2012–13 Aston Villa F.C. season

English football club season April 2014 April 2014 Aston Villa Villa Park 2012–13 Reform Acquisitions LLC Paul Lambert Manager Randy Lerner Chairman Premier League 15th FA Cup Fourth round League Cup Semi-finals Christian Benteke (19) Christian Benteke (23) 42,084 (12 May 2013 vs Chelsea, Premier League) 15,319 (28 August 2012 vs Tranmere Rovers, League Cup) _avfc1213h _avfc1213h _avfc1213h _avfc1213h _avfc1213h 77BBFF 96101b 77BBFF FFFFFF 77BBFF _avfc1213a _avfc1213a _avfc1213a _avfc1213a _avfc1213a BFFF00 BFFF00 BFFF00 00012e 00012e 2011–12 2013–14 Recent history of Aston Villa Aston Villa records and statistics The 2012-13 season was Aston Villa's 21st season in the Premier League. The 2012–13 Premier League season was the club's 102nd season in the top flight, and 25th consecutive season in the Premier League. The club was managed by Paul Lambert, their third manager in three seasons, after Alex McLeish was sacked on 14 May 2012, having himself only been in charge for 11 months and 4 days.Alex McLeish sacked as Aston Villa manager https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/18056282 BBC Sport British Broadcasting Corporation 14 May 2012Aston Villa appoint Paul Lambert from Norwich City as new boss https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/18307066 BBC Sport British Broadcasting Corporation 2 June 2012 Lambert's first competitive match came on the opening day of the Premier League season on 18 August 2012, a 1–0 defeat to newly promoted West Ham United at Upton Park.https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/19221467 West Ham 1–0 Aston Villa BBC Sport 18 August 2012 18 May 2013 Their first Premier League win came on 15 September 2012, a 2–0 victory against Swansea City at Villa Park.https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/19528067 Aston Villa 2–0 Swansea BBC Sport 15 September 2012 18 May 2013 Lambert was handed a one-match touchline ban on 21 November 2012 for comments relating to a penalty decision in Villa's defeat to Manchester City.https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/20426005 Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert given one-match touchline ban BBC Sport 21 November 2012 18 May 2013 On his first return to Carrow Road, Lambert received a mixed reception from the Norwich fans on 11 December 2012 in a League Cup quarter-final which his Villa team won 4–1.https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/20590506 Norwich 1–4 Aston Villa BBC Sport 11 December 2012 18 May 2013 On 23 December 2012, Villa were defeated 8–0 against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, the club's heaviest ever defeat in top-flight football.https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/20745787 Chelsea 8–0 Aston Villa BBC Sport 23 December 2012 18 May 2013 This was followed by consecutive home defeats, with Villa losing 4–0 to Tottenham Hotspur and 3–0 to Wigan Athletic, leading to increased pressure on Lambert's position.https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/20779178 Aston Villa 0–4 Tottenham BBC Sport 26 December 2012 5 January 2013https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/20823064 Aston Villa 0–3 Wigan BBC Sport 29 December 2012 5 January 2013 On 22 January 2013, Villa played Bradford City in the second leg of the League Cup semi-final at Villa Park, having lost the first round tie 3–1 at Valley Parade. The final score on the night was a 2–1 win for Villa, leaving an aggregate score of 4–3 to Bradford.https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/21022502 Aston Villa 2–1 Bradford (3–4) BBC Sport 22 January 2013 7 April 2013 Lambert kept his job despite the poor run as the team flirted with the relegation places continuously over the next few months. Lambert did however manage to get Villa to record back-to-back wins for the first time since May 2011, as they defeated fellow relegation rivals Reading and Queens Park Rangers.https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/21639183 Reading 1–2 Aston Villa BBC Sport 9 March 2013 7 April 2013https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/21724358 Aston Villa 3–2 QPR BBC Sport 16 March 2013 7 April 2013 He then oversaw the club's biggest victory since 2008, as Villa thrashed Sunderland 6–1.https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/22244165 Aston Villa 6–1 Sunderland BBC Sport 29 April 2013 23 May 2013 Villa finished 15th with the youngest starting eleven in the Premier League, leading to praise from pundit Alan Hansen, who said that Lambert was "a contender for "Manager of the Season."http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/aston-villa-paul-lambert-created-3902085 Lambo puts a spring in Villa's step Birmingham Mail 21 May 2013 23 May 2013 Highlights of the season included Lambert's summer acquisition of star striker Christian Benteke, the introduction of Villa's Player of the Season, goalkeeper Brad Guzan, reaching the semi-finals of the League Cup and securing Villa's place in the Premier League for the 2013–14 season. An under-21 Aston Villa team competed in the new Professional Development League 1 that replaced the Premier Reserve League.Prem announce U21s competition http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11095/7960345/Prem-announce-U21s-competition Sky Sports 3 August 2012 9 August 2012 The under-19 Aston Villa team once again took part in the NextGen Series, after competing in the inaugural season and reaching the quarter finals.Dates revealed for Villa's NextGen Series group stage fixtures http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2873922,00.html avfc.co.uk Aston Villa Football Club 7 August 2012 9 August 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120808133408/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2873922,00.html 8 August 2012 dead dmy-all The team went all the way to win the competition to become only the second team to be crowned NextGen champions.http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~3128729,00.html Villa U19 2–0 Chelsea U19: European glory for Villa young guns avfc.co.uk Aston Villa Football Club 1 April 2013 2 April 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20130404235002/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~3128729,00.html 4 April 2013 dead dmy-all http://www.nextgenseries.com/FixturesResultsTables/Results/01-April/Aston-Villa-vs-Chelsea/Match-Report Match Report nextgenseries.com The NextGen Series 1 April 2013 2 April 2012 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20130404100043/http://www.nextgenseries.com/FixturesResultsTables/Results/01-April/Aston-Villa-vs-Chelsea/Match-Report 4 April 2013 Review Pre-season thumb|upright|left|Brett Holman's transfer was announced in mid-March 2012. The club began making plans for pre-season as early as 12 March 2012, when the free transfer of Australian Brett Holman was announced, with the player officially joining on 1 July after his deal with former club AZ expired.http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2656087,00.html Australia star Holman agrees to join Villa in the summer avfc.co.uk Aston Villa Football Club 12 March 2012 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20120314055630/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10265~2656087%2C00.html 14 March 2012 dmy-all Later that month, the club announced a pre-season tour of the United States that would see them travelling to Chicago, Philadelphia and Portland.http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2696527,00.html Villa announce US tour as part of 2012–13 pre-season plans avfc.co.uk Aston Villa Football Club 27 March 2012 6 May 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120429172233/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2696527,00.html 29 April 2012 dead dmy-all Following the conclusion of the previous season, Alex McLeish was sacked as manager on 14 May 2012 as a direct result – after Villa finished 16th in the league. Managerless Villa then released a number of players on 23 May 2012 after their contracts had expired. First team players released included Carlos Cuéllar, Emile Heskey and Brad Guzan, as well as a host of academy players.http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2786007,00.html Senior trio Guzan, Heskey and Cuellar head Villa released list avfc.co.uk Aston Villa Football Club 23 May 2012 23 May 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120525161142/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2786007,00.html 25 May 2012 dead dmy-all Villa hired Paul Lambert as their new manager on 2 June 2012, after the manager had impressed during his three-year spell at Norwich City. The move was endorsed by players and fans alike who, after the disappointing previous season, saw this as a major positive step for the club.Aston Villa fans welcome Paul Lambert: Leave your comments for the new Villa boss http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-sport/aston-villa-fc/aston-villa-news/2012/06/02/aston-villa-fans-welcome-paul-lambert-leave-your-comments-for-the-new-villa-boss-97319-31099845/ birminghammail.net Birmingham Mail 2 June 2012 16 August 2012 5 June 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120605063053/http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-sport/aston-villa-fc/aston-villa-news/2012/06/02/aston-villa-fans-welcome-paul-lambert-leave-your-comments-for-the-new-villa-boss-97319-31099845/ dead Aston Villa striker Darren Bent impressed with manager Paul Lambert's approach https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/aston-villa/9461039/Aston-Villa-striker-Darren-Bent-impressed-with-manager-Paul-Lamberts-approach.html telegraph.co.uk The Telegraph 8 August 2012 16 August 2012 Lambert set about making the job his, by appointing his two trusted allies: Ian Culverhouse, who became the new Villa Assistant Manager, and Gary Karsa, who was given a new role of "head of football operations" from old club Norwich as they were deemed surplus to requirements by Lambert's replacement, Chris Hughton.Aston Villa: Ian Culverhouse and Gary Karsa set to join Paul Lambert at Villa Park http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-sport/aston-villa-fc/aston-villa-news/2012/07/03/aston-villa-ian-culverhouse-and-gary-karsa-set-to-join-paul-lambert-at-villa-park-97319-31311521/ birmighammail.net Birmingham Mail 3 July 2012 16 August 2012 7 July 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120707182016/http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-sport/aston-villa-fc/aston-villa-news/2012/07/03/aston-villa-ian-culverhouse-and-gary-karsa-set-to-join-paul-lambert-at-villa-park-97319-31311521/ dead Long-time staff member Kevin MacDonald, who had been with the club since 1995 in a number of roles, most recently as reserve team manager but former caretaker manager in 2010, left the club on 9 June 2012. On his departure, MacDonald stated, "I've had an incredible 17 years at Aston Villa, one of the biggest clubs in the country, and wish to thank all the staff and players I have worked with during my time at the club. I wish Aston Villa every success in the future."Long-time club servant MacDonald to leave Villa http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2806874,00.html avfc.co.uk Aston Villa Football Club 9 June 2012 16 August 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120905134039/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2806874,00.html 5 September 2012 dead dmy-all thumb|upright|Ron Vlaar – Villa's fourth signing of the summer and new captain for the season. Lambert made his first signing a month into his reign (2 July) at Villa, when he signed Moroccan midfielder Karim El Ahmadi from Feyenoord for an undisclosed fee, reported to be £2 million. El Ahmadi stated before his arrival that joining the club, and playing in the Premier League, would be a "dream come true" and that he was looking forward to "dictating games" for Villa.http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-sport/aston-villa-fc/aston-villa-news/2012/06/26/karim-el-ahmadi-says-move-to-aston-villa-would-be-dream-come-true-97319-31266443/ Karim El Ahmadi says move to Aston Villa would be dream come true birminghammail.net Birmingham Mail 26 June 2012 16 August 2012 30 June 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120630011505/http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-sport/aston-villa-fc/aston-villa-news/2012/06/26/karim-el-ahmadi-says-move-to-aston-villa-would-be-dream-come-true-97319-31266443/ dead http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2829231,00.html El Ahmadi relishing "dictating games" after completing move to Villa avfc.co.uk Aston Villa Football Club 2 July 2012 2 July 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120704192544/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2829231,00.html 4 July 2012 dead dmy-all Four days later (6 July), Lambert made his second summer signing when young defender Matthew Lowton joined for an undisclosed fee, reported to be £3 million from Sheffield Unitedhttp://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2834048,00.html Lowton completes switch to Villa from Sheffield United avfc.co.uk Aston Villa Football Club 6 July 2012 6 July 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120707025038/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2834048,00.html 7 July 2012 dead dmy-all Following his move to Villa, Lowton stated that he hoped to emulate former Sheffield United player Phil Jagielka in reaching the England squad.Aston Villa's Matt Lowton aims to emulate Phil Jagielka https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/18767939 BBC Sport British Broadcasting Corporation 9 July 2012 12 July 2012 The new manager announced on 16 July that the club would be re-signing Brad Guzan on a three-year deal, after he was previously released in May.http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2850688,00.html Goalkeeper Guzan signs new three-year-deal with Villa avfc.co.uk Aston Villa Football Club 16 July 2012 16 July 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120718191733/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2850688,00.html 18 July 2012 dead dmy-all Lambert later stated that he had re-signed Guzan so that he could challenge Shay Given for the number one spot, and Guzan backed this up by declaring he had not returned to sit on the bench.http://www.birminghampost.net/midlands-birmingham-sport/west-midlands-sports/aston-villa-fc/2012/08/09/equal-opportunities-for-brad-guzan-and-shay-given-at-aston-villa-65233-31586754/ Equal opportunities for Brad Guzan and Shay Given at Aston Villa birminghampost.net Birmingham Post 9 August 2012 16 August 2012 14 August 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120814135651/http://www.birminghampost.net/midlands-birmingham-sport/west-midlands-sports/aston-villa-fc/2012/08/09/equal-opportunities-for-brad-guzan-and-shay-given-at-aston-villa-65233-31586754/ dead 1 August 2012 saw two transfers at the club – one in, one out – as James Collins returned to his former club West Ham United for £2.5 million, to pave the way for Villa to recruit central defender Ron Vlaar from Feyenoord – the second player of the summer to join Villa from the Rotterdam club (after El Ahmadi) and the third from the Eredivisie (after El Ahmadi and Holman). The club again announced the transfer as an undisclosed fee but the media reported the deal to be worth about £3 million. Vlaar immediately declared his ambition to become a Villa great and aimed to become a club legend in central defence, just as Paul McGrath and Martin Laursen had done so previously.http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2867601,00.html avfc.co.uk Aston Villa Football Club Defender Collins leaves Villa to rejoin former club West Ham 1 August 2012 1 August 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20150923205809/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2867601,00.html 23 September 2015 dead dmy-all http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2867916,00.html Vlaar aims to follow in footsteps of Laursen and McGrath after joining Villa avfc.co.uk Aston Villa Football Club 1 August 2012 1 August 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120802234255/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2867916,00.html 2 