC)

Club career

Aston Villa

Early career

Baker signed for Aston Villa as a 13-year-old in 2004, and rose through the ranks at the club, making his Academy debut in 2007. He was a pivotal figure in the centre of defence alongside Ciaran Clark in the 2007–08 season, as Villa clinched the national title, defeating Manchester City . Baker finished the season with 1 goal from 23 appearances for the Academy team, and 2 goals from 7 appearances for the Reserves, who also tasted success by clinching the Premier Reserve League South.

The defender progressed to the first-team in the summer of 2008 by making the squad for the tour of Switzerland, of which Baker played in both matches against FC Wil and FC Zürich. In July 2008, Baker was named on the bench for the second leg of the UEFA Intertoto Cup tie against Odense Boldklub. A week later he was again named on the bench, this time for the trip to Icelandic side Fimleikafélag Hafnarfjarðar in the Second qualifying round of the UEFA Cup.

On 23 October 2009, Baker signed for Lincoln City on a month-long loan deal alongside fellow defender Eric Lichaj. Lincoln City manager and former Aston Villa striker Chris Sutton handed Baker his league debut at Sincil Bank on 24 October 2009, in a 0–0 draw with Torquay United. Baker impressed at Lincoln, and his loan deal was eventually extended to the end of the 2009–10 season.[4]

Baker was banned from attending Aston Villa's League Cup final against Manchester United at Wembley Stadium on 28 February 2010 after being caught trying to sell his allocation of tickets via the social networking website Facebook. The 18-year-old defender attempted to sell five tickets at a price of £200 each, but later said that he regretted his actions.[5][6]

2010–11 season

Baker was brought in to the Aston Villa squad for the derby match against Birmingham City on 16 January 2011. He was an unused substitute as Villa drew 1–1.[7] Baker made his starting debut against Wigan Athletic on 25 January 2011 at DW Stadium. On 29 January 2011, his second ever start, Baker gained an assist for the third goal but was then sent off for a dangerous tackle in an FA Cup Fourth Round tie against Blackburn Rovers. On 26 February, Baker made his second league start for Villa against Blackburn Rovers, but went off injured in the first half after a collision with goal keeper Paul Robinson. Villa announced on 2 June 2011 that Baker had signed a new three-year contract with the club.[8]

2011–12 season

On 22 November he joined Millwall on a one-month loan deal.[9] He was assigned the squad number 27 and made his debut four days later, helping Millwall keep a clean sheet against Crystal Palace.[10] He made six league appearances before his loan spell ended in December with a 1–0 win against Portsmouth on 26 December being his last game.[11] He returned to Villa and made his first appearance of the season coming on as a late sub for Richard Dunne against Manchester City on 12 February.[12]

2012–13 season

During the 2012–13 season, Baker established himself as a centre back with great aerial ability. Due to an injury to Ron Vlaar, Baker was partnered with fellow academy graduate Ciaran Clark and impressed during a difficult spell where Villa conceded many goals. On occasion he also played at left back in the absence of Joe Bennett. On 9 March, manager Paul Lambert praised his maturity for producing another outstanding performance after slicing the ball into his own net to give Reading a first-half lead.[13] In May 2013 Baker signed a new three-year deal with Aston Villa which would keep him there until 2016.

2013–14 season

Baker made his first appearance against Arsenal, before getting subbed off due to injury in the 17th minute. He missed the next games against Chelsea, Liverpool and Newcastle before making his return to the squad as an unused substitute against Norwich. He made his full return starting at Villa Park in a dramatic 3–2 win over Manchester City, before being dropped to the bench against Hull. After that, Baker and Vlaar were Paul Lambert's preferred defensive partnership, however, due to Vlaar's constant injury problems, Baker was often partnered with fellow academy graduate, Ciaran Clark.

2014–15 season

Although Baker was a regular throughout the 2013–14 season, Baker was an unused substitute against Villa's opening fixture, a 1–0 Victory against Stoke. He made his first appearance of the season as an 82' minute substitution for Aly Cissokho. After injury ruled captain, Ron Vlaar out, Baker made his first start against Liverpool, putting in a great performance alongside Philippe Senderos, keeping a clean sheet in a 1–0 victory. He was set to start against Arsenal, however, like many of his teammates suffered from an illness and was left out of the squad. Baker went on to start against Chelsea, Manchester City and Everton. He wasn't included in the squad against Queens Park Rangers, before starting against Spurs. On 8 November 2014, during the 0–0 draw against West Ham United, Baker picked up a knee injury. After a long lay off, Baker was an unused substitute Leicester before starting against Liverpool on 17 January 2015.