August 2012 dead dmy-all It was announced that Darren Bent would become Villa's new club captain whilst Stiliyan Petrov was absent, recovering from acute leukaemia.https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1424179-aston-villa-snubbed-again-darren-bent-reportedly-storms-out-of-villa-park Aston Villa: Snubbed Again, Darren Bent Reportedly Storms Out of Villa Park Bleacher Report Villa's schedule saw them kick off their pre-season at Burton Albion on 14 July, with the Villans winning 2–1 thanks to an own goal and a debut goal for Brett Holman.http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2849488,00.html Match report: Burton Albion 1–2 Villa avfc.co.uk Aston Villa Football Club 14 July 2012 14 July 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120717002321/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2849488,00.html 17 July 2012 dead dmy-all The Villa squad then made their way to the US for their tour with matches against Philadelphia Union, Chicago Fire and Portland Timbers. The first two games resulted in 1–0 victories for Villa, with Nathan Delfouneso and Gabriel Agbonlahor getting the goals against Philadelphia and Chicago respectively.http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2853449,00.html USA Tour match report: Philadelphia Union 0–1 Villa avfc.co.uk Aston Villa Football Club 19 July 2012 19 July 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120720073339/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2853449,00.html 20 July 2012 dead dmy-all http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2856677,00.html USA Tour match report: Chicago Fire 0–1 Villa avfc.co.uk Aston Villa Football Club 22 July 2012 22 July 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120724181417/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2856677,00.html 24 July 2012 dead dmy-all The final game turned out to be a dramatic 2–2 draw with the Villa goals scored by defenders Ciaran Clark and new boy Matthew Lowton, who chalked up his first goal for the Claret and Blues. Ironically, both Villa goals came from set pieces, a feat Villa failed to achieve in the entirety of the last season. The Timbers equalised twice with goals from Sebastián Rincón and Rodney Wallace, which sent the game into a penalty shootout (a tradition for pre-season games in the U.S.). Villa eventually ran out winners after a tense 5–4 shootout win.http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2859911,00.html USA Tour match report: Timbers 2–2 Villa (Villa win on pens) avfc.co.uk Aston Villa Football Club 25 July 2012 25 July 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120727014248/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2859911,00.html 27 July 2012 dead dmy-all The squad returned to England after staying undefeated in their tour and played their next friendly six days later against Peterborough United. The club continued their unbeaten pre-season record by recording a 2–0 win, courtesy of goals from youngster Daniel Johnson and a second goal for the club for Brett Holman.http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2868671,00.html? Pre-season match report: Peterborough 0–2 Villa avfc.co.uk Aston Villa Football Club 1 August 2012 1 August 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120804170216/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2868671,00.html 4 August 2012 dead dmy-all Lambert and his new look Villa side eventually suffered defeat in the next match, a 1–3 defeat by Nottingham Forest. Barry Bannan's free kick, which levelled the scores at 1–1, was not enough for the Villa after two goals from Lewis McGugan and a killer third from Marcus Tudgay sealed victory for the Championship side.http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2871591,00.html Pre-season match report: Nottingham Forest 3–1 Villa avfc.co.uk Aston Villa Football Club 4 August 2012 5 August 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120806030244/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2871591,00.html 6 August 2012 dead dmy-all The last fixture in their pre-season schedule saw Villa travel to Germany for a friendly against four-time Bundesliga champions Werder Bremen. The match was the final chance for Lambert to test out his new squad and hopefully decide his starting line up for the opening fixture against West Ham a week later. An exhilarating match that brought six goals in a 3–3 draw saw Villa lose the lead twice after initially being 1–0 down and Darren Bent grabbing a brace. Ciaran Clark scored his second goal of pre-season with Niclas Füllkrug, Eljero Elia and Aaron Hunt getting the goals for Bremen. Lambert said after that the brace for Bent would fill him with confidence ahead of the upcoming season.http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2878627,00.html Pre-season match report: Werder Bremen 3–3 Villa avfc.co.uk Aston Villa Football Club 11 August 2012 16 August 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120813191021/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2878627,00.html 13 August 2012 dead dmy-all http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2878561,00.html Lambert on Bremen draw: Brace will do Bent the world of good avfc.co.uk Aston Villa Football Club 11 August 2012 16 August 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120813191014/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2878561,00.html 13 August 2012 dead dmy-all August MonthGamesWonDrewLostScoredConcededPointsOtherAugust3102440Progression to League Cup third round The Premier League fixture list was announced on 18 June 2012 and it gave Villa an away tie against newly promoted West Ham United to open the new season. There were no meetings between the two clubs last season as West Ham were consigned to the Championship, but ironically this was the opening fixture for Villa in the 2010–11 season which resulted in a 0–3 victory in Villa's favour, in which James Milner scored his last goal in his final appearance for the Villans before his move to Manchester City.http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/FixturesAndResults AVFC Fixtres and Results avfc.co.uk Aston Villa Football Club 16 August 2012http://www.premierleague.com/en-gb/news/news/barclays-premier-league-2012-13-fixtures-day.html/ Barclays Premier League 2012/13 fixtures released premierleague.com Premier League 18 June 2012 16 August 2012 20 August 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120820150232/http://www.premierleague.com/en-gb/news/news/barclays-premier-league-2012-13-fixtures-day.html dead https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/8906162.stm Aston Villa 3 – 0 West Ham BBC Sport British Broadcasting Corporation 14 August 2010 16 August 2012 The League Cup second round draw also took place in August with Villa being handed a home tie versus League One side Tranmere Rovers to be played on 28 August.http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2884671,00.html?/ Villa to face Tranmere in Capital One Cup second round avfc.co.uk Aston Villa Football Club 15 August 2012 19 August 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20160113173311/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2884671,00.html?%2F 13 January 2016 dead dmy-all http://www.capitalonecup.co.uk/news/article/round-2-draw-150812-313730.aspx Round 2 draw capitalonecup.co.uk Capital One Cup 15 August 2012 16 August 2012 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20120816233836/http://www.capitalonecup.co.uk/news/article/round-2-draw-150812-313730.aspx 16 August 2012 dmy-all http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2888880,00.html Date set for Tranmere clash in Capital One Cup second round avfc.co.uk Aston Villa Football Club 17 August 2012 3 November 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120819233713/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2888880,00.html 19 August 2012 dead dmy-all Villa's first league game of the new season ended in defeat as they went down 0–1 to West Ham, courtesy of a Kevin Nolan strike, at Upton Park.https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/19221467 West Ham 1–0 Aston Villa BBC Sport British Broadcasting Corporation 18 August 2012http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2890462,00.html West Ham 1–0 Villa match report: Nolan strike the difference avfc.co.uk Aston Villa Football Club 18 August 2012 18 August 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120822110548/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2890462,00.html 22 August 2012 dead dmy-all On 24 August, the club were dealt a massive blow when promising young midfielder Gary Gardner was ruled out for the entire season with an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in his right knee. This was his second ACL injury after previously injuring his left knee, in December 2009.http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2899214,00.html? Huge blow for Gardner as he faces long injury lay-off avfc.co.uk Aston Villa Football Club 24 August 2012 24 August 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120826123247/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2899214,00.html 26 August 2012 dead dmy-all The same day, Jean Makoun completed a long-awaited loan move to French Ligue 1 club Rennes. After experiencing supposed work permit issues making him unable to take any part as a player of Aston Villa, Paul Lambert admitted he had never even met the player and that he was not part of his plans.http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11677/8015985/Makoun-loaned-to-Rennes Makoun loaned to Rennes skysports.com Sky Sports 24 August 2012 30 October 2012https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/19379196 Cameroon midfielder Jean Makoun joins Rennes on loan BBC Sport British Broadcast Corporation 25 August 2012 30 October 2012http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-sport/aston-villa-fc/aston-villa-news/2012/08/04/aston-villa-work-permit-issues-continue-to-thwart-jean-makoun-97319-31546173/ Aston Villa: Work permit issues continue to thwart Jean Makoun birminghammail.net Birmingham Mail 4 August 2012 24 August 2012 6 August 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120806031804/http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-sport/aston-villa-fc/aston-villa-news/2012/08/04/aston-villa-work-permit-issues-continue-to-thwart-jean-makoun-97319-31546173/ dead https://www.expressandstar.com/sport/aston-villa-fc/2012/08/15/lambert-closing-the-door-on-jean-makoun/ Lambert closing the door on Jean Makoun expressandstar.com Express and Star 15 August 2012 24 August 2012 A day later, Villa lost their second league game of the season 1–3 to Everton. Goals from Steven Pienaar, Marouane Fellaini and Nikica Jelavić gave the Toffees a 0–3 half-time lead, before Ciaran Clark was sent off for Villa after fouling Jelavić, who at the time was the last man. Karim El Ahmadi scored from 30 yards, his first for Villa, but ultimately it was just a consolation.http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2900076,00.html Match Report: Aston Villa 1–3 Everton avfc.co.uk Aston Villa Football Club 25 August 2012 25 August 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120826123344/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2900076,00.html 26 August 2012 dead dmy-all https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/19304226 Aston Villa 1–3 Everton BBC Sport British Broadcasting Corporation 25 August 2012 Villa and Lambert's first win of the new season came in the League Cup against Tranmere Rovers. Goals from Fabian Delph, Chris Herd and a first competitive goal since February 2012 for Darren Bent sealed a 3–0 victory for the Villans.http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2903237,00.html Capital One Cup match report: Villa 3–0 Tranmere Rovers avfc.co.uk Aston Villa Football Club 28 August 2012 28 August 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120830174433/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2903237,00.html 30 August 2012 dead dmy-all https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/19340518 Aston Villa 3–0 Tranmere BBC Sport British Broadcasting 28 August 2012 The following day, Villa signed England under-21 left back Joe Bennett from Middlesbrough on a four-year deal, for a fee rumoured to be between £2.5 and 4 million. Upon his arrival, Bennett stated, "I am really excited to have joined a massive club in Aston Villa and I'm eager to fight for a starting place and get in the team."http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2904133,00.html Defender Bennett completes move to Villa on four-year deal avfc.co.uk Aston Villa Football Club 29 August 2012 29 August 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120830205115/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2904133,00.html 30 August 2012 dead dmy-all http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11688/8031863/Bennett-seals-Villa-move Bennett seals Villa move skyports.com Sky Sports 29 August 2012 On 30 August, Villa drew Manchester City in the third round of the League Cup. The match took place on 25 September at the Etihad Stadium.http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2905389,00.html Villa face Manchester City away in Capital One Cup third round avfc.co.uk Aston Villa Football Club 30 August 2012 30 August 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120903032351/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2905389,00.html 3 September 2012 dead dmy-all http://www.capitalonecup.co.uk/news/article/round-3-draw-300812-342937.aspx Round 3 draw capitalonecup.co.uk Capital One Cup 30 August 2012http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2910023,00.html Date confirmed for Villa's Capital One Cup clash at Manchester City avfc.co.uk Aston Villa Football Club 4 September 2012 5 September 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120907235743/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2910023,00.html 7 September 2012 dead dmy-all thumb|upright|Ashley Westwood A busy summer transfer deadline day 2012, saw Villa sign three new players: midfielder Ashley Westwood signed from Crewe Alexandra on a four-year deal, and strikers Christian Benteke from K.R.C Genk and Jordan Bowery from Chesterfield. Bowery signed a three-year deal and cost the club a rumored £500,000 with the fee rising to £1 million with add ons. Benteke signed a four-year deal for a fee believed to be £7 million, making him the most expensive transfer of the window for Villa .https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/19415192 Aston Villa sign Jordan Bowery from Chesterfield BBC Sport British Broadcasting Corporation 31 August 2012https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/19397066 Aston Villa swoop for Christian Benteke and Ashley Westwood BBC Sport British Broadcasting Corporation 31 August 2012 Earlier in the day, a £7 million bid was also accepted by Fulham for American forward Clint Dempsey, but the player ultimately rejected the deal as he favoured a move to Liverpool. The move to Liverpool later fell through and the player eventually joined Tottenham Hotspur.https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/19435575 Clint Dempsey and Hugo Lloris complete Tottenham moves BBC Sport British Broadcasting Corporation 31 August 2012 One player also departed the club, as Nathan Delfouneso joined Blackpool on a season-long loan.http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2906855,00.html Delfouneso moves to Blackpool on season-long loan avfc.co.uk Aston Villa Football Club 31 August 2012 31 August 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120902195732/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2906855,00.html 2 September 2012 dead dmy-all https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/19444961 Blackpool sign Nathan Eccleston and Nathan Delfouneso BBC Sport British Broadcasting Corporation 31 August 2012 main WDL R AST 17 NRW Norwich City QPR Queens Park Rangers STN Southampton AST Aston Villa 0 1 1 1 6 0 1 1 1 6 0 0 2 2 5 0 0 2 1 4 #FFCCCC 2013–14 Football League Championship R R R 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored. 26 August 2012 Barclays Premier League September MonthGamesWonDrewLostScoredConcededPointsOtherSeptember5221985Progression to League Cup fourth round Villa earned their first point of the season in the next game, after drawing 1–1 with Newcastle United at the Sports Direct Arena. Ciaran Clark's first half goal was cancelled out by a wonder strike from Hatem Ben Arfa and Villa's performance was reported to be much improved after the Everton game. The draw also lifted Villa off the bottom of the table and out of the relegation zone, at this early stage.http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2908601,00.html? https://archive.today/20121223113727/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2908601,00.html? dead 23 December 2012 Newcastle 1–1 Villa match report: Clark header earns deserved point avfc.co.uk Aston Villa Football Club 2 September 2012 https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/19384109 Newcastle 1–1 Aston Villa BBC Sport British Broadcasting Corporation 2 September 2012 The club's first league win of the season and first in 13 league matches came two weeks later, after the international break, as they beat Swansea City 2–0 at Villa Park – a reverse score of the fixture last season. A first competitive goal for the club for Matthew Lowton, a swerving volley, and a goal on his debut for substitute Christian Benteke wrapped up the points for Villa. Ron Vlaar was named captain for the match, replacing Darren Bent, who had captained the side in the previous matches.http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2919828,00.html Villa 2–0 Swansea report: Lowton and Benteke on target in great win avfc.co.uk Aston Villa Football Club 15 September 2012 15 September 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120917174203/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2919828,00.html 17 September 2012 dead dmy-all https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/19528067 Aston Villa 2–0 Swansea BBC Sport British Broadcasting Corporation 15 September 2012http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-sport/aston-villa-fc/aston-villa-news/2012/09/19/ron-vlaar-i-m-proud-to-be-new-captain-of-aston-villa-97319-31867309/ Ron Vlaar: I'm proud to be new captain of Aston Villa birminghammail.net Birmingham Mail 19 September 2012 1 October 2012 16 October 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20121016103029/http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-sport/aston-villa-fc/aston-villa-news/2012/09/19/ron-vlaar-i-m-proud-to-be-new-captain-of-aston-villa-97319-31867309/ dead On 21 September, Stephen Warnock joined Bolton Wanderers on a three-month loan. The left back had not made a competitive appearance beforehand after falling out of favour with the new manager.http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2925474,00.html? Defender Warnock joins Bolton on emergency loan avfc.co.uk Aston Villa Football Club 21 September 2012 21 September 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20121124061810/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2925474,00.html 24 November 2012 dead dmy-all https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19675539? https://archive.today/20130419203101/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19675539 dead 19 April 2013 Bolton sign Aston Villa's Stephen Warnock on loan BBC Sport British Broadcasting Corporation 21 September 2012 The following day (22 September), Villa suffered a shock defeat at the hands of newly promoted and bottom of the table Southampton, going down 1–4 at St Mary's. Villa took the lead through Darren Bent's first league goal of the season in the first half. However, goals from Nathaniel Clyne, a Ciaran Clark own goal and a brace, including a penalty, for Rickie Lambert saw the South Coast club emphatically earn their first points of the season. Ron Vlaar was again named Villa captain, leading it to be believed that he had replaced Darren Bent as team captain.http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2926689,00.html Match report: Southampton 4–1 Villa avfc.co.uk Aston Villa Football Club 22 September 2012 22 September 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20121007211216/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2926689,00.html 7 October 2012 dead dmy-all https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/19615244 Southampton 4–1 Aston Villa BBC Sport British Broadcasting Corporation 22 September 2012 Villa didn't let this result affect their next performance however, as they recorded a shock 2–4 victory against champions Manchester City in the League Cup on 25 September. Villa twice came back after being behind, first being 1–0 down and then 2–1 down. Mario Balotelli gave City a half time lead but a Gareth Barry own goal against his former club put Villa level. Aleksandar Kolarov scored a trademark free kick, before Gabriel Agbonlahor scored his first goal of the season to send the tie into extra time. Charles N'Zogbia netted Villa's third after Agbonlahor's shot was parried by Costel Pantilimon before Agbonlahor grabbed his second and Villa's fourth, courtesy of a deflection, sending them through to the next round.http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2930110,00.html Man City 2–4 Villa match report: Lambert's Lions roar into next round avfc.co.uk Aston Villa Football Club 25 September 2012 26 September 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120927093213/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2930110,00.html 27 September 2012 dead dmy-all https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/19632327 Manchester City 2–4 Aston Villa (aet) BBC Sport British Broadcasting Corporation 25 September 2012 26 September 2012 Villa's reward for defeating City was a potentially tricky away tie to League One side Swindon Town, managed by former West Ham striker Paolo Di Canio, to be played on 30 October.http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2931057,00.html? Villa travel to Swindon for fourth round of Capital One Cup avfc.co.uk Aston Villa Football Club 26 September 2012 26 September 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120928010157/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2931057,00.html 28 September 2012 dead dmy-all http://www.capitalonecup.co.uk/news/article/round-4-draw-260912-392655.aspx Round 4 draw capitalonecup.co.uk Capital One Cup 26 September 2012http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2932640,00.html Date for Swindon Town cup clash confirmed avfc.co.uk Aston Villa Football Club 28 September 2012 1 October 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20121001002129/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2932640,00.html 1 October 2012 dead dmy-all Villa's final game of the month was a highly anticipated West Midlands derby against early high flyers West Bromwich Albion, which ended 1–1. Each team wanted to show the other that they were the top team in the West Midlands, and Villa went about setting the Baggies straight with a dominant first half performance. However, it was West Brom who took the lead early in the second half, as James Morrison beat an attempted offside trap and crossed a low ball towards Shane Long, before Villa captain Ron Vlaar's attempted clearance hit Long's foot and rolled past Brad Guzan. Villa equalised through substitute Darren Bent in the 80th minute, after he coolly put in the rebound following a goal mouth scramble from a corner. The draw saw Villa register their worst ever start to a Premier League season, with only five points from six games.http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2934776,00.html Villa 1–1 West Brom match report: Bent strike earns deserved draw avfc.co.uk Aston Villa Football Club 30 September 2012 1 October 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20121004015247/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2934776,00.html 4 October 2012 dead dmy-all https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/19690546 Aston Villa 1–1 West Brom BBC Sport British Broadcasting Corporation 30 September 2012 1 October 2012http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2012/09/30/3414846/aston-villa-boss-lambert-judge-us-at-the-end-of-season Aston Villa boss Lambert: Judge us at the end of season goal.com Goal 30 September 2012 1 October 2012 main WDL Q AST 13 SUN Sunderland LIV Liverpool AST Aston Villa WIG Wigan Athletic STN Southampton 1 4 0 5 4 1 2 3 9 12 1 2 3 6 10 1 1 4 5 11 1 0 5 10 18 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored. 30 September 2012 Barclays Premier League October MonthGamesWonDrewLostScoredConcededPointsOtherOctober4112461Progression to League Cup quarter-finals The team began the month with a trip to north London to play Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane. The match finished 2–0 to Spurs, with goals from Steven Caulker and Aaron Lennon condemning Villa to their fourth loss and continued their poor start to the season.http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2942420,00.html Match report: Tottenham 2–0 Villa avfc.co.uk Aston Villa Football Club 7 October 2012 8 October 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20150930123630/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2942420,00.html 30 September 2015 dead dmy-all https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/19776296 Tottenham 2–0 Aston Villa BBC Sport British Broadcasting Corporation 7 October 2012 8 October 2012 After a two-week international break, Villa returned to league action on 20 October against Fulham at Craven Cottage. Villa continued their worst start to a season in 26 years by losing their fifth game, as a late Chris Baird goal gave Fulham a 1–0 win. This loss left Villa one place and one point above the relegation zone.http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2954321,00.html Match report: Fulham 1–0 Villa avfc.co.uk Aston Villa Football Club 20 October 2012 22 October 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20151002111721/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2954321,00.html 2 October 2015 dead dmy-all https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19939564 Fulham 1–0 Aston Villa BBC Sport British Broadcasting Corporation 20 October 2012 22 October 2012September 2025 medicmedic On 23 October, promising youngster Daniel Johnson joined League One outfit Yeovil Town on a month's loan.http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2957034,00.html Midfielder Johnson makes loan switch to Yeovil Town avfc.co.uk Aston Villa Football Club 23 October 2012 25 October 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20121025023029/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2957034,00.html 25 October 2012 dead dmy-all https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/20044854 Yeovil Town sign Aston Villa's Daniel Johnson on loan BBC Sport British Broadcasting Corporation 23 October 2012 25 October 2012 The next match saw Lambert face his old club Norwich City for the first time since leaving them to join Villa in the summer. The match ended 1–1 after Christian Benteke gave Villa the lead, but Norwich replied through Michael Turner, ten minutes from time. Joe Bennett was sent off for Villa after receiving two yellow cards, with Villa leading 1–0. This result meant that Villa did not win a league match in October and had still won only one so far this season.http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2961945,00.html Villa 1–1 Norwich match report: Benteke goal not enough for battlers avfc.co.uk Aston Villa Football Club 27 October 2012 28 October 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20121030021029/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2961945,00.html 30 October 2012 dead dmy-all https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/20014232 Aston Villa 1–1 Norwich BBC Sport British Broadcasting Corporation 27 October 2012 28 October 2012 However, Villa continued to excel in the League Cup as they knocked out Swindon Town, to advance. The match finished 3–2 to Villa but it took a 90th-minute winner from Christian Benteke to see Villa book their place in the quarter-finals. Villa had led 2–0, after goals from Benteke and Gabriel Agbonlahor, and looked to be easing to a win before Swindon managed to level the score with two quickfire goals from 18-year-old substitute Miles Storey. However, Benteke's late winner sent Villa through and made sure of their only win in October.http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2965444,00.html Swindon 2–3 Villa match report: Brilliant Benteke clinches late win avfc.co.uk Aston Villa Football Club 30 October 2012 31 October 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20121101095550/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2965444,00.html 1 November 2012 dead dmy-all https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/20053684 Swindon 2–3 Aston Villa BBC Sport British Broadcasting Corporation 30 October 2012 The draw for the quarter-finals was made the following day, with Villa getting an away tie at Paul Lambert's former club Norwich to be played on 11 December.http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2966418,00.html Villa handed trip to Norwich in Capital One Cup quarter-finals avfc.co.uk Aston Vila Football Club 31 October 2012 3 November 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20121103002906/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2966418,00.html 3 November 2012 dead dmy-all http://www.capitalonecup.co.uk/news/article/round-5-draw-311012-458480.aspx Round 5 draw capitalonecup.co.uk Capital One Cup 31 October 2012 3 November 2012http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2968468,00.html? Date of Capital One Cup quarter-final Norwich clash confirmed avfc.co.uk Aston Villa Football Club 2 November 2012 3 November 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20121104003653/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2968468,00.html 4 November 2012 dead dmy-all main WDL R AST 15 WIG Wigan Athletic NRW Norwich City AST Aston Villa REA Reading STN Southampton 2 2 5 10 15 1 4 4 7 18 1 3 5 7 14 0 4 4 11 17 1 1 7 14 26 #FFCCCC 2013–14 Football League Championship R R 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored. 27 October 2012 Barclays Premier League November MonthGamesWonDrewLostScoredConcededPointsOtherNovember5212477– The month started with a victory for Villa as they ran out 1–0 winners against Sunderland, managed by former manager Martin O'Neill, at the Stadium of Light. Gabriel Agbonlahor scored the only goal of the game, his first in the league for 12 months, as Villa recorded their first away win since January.http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2969197,00.html Sunderland 0–1 Villa match report: Lambert's Lions roar in north-east avfc.co.uk Aston Villa Football Club 3 November 2012 3 November 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20121107034325/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2969197,00.html 7 November 2012 dead dmy-all https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/20107448 Sunderland 0–1 Aston Villa BBC Sport British Broadcasting Corporation 3 November 2012 Villa hosted Manchester United in the next game, and roared into an unexpected 2–0 lead thanks to two goals from Andreas Weimann, his first goals of the season. However, two goals from substitute Javier Hernández and an own goal from Ron Vlaar gave United a 2–3 victory at Villa Park.http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2976733,00.html Match report: Villa 2–3 Man Utd avfc.co.uk Aston Villa Football Club 10 November 2012 12 November 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20121113060049/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2976733,00.html 13 November 2012 dead dmy-all https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/20190153 Aston Villa 2–3 Manchester United BBC Sport British Broadcasting Corporation 10 November 2012 The spirited performance the players showed in the last game (despite the loss) was soon forgotten as Villa were taught a lesson in their next match against the champions Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium. City thrashed Villa 5–0 with braces each for Sergio Agüero and Carlos Tevez, which included a highly controversial penalty and a goal from David Silva. The result meant they dropped down into the relegation