2015–16 season

On 31 July 2015, Baker ended transfer speculation when he signed a new four-year contract with the club.[14]

On 1 September 2015, Baker joined Bristol City on a season-long loan.[15]

2016–17 season

Following Aston Villa's relegation from the Premier League, Baker returned to Aston Villa. Under Roberto Di Matteo, Baker often found himself behind the club's new arrivals Tommy Elphick and James Chester, being used as a substitute. Following an injury to Elphick, and the replacement of Matteo for Steve Bruce, Baker formed an impressive partnership with Chester. On 19 November, Baker scored his first goal for Aston Villa against Brighton and Hove Albion, heading in an Albert Adomah delivery. The match ended 1–1.

Bristol City

2017–18 season

On 28 July 2017, Baker joined Bristol City for an undisclosed fee on a four-year deal.[16]

International career

Baker has represented England at under-19, under-20 and under-21 level. He made his debut for the under-19 side on 18 November 2008 as they beat Germany 1–0. He made 9 appearances for the under-19's and was part of the England squad at the 2011 under-20 World Cup, playing in all of England's games at the tournament. He made his debut for the under-21 squad in 2011 against Iceland in Preston. His other two caps came in wins against Israel and Norway during 2013 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship qualification.

Career statistics
As of match played 15 July 2020
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Aston Villa 2009–10[17] Premier League 0000000000
2010–11[18] Premier League 4010000050
2011–12[19] Premier League 800000—80
2012–13[20] Premier League 2601030—300
2013–14[21] Premier League 3000010—310
2014–15[22] Premier League 1101010—130
2015–16[23] Premier League 000010—10
2016–17[24] Championship 3211010—341
Aston Villa total 11114070001221
Lincoln City (loan) 2009–10[17] League Two 180000000180
Millwall (loan) 2011–12[19] Championship 600000—60
Bristol City (loan) 2015–16[23] Championship 3612000—381
Bristol City 2017–18[25] Championship 3400041—381
2018–19[26] Championship 1601000—170
2019–20[27] Championship 3412010—371
Bristol City total 12025051—1303
Career total 255390121002764
gollark: Apiotachohazards, which are fast.
gollark: Apioaichmalotohazards, which are prisoners of war.
gollark: Apeiopeithohazards, which use persuasion!
gollark: Apioeireonhazards, which... attack with peace?
gollark: Cool.

References
  1. "Club list of registered players: As at 19th May 2018: Bristol City" (PDF). English Football League. p. 9. Retrieved 16 June 2018.
  2. "PAGE NOT FOUND!". Archived from the original on 6 March 2011.
  3. The FA.com – Nathan Baker's Profile Retrieved 1 December 2016.
  4. "Imps keep Baker to end of season". BBC News. 21 January 2010.
  5. "Villa ban youth player from final". BBC News. 5 February 2010.
  6. "Football News – all the latest breaking football stories – Mirror Online".
  7. "Birmingham 1–1 Aston Villa". BBC News. 16 January 2011.
  8. "Baker agrees new three-year Villa deal". Aston Villa F.C. 2 June 2011. Archived from the original on 6 June 2011. Retrieved 2 June 2011.
  9. "Aston Villa defender Nathan Baker loaned to Millwall". BBC Sport. 22 November 2011. Retrieved 12 February 2012.
  10. "Crystal Palace 0–0 Millwall" BBC Sport. 26 November 2011. Retrieved 12 February 2012.
  11. "Millwall 1–0 Portsmouth" BBC Sport. 26 December 2011. Retrieved 12 February 2012.
  12. "Aston Villa 0–1 Man City" BBC Sport. 12 February 2012. Retrieved 12 February 2012.
  13. Brown, Paul (10 March 2013). "Reading 1–2 Villa: Lambert – Baker was exceptional after own-goal". Aston Villa F.C. Archived from the original on 23 September 2015. Retrieved 30 August 2014.
  14. "Nathan Baker pens new deal". Aston Villa. 31 July 2015. Archived from the original on 1 August 2015. Retrieved 31 July 2015.
  15. "Nathan Baker: Bristol City sign Aston Villa defender on loan".
  16. "BAKER COMPLETES CITY SWITCH". Bristol City F.C.
  17. "Games played by Nathan Baker in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 11 October 2017.
  18. "Games played by Nathan Baker in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 11 October 2017.
  19. "Games played by Nathan Baker in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 11 October 2017.
  20. "Games played by Nathan Baker in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 11 October 2017.
  21. "Games played by Nathan Baker in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 11 October 2017.
  22. "Games played by Nathan Baker in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 11 October 2017.
  23. "Games played by Nathan Baker in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 11 October 2017.
  24. "Games played by Nathan Baker in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 11 October 2017.
  25. "Games played by Nathan Baker in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 7 May 2018.
  26. "Games played by Nathan Baker in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 31 March 2019.
  27. "Games played by Nathan Baker in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 18 August 2019.
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