places.http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2983426,00.html Match report: Man City 5–0 Villa avfc.co.uk Aston Villa Football Club 17 November 2012 18 November 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20121119231353/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2983426,00.html 19 November 2012 dead dmy-all https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20278432 Manchester City 5–0 Aston Villa BBC Sport British Broadcasting Corporation 17 November 2012 18 November 2012September 2025 medicmedic On 22 November, Alan Hutton joined Nottingham Forest on an emergency loan until 1 January. The right-back had not made a single appearance this season and had been banished from first team training, having been made to train with the reserve squad all season.http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2988383,00.html? Full-back Hutton to link up with Nottingham Forest on loan avfc.co.uk Aston Villa Football Club 22 November 2012 25 November 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20131221073147/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2988383,00.html 21 December 2013 dead dmy-all https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/20448531 Alan Hutton joins Nottingham Forest from Aston Villa BBC Sport British Broadcasting Corporation 22 November 2012 The club ended a trio of matches against former Premier League champions with a home tie against Arsenal. The match was a stalemate finishing 0–0, with Villa earning a valuable point to go a point ahead of fellow strugglers Reading, before their vital relegation scrap three days later (27 November).http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2990498,00.html Villa 0–0 Arsenal match report: Good point for Lambert's Lions avfc.co.uk Aston Villa Football Club 24 November 2012 25 November 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20150923205910/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2990498,00.html 23 September 2015 dead dmy-all https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/20374580 Aston Villa 0–0 Arsenal BBC Sport British Broadcasting Corporation 24 November 2012 25 November 2012 The month finished the way it started for Villa as they grabbed a much needed win, as well as a clean sheet, against Reading. The match ended 1–0 courtesy of a late Christian Benteke header. This result, coupled with Southampton's draw with Norwich, meant Villa entered December outside of the relegation places.http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2993654,00.html Villa 1–0 Reading match report: Hotshot Benteke on target avfc.co.uk Aston Villa Football Club 27 November 2012 28 November 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20121202061909/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2993654,00.html 2 December 2012 dead dmy-all https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/20405324 Aston Villa 1–0 Reading BBC Sport British Broadcasting Corporation 27 November 2012 28 November 2012 main WDL R AST 15 WIG Wigan Athletic SUN Sunderland AST Aston Villa STN Southampton REA Reading 4 2 8 15 25 2 7 4 12 16 3 4 7 11 22 3 3 8 21 31 1 6 6 16 23 #FFCCCC 2013–14 Football League Championship R R 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored. 28 November 2012 Barclays Premier League December MonthGamesWonDrewLostScoredConcededPointsOtherDecember72238185Progression to League Cup semi-finals December started with an away match against a winless Queens Park Rangers team, rooted to the bottom of the table. Brett Holman gave Villa the lead within the first ten minutes with his first goal for the club. Jamie Mackie equalised for Rangers ten minutes later and the score stayed that way until the end, finishing 1–1.http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2997411,00.html QPR 1–1 Villa match report: Holman goal earns solid point avfc.co.uk Aston Villa Football Club 1 December 2012 3 December 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20121204022641/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2997411,00.html 4 December 2012 dead dmy-all https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/20474486 QPR 1–1 Aston Villa BBC Sport British Broadcasting Corporation 1 December 2012 3 December 2012 The draw for the third round of the FA Cup was made the next day (2 December), with Villa getting a home tie against Championship side Ipswich Town. The match was to be played on 5 January 2013.http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2998299,00.html Villa handed home draw against Ipswich in FA Cup third round avfc.co.uk Aston Villa Football Club 2 December 2012 3 December 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20121204044524/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2998299,00.html 4 December 2012 dead dmy-all http://www.thefa.com/TheFACup/News/2012/Nov/third-round-draw-numbers.aspx THIRD ROUND DRAW thefa.com The Football Association 2 December 2012 3 December 2012http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2999915,00.html Villa's home clash against West Ham switched for TV coverage avfc.co.uk Aston Villa Football Club 4 December 2012 8 December 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20150923205924/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2999915,00.html 23 September 2015 dead dmy-all Another draw followed the QPR game, as Villa drew 0–0 versus clean sheet specialists Stoke City at Villa Park. Darren Bent made his return for Villa, coming on as a substitute, having not played since 30 October.http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~3004103,00.html Villa 0–0 Stoke match report: Creditable point from Potters battle avfc.co.uk Aston Villa Football Club 8 December 2012 8 December 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20150923205926/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~3004103,00.html 23 September 2015 dead dmy-all https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/20564749 Aston Villa 0–0 Stoke BBC Sport British Broadcasting Corporation 8 December 2012 Villa's next match came in the form of a League Cup quarter-final against Paul Lambert's former club Norwich City. Much was made of Lambert's first return to Carrow Road, made even more intense by the reported lawsuits being filed between both parties. The Villa team made it a very happy return for Lambert, running out 1–4 winners against the Canaries. Andreas Weimann grabbed his second brace of the season and goals from Brett Holman and Christian Benteke booked Villa's place in the semi-finals for the second time in four seasons.http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~3007313,00.html Norwich 1–4 Villa match report: Weimann brace earns semi-final place avfc.co.uk Aston Villa Football Club 11 December 2012 11 December 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20150923205929/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~3007313,00.html 23 September 2015 dead dmy-all https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/20590506 Norwich 1–4 Aston Villa BBC Sport British Broadcasting Corporation 11 December 2012 This result filled the young Villa team with massive confidence going into their next game against Liverpool at Anfield, where they gained only their second away win of the season with a 1–3 success. A brace from Christian Benteke and a third from Andreas Weimann meant Villa had led 0–3 before Steven Gerrard scored a late consolation for the Reds. The result extended Villa's unbeaten run to six games in all competitions and lifted them up to 14th in the Premier League, their highest position since 22 September.http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~3010699,00.html Liverpool 1–3 Villa report: Benteke/Weimann rock the Reds avfc.co.uk Aston Villa Football Club 15 December 2012 18 December 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20121219024613/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~3010699,00.html 19 December 2012 dead dmy-all https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/20650106 Liverpool 1–3 Aston Villa BBC Sport British Broadcasting Corporation 15 December 2012 The draw for the semi-finals of the League cup was made on 19 December, eight days after Villa had booked their place, following the Leeds United/Chelsea quarter-final. Villa will play Bradford City over two legs, the first being played away at Valley Parade on 8 January 2013, with the second at Villa Park on 22 January 2013.http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~3014478,00.html Capital One Cup: Villa drawn against Bradford in semi-finals avfc.co.uk Aston Vila Football Club 19 December 2012 3 November 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20121230181449/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~3014478,00.html 30 December 2012 dead dmy-all http://www.capitalonecup.co.uk/news/article/semi-final-draw-191212-552661.aspx Semi-final draw capitalonecup.co.uk Capital One Cup 19 December 2012http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~3015009,00.html Capital One Cup: Dates announced for two semi-finals avfc.co.uk Aston Vila Football Club 20 December 2012 23 December 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20121230192052/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~3015009,00.html 30 December 2012 dead dmy-all Villa's unbeaten run came to a shuddering halt in the last game before Christmas as the team went down 8–0 to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, their heaviest ever defeat in the Premier League.http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~3018126,00.html Match report: Chelsea 8–0 Villa avfc.co.uk Aston Villa Football Club 23 December 2012 23 December 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20121231173113/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~3018126,00.html 31 December 2012 dead dmy-all https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/20745787 Chelsea 8–0 Aston Villa BBC Sport British Broadcasting Corporation 23 December 2012 Villa's Christmas misery continued into the next game after they were beaten 0–4 by Tottenham Hotspur. The first goal was scored by Jermain Defoe, before Gareth Bale got his first Premier League hat-trick to seal a convincing win for Spurs.http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~3019401,00.html Match report: Villa 0–4 Tottenham avfc.co.uk Aston Villa Football Club 26 December 2012 28 December 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20121231071505/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~3019401,00.html 31 December 2012 dead dmy-all https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/20779178 Aston Villa 0–4 Tottenham BBC Sport British Broadcasting Corporation 26 December 2012 28 December 2012 Villa's festive period nightmare continued further as they lost their third game in a row against fellow strugglers Wigan Athletic, 0–3. An early goal from defender Iván Ramis and second half goals from Emerson Boyce and Arouna Koné sent Wigan above Villa in the table. Villa finished the 2012 calendar year in 17th place, only one point off the relegation places but with a much inferior goal difference than their rivals after conceding 15 goals in the three festive period games.http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~3021675,00.html Match report: Villa 0–3 Wigan avfc.co.uk Aston Villa Football Club 29 December 2012 29 December 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20121231212409/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~3021675,00.html 31 December 2012 dead dmy-all https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/20823064 Aston Villa 0–3 Wigan BBC Sport British Broadcasting Corporation 29 December 2012 main WDL R AST 15 NEW Newcastle United WIG Wigan Athletic AST Aston Villa STN Southampton REA Reading 5 5 10 26 37 5 3 12 22 35 4 6 10 15 39 4 5 10 26 37 2 7 11 22 37 #FFCCCC 2013–14 Football League Championship R R 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored. 29 December 2012 Barclays Premier League January MonthGamesWonDrewLostScoredConcededPointsOtherJanuary822411132Eliminated from League CupEliminated from FA Cup Villa began 2013 with a 2–2 draw against Swansea City at the Liberty Stadium. Wayne Routledge gave the Swans an early lead, before an Andreas Weimann strike on the stroke of half-time brought Villa level. Villa looked to have snatched a vital win, when they earned an 84th-minute penalty (their first in almost a year) which was converted by Christian Benteke. However, a stoppage time equalizer from Danny Graham made sure the points were shared.http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~3024036,00.html Swansea 2–2 Villa report: Lambert's Lions earn creditable point avfc.co.uk Aston Villa Football Club 1 January 2013 1 January 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20140428150907/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~3024036,00.html 28 April 2014 dead dmy-all https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/20840916 Swansea 2–2 Aston Villa BBC Sport British Broadcasting Corporation 1 January 2013 The club gained their first win of the new year, as they beat Ipswich Town 2–1 in the FA Cup on 5 January. Villa had to come from behind however, as Michael Chopra's deflected shot gave Ipswich a half time lead. Darren Bent equalized immediately after the break with a goal against his former club and Andreas Weimann booked Villa's place in the fourth round with an 83rd-minute winner.http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~3031593,00.html Villa 2–1 Ipswich match report: Bent and Weimann secure victory avfc.co.uk Aston Villa Football Club 5 January 2013 6 January 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20150923205959/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~3031593,00.html 23 September 2015 dead dmy-all https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/20863510 Aston Villa 2–1 Ipswich BBC Sport British Broadcasting Corporation 5 January 2013 Villa were then drawn to face Millwall at The Den in the fourth round of the FA Cup to be played on 25 January.http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~3032618,00.html? FA Cup draw: Villa travel to Millwall in fourth round avfc.co.uk Aston Villa Football Club 6 January 2013 6 January 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20130108075818/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~3032618,00.html 8 January 2013 dead dmy-all http://www.thefa.com/TheFACup/News/2013/Jan/fourth-round-draw.aspx FOURTH ROUND DRAW thefa.com The Football Association 6 January 2013http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~3035533,00.html Date set for FA Cup clash against Millwall avfc.co.uk Aston Villa Football Club 9 January 2013 9 January 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20130112123107/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~3035533,00.html 12 January 2013 dead dmy-all The first leg of the League Cup semi-final against Bradford City was next for Villa three days later. The match did not go the way Villa would have thought, wanted or hoped for though as they lost 1–3 to the Bantams at Valley Parade. Bradford took the lead early in the first half as Nahki Wells beat the offside trap to finish neatly past Shay Given after a deflected shot. Matt Duke made a series of inspired saves throughout both halves keeping Villa at bay, before Rory McArdle put Bradford 2–0 up in the 77th minute. Villa pulled a goal back five minutes later through Andreas Weimann, but Bradford regained their two-goal advantage when Carl McHugh fired a header past Given to give Bradford a shock victory and leave Villa with all the work to do in the second leg to reach the final.http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~3035124,00.html Match report: Bradford 3–1 Villa avfc.co.uk Aston Villa Football Club 8 January 2013 9 January 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20130110023604/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~3035124,00.html 10 January 2013 dead dmy-all https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/20880586 Bradford 3–1 Aston Villa BBC Sport British Broadcasting Corporation 8 January 2013 Villa's League Cup hangover continued as they were beaten 0–1 by fellow strugglers Southampton in a must win six-pointer. Rickie Lambert converted a highly controversial penalty won by Jay Rodriguez, who looked to have gone done with no contact under the challenge of Enda Stevens. This result meant Southampton leapfrogged Villa, who dropped back into the relegation places for the first time since November.http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~3039387,00.html Match report: Villa 0–1 Southampton avfc.co.uk Aston Villa Football Club 12 January 2013 13 January 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20150923210015/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~3039387,00.html 23 September 2015 dead dmy-all https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/20919157 Aston Villa 0–1 Southampton BBC Sport British Broadcasting Corporation 12 January 2013 The team then competed in a local derby against West Bromwich Albion, where they threw away a two-goal lead to draw 2–2. Christian Benteke and Gabriel Agbonlahor gave Villa a half time lead but Chris Brunt pulled a goal back immediately after the break for the Baggies. They continued to attack, controlling the game, and eventually Peter Odemwingie equalized meaning the points were shared.http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~3046831,00.html West Brom 2–2 Villa match report: Honours even in derby duel avfc.co.uk Aston Villa Football Club 19 January 2013 19 January 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20130122224247/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~3046831,00.html 22 January 2013 dead dmy-all https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/20996732 West Brom 2–2 Aston Villa BBC Sport British Broadcasting Corporation 19 January 2013 Villa's misery then continued, as the team was knocked out of the League Cup by fourth-tier Bradford City. After losing 1–3 in the first leg, Villa had to win by two clear goals to take the tie to extra-time. However, they could only manage a 2–1 victory (3–4 on aggregate) and exited the competition as a result.http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~3049715,00.html Match report: Villa 2–1 Bradford City avfc.co.uk Aston Villa Football Club 22 January 2013 23 January 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20130123210756/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~3049715,00.html 23 January 2013 dead dmy-all https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/21022502 Aston Villa 2–1 Bradford (3–4) BBC Sport British Broadcasting Corporation 22 January 2013 Yet more gloom and doom followed as the team were knocked out of a second cup in four days. after losing 1–2 against Millwall in the FA Cup. Darren Bent gave Villa the lead but Danny Shittu equalized five minutes later for the hosts, with Villa conceding from yet another corner. Just as a replay looked on the cards, John Marquis grabbed the winner for the Championship outfit, to send them through and pile even more pressure onto the extremely fragile Villa team and manager Paul Lambert.http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~3052151,00.html Match report: Millwall 2–1 Villa avfc.co.uk Aston Villa Football Club 25 January 2013 26 January 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20130127093327/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~3052151,00.html 27 January 2013 dead dmy-all https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/21072474 Millwall 2–1 Aston Villa BBC Sport British Broadcasting Corporation 25 January 2013 Villa's awful January was compounded in their last game of the month, against Newcastle United. Newcastle raced into a 2–0 half time lead after goals from Papiss Cissé and Yohan Cabaye but Christian Benteke pulled a goal back for Villa early in the second half from the penalty spot. However, it was not enough as the Toon held on for the win, despite a major Villa fightback. This result was Villa's fourth home defeat in a row.http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~3056082,00.html Match report: Villa 1–2 Newcastle avfc.co.uk Aston Villa Football Club 29 January 2013 2 February 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20150923210027/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~3056082,00.html 23 September 2015 dead dmy-all https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/21137565 Aston Villa 1–2 Newcastle BBC Sport British Broadcasting Corporation 25 January 2013 2 February 2013 Deadline day saw Villa make their only transfers of the January transfer window, as they signed defensive midfielder Yacouba Sylla from Ligue 2 side Clermont Foot as well as Simon Dawkins on loan from Tottenham Hotspur.http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~3059952,00.html https://web.archive.org/web/20130206072154/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~3059952,00.html dead 6 February 2013 Sylla thrilled to join "dynamic and exciting young team" avfc.co.uk Aston Villa Football Club 31 January 2013 2 February 2013 https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/21276600 Yacouba Sylla: Aston Villa sign Clermont Foot midfielder BBC Sport British Broadcasting Corporation 31 January 2013 2 February 2013http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~3060866,00.html Dawkins completes late-night loan move to Villa avfc.co.uk Aston Villa Football Club 31 January 2013 2 February 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20130202224651/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~3060866,00.html 2 February 2013 dead dmy-all https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/21287267 Simon Dawkins: Aston Villa sign Tottenham striker on loan BBC Sport British Broadcasting Corporation 31 January 2013 2 February 2013 Both players continued Paul Lambert's system of buying inexperienced, cheap players as opposed to the experienced players Villa desperately required. Lambert later stated that he just did not have the money to buy big names, pay high wages and compete with their rivals, with some sources stating the kitty to be as low as£3 million.http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11661/8464864? Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert thinks criticism is unfair skysports.com Sky Sports 2 February 2013 Stephen Warnock left Villa to join Leeds United, having not made an appearance all season, after three years at the club.http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~3060633,00.html Warnock completes permanent move to Leeds United avfc.co.uk Aston Villa Football Club 31 January 2013 2 February 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20130203043950/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~3060633,00.html 3 February 2013 dead dmy-all https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/21248064 Leeds United: Stephen Warnock and Habib Habibou join BBC Sport British Broadcasting Corporation 31 January 2013 2 February 2013 Alan Hutton had also left, as he joined Spanish side Mallorca on 29 January on loan until the end of the season.http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~3056605,00.html Defender Hutton set for move to Real Mallorca avfc.co.uk Aston Villa Football Club 28 January 2013 2 February 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20130131050539/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~3056605,00.html 31 January 2013 dead dmy-all https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21239833 https://web.archive.org/web/20130129212700/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21239833 dead 29 January 2013 Alan Hutton will join La Liga side Real Mallorca on loan BBC Sport British Broadcasting Corporation 28 January 2013 2 February 2013 main WDL R AST 17 REA Reading WIG Wigan Athletic AST Aston Villa QPR Queens Park Rangers 4 8 12 30 45 5 5 14 27 45 4 8 12 20 46 2 10 12 18 37 #FFCCCC 2013–14 Football League Championship R R R 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored. 29 January 2013 Barclays Premier League February MonthGamesWonDrewLostScoredConcededPointsOtherFebruary3111664– February started with a mixed result for Villa as they drew 3–3 with high-flying Everton. On one hand, Villa picked up a vital and unexpected point however they had led 3–1 at one point, after goals from Christian Benteke (2) and Gabriel Agbonlahor. They then conceded another goal and a stoppage time equaliser as Marouane Fellaini made sure the points were shared. This result kept Villa second from bottom in the Premier League.http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~3061629,00.html Match report: Everton 3–3 Villa avfc.co.uk Aston Villa Football Club 2 February 2013 3 February 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20150923210040/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~3061629,00.html 23 September 2015 dead dmy-all https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/21209061 Everton 3–3 Aston Villa BBC Sport British Broadcasting Corporation 2 February 2013 Villa finally ended their eight-game winless run, as well as four home defeats in a row with a 2–1 victory over West Ham United at Villa Park. A lackluster first half saw few chances for either side, with the only one of note seeing Andreas Weimann shoot wide from six yards after Jussi Jääskeläinen had spilled a Christian Benteke shot. Benteke then scored a penalty to give Villa a 74th-minute lead, before Charles N'Zogbia, who had himself won the penalty, scored a sublime free kick four minutes later. An Ashley Westwood own goal made for a nervy last few minutes but Villa held on for a precious three points, to move out of the relegation zone.http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~3069060,00.html Match report – Villa 2–1 West Ham: Benteke/N'Zogbia on target avfc.co.uk Aston Villa Football Club 10 February 2013 11 February 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20150923210043/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~3069060,00.html 23 September 2015 dead dmy-all https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/21311649 Aston Villa 2–1 West Ham BBC Sport British Broadcasting 10 February 2013 Despite the brilliant win against West Ham, Villa lost their last game of the month against Arsenal 2–1 after a late winner from Santi Cazorla, leaving them in 18th place at the end of February.http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~3085950,00.html Match report: Arsenal 2–1 Villa – Weimann goal not enough avfc.co.uk Aston Villa Football Club 23 February 2013 27 March 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20130226123850/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~3085950,00.html 26 February 2013 dead dmy-all https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/21482693 Arsenal 2–1 Aston Villa BBC Sport British Broadcasting 23 February 2013 27 March 2013 main WDL R AST 16 STN Southampton WIG Wigan Athletic AST Aston Villa REA Reading QPR Queens Park Rangers 6 9 12 38 49 6 6 15 33 51 5 9 13 26 52 5 8 14 33 51 2 11 14 19 43 #FFCCCC 2013–14 Football League Championship R R R 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored. 23 February 2013 Barclays Premier League March MonthGamesWonDrewLostScoredConcededPointsOtherMarch4202666– Villa started March as they had ended February with defeat by one of the higher ranking sides, losing 0–1 to Manchester City at Villa Park. A Ciaran Clark slip in his own half eventually led to Carlos Tevez grabbing the winner for City.http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~3096942,00.html Match report: Villa 0–1 Man City – Tevez goal wins it avfc.co.uk Aston Villa Football Club 4 March 2013 27 March 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20130307021908/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~3096942,00.html 7 March 2013 dead dmy-all https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21570967 https://web.archive.org/web/20130304085804/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21570967 dead 4 March 2013 Aston Villa 0–1 Man City BBC Sport British Broadcasting 4 March 2013 27 March 2013 However, Villa then won back to back matches in the Premier League for the first time since May 2011, after beating two major relegation rivals in Reading and Queens Park Rangers. The Reading game marked the first time in the season that Villa had come from behind to win, eventually winning 1–2.http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~3103104,00.html Reading 1–2 Villa match report: Benteke/Agbonlahor win it avfc.co.uk Aston Villa Football Club 9 March 2013 27 March 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20130313052830/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~3103104,00.html 13 March 2013 dead dmy-all https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/21639183 Reading 1–2 Aston Villa BBC Sport British Broadcasting 9 March 2013 27 March 2013 They then managed to achieve this feat again when they defeated QPR who had led 0–1. The match eventually finished 3–2 to Villa, temporarily putting a six-point gap between themselves and the relegation zone.http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~3111189,00.html Villa 3–2 QPR report: Lambert's Lions roar to win in thriller avfc.co.uk Aston Villa Football Club 16 March 2013 27 March 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20130320031410/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~3111189,00.html 20 March 2013 dead dmy-all https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/21724358 Aston Villa 3–2 QPR BBC Sport British Broadcasting 16 March 2013 27 March 2013 The next match, however, saw Villa's mini revival come to an end as they were defeated 1–2 by Liverpool at Villa Park, seeing them again slip into the relegation zone on goal difference.http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~3127502,00.html Match report: Villa 1–2 Liverpool – Reds win Easter Sunday encounter avfc.co.uk Aston Villa Football Club 31 March 2013 2 April 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20130404234914/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~3127502,00.html 4 April 2013 dead dmy-all https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/21915418 Aston Villa 1–2 Liverpool BBC Sport British Broadcasting 31 March 2013 2 April 2013 main WDL R AST 16 SUN Sunderland WIG Wigan Athletic AST Aston Villa QPR Queens Park Rangers REA Reading 7 10 14 33 43 8 6 16 36 56 7 9 15 32 58 4 11 16 28 51 5 8 18 36 61 #FFCCCC 2013–14 Football League Championship R R R 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored. 31 March 2013 Barclays Premier League April MonthGamesWonDrewLostScoredConcededPointsOtherApril42111067– Villa started April perfectly, with a 1–3 away victory over Stoke City at the Britannia Stadium. Gabriel Agbonlahor gave Villa an early lead that lasted until the 80th minute when Michael Kightly equalised for Stoke. However, a spectacular volley from Matthew Lowton put Villa back in front with less than five minutes to go. From 30 yards out, Lowton chested down a clearance from a corner and sweetly struck the ball past goalkeeper Asmir Begović. Christian Benteke then skipped through the Stoke defence and slid the ball into the back of the net to wrap up the points for Villa, as well as the third win in their last four games.http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~3134882,00.html Stoke 1–3 Villa report: Lowton worldy wins it for Lambert's Lions avfc.co.uk Aston Villa Football Club 6 April 2013 7 April 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20130409234429/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~3134882,00.html 9 April 2013 dead dmy-all https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/21979453 Stoke 1–3 Aston Villa BBC Sport British Broadcasting 6 April 2013 7 April 2013 Villa drew 1–1 in their next game against Fulham, with Charles N'Zogbia giving Villa the lead but a Fabian Delph own goal meant the points were shared.http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~3142811,00.html Villa 1–1 Fulham report: N'Zogbia on target in draw avfc.co.uk Aston Villa Football Club 13 April 2013 15 April 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20150923210119/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~3142811,00.html 23 September 2015 dead dmy-all https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/22049631 Aston Villa 1–1 Fulham BBC Sport British Broadcasting 13 April 2013 15 April 2013 Villa then faced Manchester United, with United being crowned champions if they won. They did so, 3–0, after Robin van Persie scored a hat-trick within the first 33 minutes of the game.http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~3153878,00.html Report: Man Utd 3–0 Villa: Defeated but not disgraced avfc.co.uk Aston Villa Football Club 22 April 2013 27 April 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20150923210122/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~3153878,00.html 23 September 2015 dead dmy-all https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/22149292 Manchester United 3–0 Aston Villa BBC Sport British Broadcasting 22 April 2013 27 April 2013 Villa's final game of the month saw them thrash Sunderland 6–1 at Villa Park, giving them their best result of the season and of Paul Lambert's reign. The result was also Villa's biggest home win in 17 years and the first time they had scored six in a match since the 2007–08 season. Christian Benteke scored his first hat-trick for Villa, becoming the first player to do so in five years, which meant he both exceeded Dwight Yorke's record of 17 Premier League goals in a season and became the first Villa player to reach 20 goals in a season in nine years. Gabriel Agbonlahor also scored, making him Villa's highest Premier League goalscorer with 61 goals. Captain Ron Vlaar, with his first goal for the club, and Andreas Weimann wrapped up a memorable night for Villa as they went five points clear of the drop zone and above Newcastle United on goal difference, after an 11-goal swing.http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~3161916,00.html Report: Villa 6–1 Sunderland report: Six of the best for Lambert's Lions avfc.co.uk Aston Villa Football Club 29 April 2013 1 May 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20130501233903/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~3161916,00.html 1 May 2013 dead dmy-all https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/22244165 Aston Villa 6–1 Sunderland BBC Sport British Broadcasting 29 April 2013 1 May 2013https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/22228835 Newcastle 0–6 Liverpool BBC Sport British Broadcasting 27 April 2013 1 May 2013 main WDL R AST 14 NRW Norwich City SUN Sunderland AST Aston Villa NEW Newcastle United WIG Wigan Athletic 8 14 13 33 54 9 10 16 39 51 9 10 16 42 64 10 7 18 43 66 8 8 18 39 62 #FFCCCC 2013–14 Football League Championship R 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored. 29 April 2013 Barclays Premier League May MonthGamesWonDrewLostScoredConcededPointsOtherMay3111554– The first game of the month saw Villa continue their good form by beating Norwich City 1–2 at Carrow Road to send them up to 13th in the table as well as to the 40-point mark.Gabriel Agbonlahor scored both of Villa's goals, including the 89th-minute winner, either side of a Grant Holt penalty.http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~3167196,00.html Norwich 1–2 Villa report: Agbonlahor at the double to secure win avfc.co.uk Aston Villa Football Club 4 May 2013 6 May 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20130917003905/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~3167196,00.html 17 September 2013 dead dmy-all https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22320499 https://web.archive.org/web/20130504012402/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22320499 dead 4 May 2013 Norwich 1–2 Aston Villa BBC Sport British Broadcasting 4 May 2013 6 May 2013 On 9 May, club captain Stiliyan Petrov announced his retirement from football after battling acute leukaemia for over a year. Villa added Petrov to the club's hall of fame, an honour only 12 other players have received.https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/22464215 Stiliyan Petrov leukaemia battle: Aston Villa captain retires BBC Sport British Broadcasting 9 May 2013 12 May 2013http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~3173330,00.html Popular Petrov to be added to iconic Villa Hall of Fame avfc.co.uk Aston Villa Football Club 9 May 2013 12 May 2013 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20150923210139/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10265~3173330%2C00.html 23 September 2015 dmy-all Villa lost their last home game of the season 1–2 against Chelsea. Both teams had a man sent off, Ramires for Chelsea and Villa's goalscorer Christian Benteke. Frank Lampard became Chelsea all-time top scorer as he scored both of their goals.http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~3175240,00.html Match report: Villa 1–2 Chelsea – Lampard double wins it avfc.co.uk Aston Villa Football Club 11 May 2013 12 May 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20130609070524/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~3175240,00.html 9 June 2013 dead dmy-all https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/22409606 Aston Villa 1–2 Chelsea BBC Sport British Broadcasting 11 May 2013 12 May 2013 Villa's final game of the season came against Wigan Athletic. Wigan had been relegated mid-week after defeat by Arsenal which confirmed Villa's safety. The match itself finished 2–2, with Villa's goals coming from Darren Bent and Ron Vlaar in either half. Villa finished the season in 15th place, five points clear of relegation.http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~3184546,00.html Match report: Wigan 2–2 Villa – Bent/Vlaar on target avfc.co.uk Aston Villa Football Club 19 May 2013 19 May 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20130801022550/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~3184546,00.html 1 August 2013 dead dmy-all https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/22499145 Wigan 2–2 Aston Villa BBC Sport British Broadcasting 19 May 2013 main WDL Q AST 13 SKE Stoke City STN Southampton AST Aston Villa NEW Newcastle United SUN Sunderland 9 15 14 34 45 9 14 15 49 60 10 11 17 47 69 11 8 19 45 68 9 12 17 41 54 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored. 19 May 2013 Barclays Premier League Key events 12 March 2012: Australian Brett Holman agrees to join Villa on a free transfer, when his contract expires with AZ. 14 May: Alex McLeish is sacked as manager, after a poor season in charge. 23 May: The club announces that they will be releasing 11 players, including three first-team players: Carlos Cuéllar, Emile Heskey and Brad Guzan. 2 June: Villa appoint Paul Lambert as their new manager, on a three-year deal. 9 June: Reserve team coach Kevin MacDonald leaves the club after 17 years. 1 July: Brett Holman officially joins Aston Villa. 2 July: Karim El Ahmadi signs from Feyenoord for an undisclosed fee, believed to be £2 million. 5 July: Ian Culverhouse and Gary Karsa join the backroom staff as Assistant Manager and Head of Football Operation respectively. 6 July: Matthew Lowton completes a move from Sheffield United for an undisclosed fee, believed to be £3 million. 16 July: Brad Guzan signs a new three-year contract to re-sign for Villa, after his release in May. 1 August: Central defender James Collins departs to West Ham United for £2.5 million, while his replacement Ron Vlaar joins the club for £3.2 million. 15 August: Villa draw Tranmere Rovers, of League One, in the second round of the League Cup. 18 August: Villa lose 1–0 in their opening fixture of the new season, against newly promoted West Ham United. Darren Bent is appointed captain for the match, and is likely to remain so for the season whilst Stiliyan Petrov recovers from leukaemia. 24 August: Cameroonian Jean Makoun leaves on loan for a second season running, this time joining Rennes until the end of the season. Meanwhile, young midfielder Gary Gardner is ruled out for the rest of the season after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury – the second of his career. 28 August: Villa make it through to the third round of the League Cup, after a 3–0 win against Tranmere Rovers. 29 August: England under-21 left back Joe Bennett joins from Middlesbrough, with the fee rumoured to be between £2.5 and 4 million. 30 August: Villa draw champions Manchester City in the third round of the League Cup, to be played on 25 September. 31 August: On transfer deadline day, Villa sign strikers Christian Benteke and Jordan Bowery from Genk and League Two side Chesterfield respectively, with Benteke costing Villa £7 million. Bowery signed officially for an undisclosed fee rumoured to be £500,000 rising to £1 million based on appearances.31 August 2012 Benteke completes move to Villa on a four-year deal avfc.co.uk Aston Villa Football Club http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2906816,00.html dead 31 August 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120903022318/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2906816,00.html 3 September 2012 dmy-all31 August 2012 Bowery completes move to Villa on three-year-deal avfc.co.uk Aston Villa Football Club http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2905984,00.html dead https://web.archive.org/web/20120903124114/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2905984,00.html 3 September 2012 The club also recruited 22-year-old Crewe Alexandra captain Ashley Westwood for an undisclosed fee rumoured to be £2 million.31 August 2012 Westwood signs for Villa on four-year deal avfc.co.uk Aston Villa Football Club http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2906741,00.html? dead 31 August 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120903124209/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2906741,00.html 3 September 2012 dmy-all31 August 2012 Westwood makes Villa move skysports.com Sky Sports http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11677/8039002/Westwood-makes-Villa-move A£7 million bid was accepted for American forward Clint Dempsey by Fulham but the player rejected the move. Nathan Delfouneso leaves on a season-long loan to Blackpool. 2 September: Villa earn their first point of the season, after drawing 1–1 with Newcastle United. 15 September: Villa end a club record 13 game winless streak in the league, as they gain their first win of the season by defeating Swansea City 2–0. Ron Vlaar replaces Darren Bent as captain for the season. 21 September: Out of favour left back, Stephen Warnock, joins Bolton Wanderers on a three-month loan. 25 September: Villa book their place in the fourth round of the League Cup, by knocking out Manchester City after a 2–4 win in extra time. 26 September: The fourth round draw for the League Cup sees Villa pitted against Swindon Town, in an away draw to be played on 30 October. 27 October: Villa's 1–1 draw with Norwich City. 30 October: Villa get through to the League Cup quarter-finals after a tightly fought game against Swindon Town ended in a 3–2 victory. 31 October: Villa draw Norwich City in the League Cup quarter-finals to be played at Carrow Road on 11 December. 3 November: Villa gain their first away win since January, after defeating Sunderland 0–1 at the Stadium of Light. 22 November: Alan Hutton leaves Villa to go on loan to Nottingham Forest until 1 January. 27 November: The vital relegation scrap with Reading ends in a 1–0 win for Villa, pulling them out of the relegation zone. 2 December: Villa are drawn against Ipswich Town in the third round of the FA Cup, to be played on 5 January 2013. 11 December: Villa reach the semi-finals of the League Cup, after a 1–4 victory over Norwich City. 19 December: Villa will face the remaining lowest ranked team, Bradford City, in the League Cup semi-finals over two legs in January 2013. 23 December: Villa suffer their heaviest ever Premier League defeat at the hands of Chelsea, the match finishes 8–0. 29 December: Villa end their annus horribilis of 2012 one point above the relegation zone with a far inferior goal difference after conceding 15 goals in three games, the latest in a 0–3 home defeat by Wigan Athletic. 5 January 2013: Villa are through to the fourth round of the FA Cup after beating Ipswich Town 2–1. 6 January: Villa will face Millwall away in the fourth round of the FA Cup on 25 January. 8 January: Villa suffer a shock defeat in their League Cup semi-final first leg against Bradford City, losing 3–1. 22 January: Villa are knocked out of the League Cup, after losing 3–4 on aggregate to Bradford City. 25 January: Villa exit a second cup competition in four days, as they are beaten 2–1 by Championship side Millwall. 29 January: Villa end a disastrous month with which has seen them knocked out of both cup competitions and enter the relegation zone yet again, with a 1–2 defeat by Newcastle United at Villa Park. Alan Hutton is loaned out to Mallorca until the end of the season. 31 January: Villa complete the signing of Yacouba Sylla from Clermont Foot and loan Simon Dawkins from Tottenham Hotspur until the end of the season. Stephen Warnock departs to Leeds United. 10 February: Villa end an eight-game winless run, as well as both climbing out of the relegation zone and preventing their worst home run in 50 years (five defeats in a row), with a 2–1 victory over West Ham United. 16 March: Villa record their first back-to-back wins since May 2011 as they beat relegation rivals Queens Park Rangers 3–2, having beaten Reading 1–2 at the Madejski Stadium the previous week. 6 April: Villa record their third win in four games after beating Stoke City 1–3, which included a Goal of the Season contender from Matthew Lowton. The result lifts Villa to 16th place, two points above the relegation zone. 29 April: Villa record their best result of the season after thrashing Sunderland 6–1. Christian Benteke scores his first hat-trick for the club and also reaches the 20 goal mark in the process. 4 May: Villa reach 40 points after a 1–2 victory over Norwich City. 9 May: Club captain Stiliyan Petrov announces his retirement from football after his battle with acute leukaemia. 14 May: Villa's safety is confirmed as Wigan Athletic are relegated after a 4–1 defeat by Arsenal.https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/22430454 Arsenal 4–1 Wigan BBC Sport British Broadcasting Corporation 14 May 2012 19 May 2012 19 May: Villa end the season with a 2–2 away draw against Wigan Athletic at the DW Stadium. The result means Villa finish in 15th place in the Premier League. Players Squad information In the 2010–11 season the Premier League introduced new rules on squad lists. The rules included a cap on the number of players at 25; players under the age of 21 on 1 January of the year in which the season starts are exempt from the list of 25. A "home-grown rule" also requires clubs to name at least eight players in their squad of 25 players that have been registered domestically for a minimum of three seasons prior to their 21st birthday.Home-grown quota for Premier League http://www.premierleague.com/en-gb/news/features/home-grown-quota-for-premier-league.html premierleague.com Premier League 10 August 2011 16 May 2012 2 May 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120502131751/http://www.premierleague.com/en-gb/news/features/home-grown-quota-for-premier-league.html dead New Premier League squad rules explained https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/8858634.stm BBC Sport British Broadcasting Corporation 27 July 2010 16 May 2012https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/a/aston_villa/squad_profiles/default.stm Squad Profiles BBC Sport British Broadcasting Corporation 16 May 2012 Players under 21 do not need to be named and can still be used. Squad subject to change during summer transfer window. First team squad Last updated on 19 May 2013 Squad No. Name Nationality Position Date of birth (age) Signed from Signed in Contract ends Apps. Goals Notes Goalkeepers 1 Shay Given IRL GK yes 1976 4 20 Manchester City 2011 2016 43 0 22 Brad Guzan USA GK yes 1984 9 9 Chivas USA 2012 2015 56 0 Re-signed this season.1 33 Andy Marshall ENG GK yes 1975 4 14 Coventry City 2010 2013 0 0 39 Benjamin Siegrist SUI GK yes 1992 1 31 Aston Villa Academy 2012 2014 0 0 Defenders 2 Alan Hutton SCO DF yes 1984 11 30 Tottenham Hotspur 2011 2015 34 0On loan at RCD Mallorca 4 Ron Vlaar NED DF yes 1985 2 16 Feyenoord 2012 2015 30 2 5 Richard Dunne IRL DF yes 1979 9 21 Manchester City 2009 2013 111 4 Team captain.2 6 Ciaran Clark IRL DF yes 1989 9 26 Aston Villa Academy 2009 2014 79 5 27 Joe Bennett ENG DF yes 1990 3 28 Middlesbrough 2012 2016 30 0 29 Enda Stevens IRL DF yes 1990 7 9 Shamrock Rovers 2012 (Winter) 2015 9 0 30 Eric Lichaj USA DF yes 1988 11 17 Aston Villa Academy 2008 2013 41 2 32 Nathan Baker ENG DF yes 1991 4 23 Aston Villa Academy 2009 2014 43 0 34 Matthew Lowton ENG DF yes 1989 6 9 Sheffield United 2012 2016 44 2 37 Derrick Williams IRL DF yes 1993 1 17 Aston Villa Academy 2012 undisclosed 1 0 Midfielders 7 Stephen Ireland IRL MF yes 1986 8 22 Manchester City 2010 2014 49 1 8 Karim El Ahmadi MAR MF yes 1985 1 27 Feyenoord 2012 2015 23 1 10 Charles N'Zogbia FRA MF yes 1986 5 28 Wigan Athletic 2011 2016 58 5 12 Marc Albrighton ENG MF yes 1989 11 18 Aston Villa Academy 2009 2014 80 9 14 Brett Holman AUS MF yes 1984 3 27 AZ 2012 undisclosed 29 2 15 Ashley Westwood ENG MF yes 1990 4 1 Crewe Alexandra 2012 2016 31 0 16 Fabian Delph ENG MF yes 1989 11 21 Leeds United 2009 2015 69 0 17 Jean Makoun CMR MF yes 1983 5 29 Lyon 2011 (Winter) 2014 11 0On loan to Stade Rennais. 18 Yacouba Sylla MLI MF yes 1990 11 29 Clermont Foot 2013 (Winter) 2016 11 0 19 Stiliyan Petrov BUL MF yes 1979 7 5 Celtic 2006 2013 218 12Petrov was club captain but retired on 9 May 2013.2 25 Barry Bannan SCO MF yes 1989 12 1 Aston Villa Academy 2008 2014 82 2 31 Chris Herd AUS MF yes 1989 4 4 Aston Villa Academy 2008 2015 40 2 38 Gary Gardner ENG MF yes 1992 6 29 Aston Villa Academy 2011 2014 18 0 40 Samir Carruthers IRL MF yes 1993 4 4 Aston Villa Academy 2012 undisclosed 3 0 Forwards 9 Darren Bent ENG FW yes 1984 2 6 Sunderland 2011 (Winter) 2015 64 25 11 Gabriel Agbonlahor ENG FW yes 1986 10 13 Aston Villa Academy 2005 2015 285 72 20 Christian Benteke BEL FW yes 1990 12 3 Racing Genk 2012 2016 39 23 21 Jordan Bowery ENG FW yes 1991 7 2 Chesterfield 2012 2015 12 0 23 Nathan Delfouneso ENG FW yes 1991 2 2 Aston Villa Academy 2008 2014 44 9On loan to Blackpool. 24 Simon Dawkins ENG FW yes 1987 12 1 Tottenham Hotspur 2013 (Winter) 2013 4 0On from Tottenham Hotspur 26 Andreas Weimann AUT FW yes 1991 8 5 Aston Villa Academy 2010 2014 49 13 36 Graham Burke IRL FW yes 1993 12 21 Aston Villa Academy 2012 undisclosed 2 0 1 Guzan was originally signed in 2008 but then released in May 2012, before being re-signed in July 2012 on a new three-year contract.https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/a/aston_villa/7503296.stm Villa-bound Guzan granted permit BBC Sport British Broadcasting Corporation 1 August 2008 22 August 2012 2 Petrov was Aston Villa's club captain, but Vlaar was appointed "team captain" for the season, as Petrov was in remission from leukaemia. Darren Bent was originally named team captain, but Vlaar replaced him from 15 Septemberhttps://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/18385073 Stiliyan Petrov to stay Aston Villa club captain, says Paul Lambert BBC Sport British Broadcasting Corporation 10 June 2012 Reserve squad Players listed in bold are also part of the first team squad, as listed on the club's official website. 35 Jamaica MF Daniel Johnson 36 Ireland FW Graham Burke 37 Ireland DF Derrick Williams 39 Switzerland GK Benjamin Siegrist 40 Ireland MF Samir Carruthers 45 Ireland DF Daniel Devine 47 Spain MF Juan Serrano 50 Hungary MF András Stieber Scotland GK Calum Barrett St. Lucia DF Janoi Donacien Northern Ireland MF Josh Barton England MF Courtney Cameron Ireland FW Michael Drennan Squad numbers Dutchman Ron Vlaar takes over the vacant number 4 after his move from Feyenoord and Ciaran Clark receives the number 6 after James Collins' departure to West Ham. New striker Jordan Bowery takes over Clark's number 21, while new signing Karim El Ahmadi receives the number 8 shirt for this season, last worn by Jermaine Jenas after his short loan spell at Villa last season. Fellow new recruits Brett Holman and Matthew Lowton have been handed the number 14 and 34 shirts respectively. The former occupier of number 14, Nathan Delfouneso, now takes the number 23 shirt as a result of Holman's arrival. Brad Guzan retains the number 22 after being re-signed by Paul Lambert, having previously been released in May 2012. Deadline day signings Ashley Westwood and Christian Benteke will wear number 15 and 20 respectively, whilst Joe Bennett acquires the number 27. Young goalkeeper Benjamin Siegrist has been promoted to the first team for this season and has been handed number 39. PlayerPositionPrevious squad numberNew squad numberPrevious player to wear numberNotesSourceNED Ron VlaarDFN/A4ENG Steve Sidwell (2009–10 season)Squad number was vacant upon player's arrival.http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2868101,00.html? Clark handed No.6, Vlaar No.4 and Lowton requests No.34 avfc.co.uk Aston Villa Football Club 1 August 2012 1 August 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120802234304/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2868101,00.html 2 August 2012 dead dmy-all IRE Ciaran ClarkDF216WAL James Collins (2011–12 season)MAR Karim El AhmadiMFN/A8ENG Jermaine Jenas (2011–12 season)Squad number was vacant upon player's arrival.AUS Brett HolmanFWN/A14ENG Nathan Delfouneso (2011–12 season)Delfouneso vacated the No. 14 upon Holman's arrival.ENG Ashley WestwoodMFN/A15ENG Curtis Davies (2009–10 season)Squad number was vacant upon player's arrival.http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2906031,00.html Transfer deadline media recap: Benteke/Westwood sign in late deals avfc.co.uk Aston Villa Football Club 31 August 2012 2 September 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120903124145/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2906031,00.html 3 September 2012 dead dmy-all https://twitter.com/AVFCOfficial/statuses/241675481802485760 Christian Benteke will wear No.20 while Ashley Westwood is No.15 twitter.com AVFC Official Twitter 31 August 2012 2 September 2012MLI Yacouba SyllaMFN/A18ENG Emile Heskey (2011–12 season)Squad number was vacant upon player's arrival.BEL Christian BentekeFWN/A20IRL Robbie Keane (2011–12 season)Squad number was vacant upon player's arrival.ENG Jordan BoweryFWN/A21IRL Ciaran Clark (2011–12 season)Squad number was vacant upon player's arrival.https://twitter.com/AVFCOfficial/statuses/241543216200036352 Just to confirm, Jordan Bowery will wear No.21. twitter.com AVFC Official Twitter 31 August 2012 2 September 2012ENG Nathan DelfounesoFW1423SEN Habib Beye (2011–12 season)Squad number was previously vacant.ENG Simon DawkinsFWN/A24ESP Carlos Cuéllar (2011–12 season)Squad number was vacant upon player's arrival.ENG Joe BennettDFN/A27ENG Isaiah Osbourne (2010–11 season)Squad number was vacant upon player's arrival.https://twitter.com/AVFCOfficial/status/240873741423366145 Joe Bennett will wear the No.27 shirt. twitter.com AVFC Official Twitter 31 August 2012 2 September 2012ENG Matthew LowtonDFN/A34AUS Shane Lowry (2011–12 season)Squad number was vacant upon player's arrival.SWI Benjamin SiegristGKN/A39ENG Darren Bent (2010–11 season)Siegrist promoted to first team and received #39; squad number was previously vacant. Transfers In Summer DatePositionPlayer namePrevious clubLeagueTransfer feeNotesSource1 July 2012MFAUS Brett HolmanNED AZNED EredivisieFree transferTransfer announced on 12 March 2012; player joined following expiry of contract at AZ.2 July 2012MFMAR Karim El AhmadiNED FeyenoordNED EredivisieUndisclosedFee rumoured to be in region of £2 million.6 July 2012DFENG Matthew LowtonENG Sheffield UnitedENG League OneUndisclosedFee rumoured to be in region of £3 million.16 July 2012GKUSA Brad Guzan UnattachedN/AContract renewalPlayer initially released in May, but rejoined the club on 16 July.http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2850585,00.html USA Tour: Confirmed Villa party set for flight avfc.co.uk Aston Villa Football Club 16 July 2012 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20120718191717/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10265~2850585%2C00.html 18 July 2012 dmy-all 1 August 2012DFNED Ron VlaarNED FeyenoordNED Eredivisie£3.2 million29 August 2012DFENG Joe BennettENG MiddlesbroughENG ChampionshipUndisclosedFee rumoured to be between £2.5 and 4 million.31 August 2012MFENG Ashley WestwoodENG Crewe AlexandraENG League OneUndisclosedFee rumoured to be in region £2 million.31 August 2012FWENG Jordan BoweryENG ChesterfieldENG League TwoUndisclosedFee rumoured to be £500,000, rising to £1m based on appearances.31 August 2012FWBEL Christian BentekeBEL Racing GenkBEL Belgian Pro League£7 million Winter DatePositionPlayer namePrevious clubLeagueTransfer feeNotesSource31 January 2013MFMLI Yacouba SyllaFRA Clermont FootFRA Ligue 2UndisclosedFee rumoured to be in region of £2 million Total spending: £22 million + Out Summer DatePositionPlayer nameNew clubLeagueTransfer feeNotesSource23 May 2012GKUSA Brad GuzanENG Aston VillaENG Premier LeagueContract renewalPlayer initially released in May, but rejoined the club on 16 July.23 May 2012FWENG Emile HeskeyAUS Newcastle United JetsAUS A-LeagueFree transfer (Released)Joined Newcastle United Jets on 21 September 2012, following release from Villa.https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19670705 https://web.archive.org/web/20120922142233/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19670705 dead 22 September 2012 Emile Heskey joins Newcastle Jets in Australia's A-League BBC Sport British Broadcasting Corporation 21 September 2012 23 May 2012DFESP Carlos CuéllarENG SunderlandENG Premier LeagueFree transfer (Released)Joined Sunderland on 2 July 2012, following release from Villa.https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/18672151 Carlos Cuellar signs for Sunderland on a two-year contract BBC Sport British Broadcasting Corporation 2 July 2012 23 May 2012MFENG Ebby Nelson-AddyENG Loughborough UniversityENG Midland AllianceReleasedAcademy player; joined Loughborough University in November 2012, following release from Villa.23 May 2012FWENG Connor TaylorENG WalsallENG League OneFree transfer (Released)Academy player; joined Walsall on 29 July 2012, following release from Villa.https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/19082070 Paul Downing & Connor Taylor sign one-year deals for Walsall BBC Sport British Broadcasting Corporation 1 August 2012 23 May 2012DFENG Charlie WardUnattachedTBDFree transfer (Released)Academy player23 May 2012DFAUS Reece CairaAUS Western Sydney WanderersAUS A LeagueFree transfer (Released)Academy player; joined WSW on 2 August 2012, following release from Villa.http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-sport/aston-villa-fc/aston-villa-news/2012/08/02/aston-villa-defender-in-australian-switch-97319-31534395/ Aston Villa defender in Australian switch Birmingham Mail 2 August 2012 2 August 2012 4 August 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120804171917/http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-sport/aston-villa-fc/aston-villa-news/2012/08/02/aston-villa-defender-in-australian-switch-97319-31534395/ dead 23 May 2012DFIRE Richard BryanENG Hinckley UnitedENG Conference NorthFree transfer (Released)Academy player; joined Hinckley United, following release from Villa.23 May 2012GKENG Matthew CotonENG Rushall OlympicENG Northern Premier League Premier DivisionFree transfer (Released)Academy player23 May 2012FWENG Darious DarkinENG Hinckley UnitedENG Conference NorthFree transfer (Released)Academy player; joined Hinckley United, following release from Villa.23 May 2012DFENG Seb JenkinsUnattachedTBDReleasedAcademy player1 August 2012DFWAL James CollinsENG West Ham UnitedENG Premier League£2.5 million Winter DatePositionPlayer nameNew clubLeagueTransfer feeNotesSource31 January 2013DFENG Stephen WarnockENG Leeds UnitedENG ChampionshipFree transfer Total income: £2.5 million Loans In Winter Date Position Player name New club League Duration Return Date Notes Source31 January 2013FWENG Simon DawkinsENG Tottenham HotspurENG Premier League6 monthsJune 2013 Out Summer Date Position Player name New club League Duration Return Date Notes Source24 August 2012MFCMR Jean MakounFRA RennesFRA Ligue 1Season-longJune 201331 August 2012FWENG Nathan DelfounesoENG BlackpoolENG ChampionshipSeason-longJune 201321 September 2012DFENG Stephen WarnockENG Bolton WanderersENG Championship3 months22 December 2012 Winter Date Position Player name New club League Duration Return Date Notes Source23 October 2012MFENG Daniel JohnsonENG Yeovil TownENG League One1 month21 November 2012https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20433381l Yeovil: Daniel Johnson's loan ends as Jaime Peters earns trial BBC Sport British Broadcasting Corporation 21 November 2012 24 November 2012September 2025 medicmedic22 November 2012DFSCO Alan HuttonENG Nottingham ForestENG Championship1 month1 January 201229 January 2013DFSCO Alan HuttonESP MallorcaESP La Liga6 monthsJune 2013 Club Kit _avfc1213h _avfc1213h _avfc1213h _avfc1213h _avfc1213h 77BBFF 96101b 77BBFF FFFFFF 77BBFF Home _avfc1213h _avfc1213h _avfc1213h _avfc1213h _avfc1213h 77BBFF 96101b 77BBFF 77BBFF 77BBFF Home Alt. _avfc1213a _avfc1213a _avfc1213a _avfc1213a _avfc1213a BFFF00 BFFF00 BFFF00 00012e 00012e Away none center _gk10green 008000 _gk10green 008000 _gk10green 008000 _gk10black 000000 000000 1ª Goalkeeper none center _gk10black 000000 _gk10black 000000 _gk10black 000000 _gk10black 000000 000000 2ª Goalkeeper none center _gk10orange blue EEC900 _gk10orange EEC900 _gk10orange EEC900 _gk10black 000000 000000 3ª Goalkeeper Sponsorship In February 2012, it was announced that Aston Villa will have a new kit sponsor for this season, ending the existing deal with Nike that has been running since 2007. Italian sportswear manufacturer Macron will produce the club's playing and training kits from 2012 to 2013.http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2601340,00.html avfc.co.uk Aston Villa Football Club Villa become flagship UK club in record-breaking deal with Macron 6 February 2012 12 March 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120310160615/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2601340,00.html 10 March 2012 dead dmy-all Villa will become Macron's flagship club in the United Kingdom, and the deal will see the latter producing a full fashion range alongside kit commitments for the managerial and playing staff. Villa's club sponsorship deal with Malaysian-based group Genting Casinos will also continue.http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2380523,00.html avfc.co.uk Aston Villa Football Club Villa announce Genting as new principal partner 22 June 2011 12 March 2012 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20110625012011/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10265~2380523%2C00.html 25 June 2011 Managerial changes The club have appointed a new manager for this season (the third in a row) after Alex McLeish was sacked on 14 May 2012. McLeish only lasted eleven months in charge after replacing Gérard Houllier in June 2011. He was replaced by fellow Scot Paul Lambert on 2 June, who was signed from Norwich City. Lambert remained as Aston Villa manager for the entire season. Date of vacancy Outgoing manager Date of appointment Incoming manager Previous club Notes Source14 May 2012SCO Alex McLeish2 June 2012SCO Paul LambertENG Norwich City Season statistics Appearances {| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 100%; text-align: center;" |- |rowspan="2" |Number |rowspan="2" |Nation |rowspan="2" ; width=95% |Name |colspan="2" |Premier League |colspan="2" |FA Cup |colspan="2" |League Cup |colspan="2" |Total |colspan="1" |Notes |- !width=60 |Start !width=60 |Sub !width=60 |Start !width=60 |Sub !width=60 |Start !width=60 |Sub !width=60 |Start !width=60 |Sub !width=120| |- !colspan=12 |Goalkeepers |- |1 ||Ireland ||Given|| 2 || – || 2 || – || 5 || – || 9 || 0 || |- |22 ||USA ||Guzan|| 36 || – || – || – || 1 || – || 37 || 0 || |- |33 ||England ||Marshall|| – || – || – || – || – || – || 0 || 0 || |- |39 ||Switzerland ||Siegrist|| – || – || – || – || – || – || 0 || 0 || |- !colspan=12 |Defenders |- |2 ||Scotland ||Hutton|| – || – || – || – || – || – || 0 || 0 ||Loaned to Nottingham Forest on 22 November 2012, returned 1 January 2013.Loaned to Mallorca on 29 January 2013. |- |3 ||England ||Warnock|| – || – || – || – || – || – || 0 || 0 ||Loaned to Bolton Wanderers on 21 September 2012, returned 22 December.Transferred to Leeds United on 31 January 2013 |- |4 ||Netherlands ||Vlaar|| 27 || – || 1 || – || 3 || – || 30 || 0 || |- |5 ||Ireland ||Dunne|| – || – || – || – || – || – || 0 || 0 ||Out injured all season. |- |6 ||Ireland ||Clark|| 28 || 1 || 2 || – || 3 || – || 35 || 0 || |- |27 ||England ||Bennett|| 21 || 4 || 2 || – || 2 || – || 25 || 4 || |- |29 ||Ireland ||Stevens|| 6 || 1 || – || – || 1 || 1 || 7 || 2 || |- |30 ||USA ||Lichaj|| 9 || 8 || 2 || – || 3 || 1 || 14 || 9 || |- |32 ||England ||Baker|| 25 || 1 || 1 || – || 2 || – || 28 || 1 || |- |34 ||England ||Lowton|| 37 || – || 1 || – || 5 || – || 43 || 0 || |- |37 ||Ireland ||Williams|| – || 1 || – || – || – || – || 0 || 1 || |- !colspan=12 |Midfielders |- |7 ||Ireland ||Ireland|| 9 || 4 || – || 1 || 3 || – || 12 || 5 || |- |8 ||Morocco ||El Ahmadi|| 12 || 8 || – || – || 3 || – || 15 || 7 || |- |10 ||France ||N'Zogbia|| 11 || 10 || 2 || – || 3 || 2 || 15 || 12 || |- |12 ||England ||Albrighton|| 4 || 5 || 1 || – || – || 1 || 5 || 6 || |- |14 ||Australia ||Holman|| 16 || 11 || – || – || 1 || 1 || 17 || 12 || |- |15 ||England ||Westwood|| 28 || 2 || 1 || – || – || – || 28 || 2 || |- |16 ||England ||Delph|| 19 || 5 || 2 || – || 4 || 1 || 25 || 5 || |- |17 ||Cameroon ||Makoun|| – || – || – || – || – || – || 0 || 0 ||Loaned to Rennes until the end of the season on 24 August 2012. |- |18 ||Mali ||Sylla|| 7 || 4 || – || – || – || – || 8 || 3 ||Signed from Clermont Foot on 31 January 2013. |- |19 ||Bulgaria ||Petrov|| – || – || – || – || – || – || 0 || 0 ||Petrov was in remission during season after being diagnosed with leukemia in March 2012. He then retired on 9 May 2013 |- |25 ||Scotland ||Bannan|| 18 || 6 || 1 || 1 || 3 || – || 24 || 6 || |- |31 ||Australia ||Herd|| 9 || – || – || – || 3 || 1 || 12 || 1 || |- |35 ||England ||Johnson|| – || – || – || – || – || – || 0 || 0 ||Loaned to Yeovil Town on 23 October 2012. Returned 21 November. |- |38 ||England ||Gardner|| – || 2 || – || – || – || – || 0 || 2 ||Out injured from August–March. |- |40 ||Ireland ||Carruthers|| – || – || – || – || – || – || 0 || 0 || |- !colspan=12 |Forwards |- |9 ||England ||Bent|| 8 || 8 || 2 || – || 2 || 2 || 12 || 10 || |- |11 ||England ||Agbonlahor|| 24 || 4 || – || 1 || 3 || – || 27 || 5 || |- |20 ||Belgium ||Benteke|| 32 || 2 || – || – || 5 || – || 39 || 2 || |- |21 ||England ||Bowery|| 3 || 7 || 1 || 1 || – || – || 4 || 8 || |- |23 ||England ||Delfouneso|| 1 || – || – || – || – || – || 1 || 0 ||Loaned to Blackpool until the end of the season on 31 August 2012. |- |24 ||England ||Dawkins|| – || 4 || – || – || – || – || 0 || 4 ||Loaned from Tottenham Hotspur until the end of the season on 31 January 2013. |- |26 ||Austria ||Weimann|| 26 || 4 || 1 || 1 || 4 || 2 || 30 || 7 || |- |36 ||Ireland ||Burke|| – || – || – || – || – || 2 || 0 || 2 || 19 May 2013 August 2012 Players listed are those who have most appearances in respected positions. Includes Cup competitions as well (League Cup & FA Cup). Notes Captains Vlaar NED 4 DF 28 Team captain1 Clark IRL 6 DF 11 Team captain Bent ENG 9 FW 4 Team captain1 Agbonlahor ENG 11 FW 3 Team captain 19 May 2013 1 Bent was originally named as Stiliyan Petrov's successor for the season but Vlaar replaced him from 15 September 2012. Goalscorers Correct as of 19 May 2013 Players with the same number of goals are listed by their position on the club's official website Source lightgrey darkgray Players highlighted in light grey denote the player had scored for the club before leaving for another club Lightcyan darkgray Players highlighted in light cyan denote the player has scored for the club after arriving at Aston Villa during the season #F7ECB7 darkgray 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 Pos.Playing Pos.NationNamePremier LeagueFA CupLeague CupTotal 1 FW BEL Christian Benteke 19 4 232 FW ENG Gabriel Agbonlahor 9 3 12 FW AUT Andreas Weimann 7 1 4 123 FW ENG Darren Bent 3 2 1 64 MF FRA Charles N'Zogbia 2 1 35 DF NED Ron Vlaar 2 2 DF ENG Matthew Lowton 2 2 FW AUS Brett Holman 1 1 26 DF IRL Ciaran Clark 1 1 MF MAR Karim El Ahmadi 1 1 MF ENG Fabian Delph 1 1 MF AUS Chris Herd 1 1Own Goals 1 1Total 47 3 17 67 Clean sheets Includes all competitive matches. R Ranking No. Squad Number Pos Position Nat Nationality NamePremier LeagueFA CupLeague CupTotal122GKUSA Brad Guzan5016TOTALS5016 Disciplinary record Correct as of 19 May 2013 Players with the same number of cards are listed by their position on the club's official website Source lightgrey darkgray Players highlighted in light grey denote the player has received a yellow/red card for the club before leaving for another club Lightcyan darkgray Players highlighted in light cyan denote the player has received a yellow/red card for the club after arriving at Aston Villa during the season #F7ECB7 darkgray Players highlighted in Blonde denote the player has received a yellow/red card for the club before leaving the club on loan for part/the rest of the season One = Two No. Squad Number Nat Nationality Pos Position NamePremier LeagueFA CupLeague CupTotal222216 ENG MF Fabian Delph 7 – – – – – 4 – – 11 0 034 ENG DF Matthew Lowton 10 – – – – – – – – 10 0 06 IRL DF Ciaran Clark 6 – 1 – – – 1 – – 7 0 120 BEL FW Christian Benteke 7 1 – – – – – – – 7 1 027 ENG DF Joe Bennett 4 1 – 1 – – – – – 5 1 030 USA DF Eric Lichaj 6 – – – – – – – – 6 0 08 MAR MF Karim El Ahmadi 5 – – – – – 1 – – 61 0 011 ENG FW Gabriel Agbonlahor 4 – – – – – 1 – – 5 0 010 FRA MF Charles N'Zogbia 1 – – – – – 3 – – 4 0 025 SCO MF Barry Bannan 3 – – – – – 1 – – 4 0 032 ENG DF Nathan Baker 3 – – – – – – – – 3 0 026 AUT FW Andreas Weimann 3 – – – – – – – – 3 0 022 USA GK Brad Guzan 2 – – – – – – – – 2 0 04 NED DF Ron Vlaar 1 – – – – – 1 – – 2 0 018 MLI MF Yacouba Sylla 2 – – – – – – – – 2 0 015 ENG MF Ashley Westwood 2 – – – – – – – – 2 0 029 IRL DF Enda Stevens 1 – – – – – – – – 1 0 07 IRE MF Stephen Ireland 1 – – – – – – – – 1 0 012 ENG MF Marc Albrighton – – – – – – 1 – – 1 0 031 AUS MF Chris Herd 1 – – – – – – – – 1 0 09 ENG FW Darren Bent – – – – – – – – 1 0 014 AUS FW Brett Holman 1 – – – – – – – – 1 0 021 ENG FW Jordan Bowery – – – 1 – – – – – 1 0 0 TOTALS72http://espnfc.com/stats/fairplay/_/league/eng.1/barclays-premier-league?cc=5739# Soccer Teams, Scores, Stats, News, Fixtures, Results, Tables - ESPN2120013008721 Notes 1El Ahmadi received his fifth yellow card of the season against Swindon Town on 30 October 2012. This was not documented on the BBC match report, though the suspension was served. Home attendances Correct as of 11 May 2013 #CCFFCC Win 1px solid #AAAAAA #FFFFCC Draw 1px solid #AAAAAA #FFCCCC Loss 1px solid #AAAAAA Comp Week/Round Date Score Opponent AttendancePremier LeagueWk 2 25 August 2012 1–3 Everton 36,565League CupRd 2 28 August 2012 3–0 Tranmere Rovers 15,319Premier LeagueWk 4 15 September 2012 2–0 Swansea City 34,005Premier LeagueWk 6 30 September 2012 1–1 West Bromwich Albion 34,489Premier LeagueWk 9 27 October 2012 1–1 Norwich City 33,184Premier LeagueWk 11 10 November 2012 2–3 Manchester United 40,538Premier LeagueWk 13 24 November 2012 0–0 Arsenal 34,607Premier LeagueWk 14 27 November 2012 1–0 Reading 28,692Premier LeagueWk 16 8 December 2012 0–0 Stoke City 30,110Premier LeagueWk 19 26 December 2012 0–4 Tottenham Hotspur 36,863Premier LeagueWk 20 29 December 2012 0–3 Wigan Athletic 33,374FA CupRd 3 5 January 2013 2–1 Ipswich Town 24,854Premier LeagueWk 22 12 January 2013 0–1 Southampton 32,500League CupSF (2) 22 January 2013 2–1 Bradford City 40,193Premier LeagueWk 24 29 January 2013 1–2 Newcastle United 30,334Premier LeagueWk 26 10 February 2013 2–1 West Ham United 30,503Premier LeagueWk 28 2 March 2013 0–1 Manchester City 33,217Premier LeagueWk 30 10 March 2013 3–2 Queens Park Rangers 38,594Premier LeagueWk 31 31 March 2013 1–2 Liverpool 42,037Premier LeagueWk 33 13 April 2013 1–1 Fulham 37,011Premier LeagueWk 35 29 April 2013 6–1 Sunderland 37,428Premier LeagueWk 37 11 May 2013 1–2 Chelsea 42,084 Total Attendance746,501 Average League Attendance35,509http://soccernet.espn.go.com/stats/attendance/_/league/eng.1/barclays-premier-league?cc=5739 Barclays Premier League Team Attendance Statistics - 2011-12 - ESPN Soccernet 12 November 2012 9 May 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120509151215/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/stats/attendance/_/league/eng.1/barclays-premier-league?cc=5739 dead Average Attendance33,932 Competitions Overall Premier League 15th 18 August 2012 19 May 2013 y League Cup 2nd round Semi-finals 28 August 2012 22 January 2013 y FA Cup 3rd round 4th Round 5 January 2013 25 January 2013 19 May 2013 Preseason #CCFFCC Win 1px solid #AAAAAA #FFFFCC Draw 1px solid #AAAAAA #FFCCCC Loss 1px solid #AAAAAA #CCCCCC Postponed 1px solid #AAAAAA 14 July 2012http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2698031,00.html Burton Albion pre-season friendly confirmed avfc.co.uk Aston Villa Football Club 28 March 2012 10 May 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120430174333/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2698031,00.html 30 April 2012 dead dmy-all 15:00 UTC±0 Burton Albion 1–2 W Report Aston Villa Weir 9 Holness 42 o.g.Holman 83 Pirelli Stadium Burton upon Trent 4,165 Kevin Friend 1 August 2012http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2817272,00.html Lambert's Lions travel to Peterborough for pre-season clash avfc.co.uk Aston Villa Football Club 20 June 2012 20 June 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120621160445/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2817272,00.html 21 June 2012 dead dmy-all 19:45 UTC±0 Peterborough United 0–2 W Report Aston Villa Johnson 39 Holman 81 London Road Stadium Peterborough 2,071 Andy Woolmer 4 August 2012http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2766164,00.html Villa travel to Nottingham Forest for pre-season clash avfc.co.uk Aston Villa Football Club 10 May 2012 10 May 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120512090655/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2766164,00.html 12 May 2012 dead dmy-all 15:00 UTC±0 Nottingham Forest 3–1 L Report Aston Villa McGugan 71 85 Tudgay 77 Bannan 73 City Ground Nottingham 12,442 Stuart Attwell 11 August 2012http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2830470,00.html Villa announce friendly against German side Werder Bremen avfc.co.uk Aston Villa Football Club 3 July 2012 3 July 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120705221827/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2830470,00.html 5 July 2012 dead dmy-all 18:00 UTC+1 Werder Bremen GER 3–3 D Report Aston Villa Füllkrug 11 Elia 52 Hunt 71 Bent 16 68 Clark 22 Weserstadion Bremen 22,800 US tour On 27 March 2012, the club announced plans for a pre-season tour of the US as part of the preparations for the 2012–13 season. The tour saw the club taking on Major League Soccer clubs from the three US cities of Portland, Chicago and Philadelphia between 18 and 24 July 2012. Villa won all three matches, after 1–0 victories over both Philadelphia Union and Chicago Fire and a penalty shootout victory after an initial 2–2 draw with Portland Timbers. 18 July 2012 UTC−04:00 Philadelphia Union USA 0–1 W Report Aston Villa Delfouneso 43 PPL Park Chester, PA 17,195 21 July 2012 UTC−05:00 Chicago Fire USA 0–1 W Report Aston Villa Agbonlahor 39 Toyota Park Bridgeview, IL 16,388 Daniel Fitzgerald (United States) 24 July 2012 UTC−07:00 Portland Timbers USA 2–2 D Report Aston Villa Rincón 76Wallace 81 Clark 42Lowton 80 Jeld-Wen Field Portland, OR 20,438 Juan Guzmán (United States) Rincón Jean-Baptiste Songo'o Renken Dike 4–5 Bannan Lichaj Gardner N'Zogbia Carruthers Premier League 2012–13 Premier League League table AST Games played 46 (38 Premier League, 2 FA Cup, 6 League Cup)Games won 16 (10 Premier League, 1 FA Cup, 5 League Cup)Games drawn 11 (11 Premier League)Games lost 19 (17 Premier League, 1 League Cup, 1 FA Cup)Goals scored 67 (47 Premier League, 3 FA Cup, 17 League Cup)Goals conceded 81 (69 Premier League, 3 FA Cup, 9 League Cup)Total goal difference −14 (−22 Premier League, 0 FA Cup, +8 League Cup)Clean sheets 6 (5 Premier League, 1 League Cup)Yellow Cards 87 (72 Premier League, 2 FA Cup, 13 League Cup)Red Cards 3 (3 Premier League)Most appearances ENG Matthew Lowton (44)Top scorer BEL Christian Benteke (23)Worst Discipline ENG Fabian Delph (11 )Best Result 6–1 vs Sunderland (H), Premier League (29 April 2013)Worst Result 8–0 vs Chelsea (A), Premier League (23 December 2012)Points 41 Results summary 5 5 9 23 28 5 6 8 24 41 19 May 2013 Competitive matches August 2012 Results by matchday table b Match Ground A/H/A/H/A/H/A/A/H/A/H/A/H/H/A/H/A/A/H/H/A/H/A/H/A/H/A/H/A/H/H/A/H/A/H/A/H/A Result L/L/D/W/L/D/L/L/D/W/L/L/D/W/D/D/W/L/L/L/D/L/D/L/D/W/L/L/W/W/L/W/D/L/W/W/L/D Position 15/20/17/13/14/15/16/17/17/17/17/18/18/17/15/16/14/16/16/17/16/18/17/19/19/17/18/18/17/17/18/16/17/17/16/13/16/15 Home Away green2 Win yellow2 Draw red2 Loss 1st 2nd 3rd red1 19 May 2013 Premier League August 2012 Matches 2012–13 Premier League #CCFFCC Win 1px solid #AAAAAA #FFFFCC Draw 1px solid #AAAAAA #FFCCCC Loss 1px solid #AAAAAA #CCCCCC Postponed 1px solid #AAAAAA 18 August 2012 15:00 BST 1 West Ham United 1–0 L AVFC BBC Aston Villa Nolan 40 Clark 39 Boleyn Ground London 34,172 Mike Dean 25 August 2012 15:00 BST 2 Aston Villa 1–3 L AVFC BBC Everton Clark 0 57 El Ahmadi 74, 82 Pienaar 3 Fellaini 31 Jelavić 43 Villa Park Birmingham 36,565 Michael Oliver 2 September 2012 16:00 BST 3 Newcastle United 1–1 D AVFC BBC Aston Villa Ben Arfa 59 Gutiérrez 85 Clark 22 El Ahmadi 27 Lichaj 90 Guzan 90+2 Holman 90+4 Sports Direct Arena Newcastle upon Tyne 48,245 Lee Probert 15 September 2012 15:00 BST 4 Aston Villa 2–0 W AVFC BBC Swansea City Lowton 16, 37 Clark 25 Lichaj 80 Benteke 88 Michu 40 Villa Park Birmingham 34,005 Lee Mason 22 September 2012 15:00 BST 5 Southampton 4–1 L AVFC BBC Aston Villa Lambert 58 90+5 pen. Clyne 63, 65 Puncheon 72 Bent 36 Vlaar 43 Lichaj 53 Guzan 90+4 St Mary's Stadium Southampton 30,713 Jonathan Moss 30 September 2012 16:00 BST 6 Aston Villa 1–1 D AVFCBBC West Bromwich Albion Delph 23Bent 80 Long 51Tamaș 90+4 Villa Park Birmingham 34,489 Anthony Taylor 7 October 2012 15:00 BST 7 Tottenham Hotspur 2–0 L AVFC BBC Aston Villa Caulker 58 Lennon 67 Walker 73 Delph 27 Bennett 47 El Ahmadi 57 White Hart Lane London 35,802 Neil Swarbrick 20 October 2012 15:00 BST 8 Fulham 1–0 L AVFC BBC Aston Villa Riise 70 Baird 84 El Ahmadi 50 Lichaj 77 Craven Cottage London 25,693 Chris Foy 27 October 2012 12:45 BST 9 Aston Villa 1–1 D AVFC BBC Norwich City Benteke 27 Bennett 2 29 52 Herd 63 Turner 79 Villa Park Birmingham 33,184 Phil Dowd 3 November 2012 15:00 GMT 10 Sunderland 0–1 W AVFC BBC Aston Villa Bardsley 33 Fletcher 90 Lichaj 45+3 Agbonlahor 57 Clark 69 Benteke 81 Stadium of Light Sunderland 41,515 Mike Jones 10 November 2012 17:30 GMT 11 Aston Villa 2–3 L AVFC BBC Manchester United Weimann 45+1 50 Ireland 56 Hernández 58 87 Vlaar 63 o.g. Carrick 65 Villa Park Birmingham 40,538 Kevin Friend 17 November 2012 15:00 GMT 12 Manchester City 5–0 L AVFC BBC Aston Villa Silva 43 Agüero 54 pen., 67 Tevez 65 pen., 74 Bannan 56 Etihad Stadium Manchester 47,072 (989 away) Jon Moss 24 November 2012 17:30 GMT 13 Aston Villa 0–0 D AVFC BBC Arsenal El Ahmadi 22 Villa Park Birmingham 34,607 Lee Mason 27 November 2012 20:00 GMT 14 Aston Villa 1–0 W AVFC BBC Reading Clark 64Benteke 80 Villa Park Birmingham 28,692 1 December 2012 15:00 GMT 15 Queens Park Rangers 1–1 D AVFC BBC Aston Villa Mackie 18Derry 61 Holman 8Baker 48Lowton 63 Loftus Road London 17,387 Howard Webb 8 December 2012 15:00 GMT 16 Aston Villa 0–0 D AVFC BBC Stoke City Shotton 2 75 90+2 Villa Park Birmingham 30,110 Roger East 15 December 2012 15:00 GMT 17 Liverpool 1–3 W AVFC BBC Aston Villa Gerrard 87 Suárez 89 Benteke 29 51, 88 Weimann 40 Lowton 65 Anfield Liverpool 44,607 Neil Swarbrick 23 December 2012 16:00 GMT 18 Chelsea 8–0 L AVFC BBC Aston Villa Torres 3 David Luiz 29 Ivanović 34 Lampard 59 Ramires 76 90+1 Oscar 79 pen. Hazard 83 Stamford Bridge London 41,363 Phil Dowd Aston Villa's worst defeat in their 138-year history.Rafael Benítez promises more Chelsea improvement after rout of Villa Chelsea The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2012/dec/23/chelsea-rafael-benitez 2026-09-03 www.theguardian.com 26 December 2012 15:00 GMT 19 Aston Villa 0–4 L AVFC BBC Tottenham Hotspur Delph 69 Defoe 57 Bale 61 73 84 Villa Park Birmingham 36,863 Mark Clattenburg 29 December 2012 15:00 GMT 20 Aston Villa 0–3 L AVFC BBC Wigan Athletic Bannan 55 Lowton 80 Weimann 90 Ramis 3 Boyce 36, 52 Maloney 43 Koné 56 Villa Park Birmingham 33,374 Kevin Friend 1 January 2013 15:00 GMT 21 Swansea City 2–2 D AVFC BBC Aston Villa Routledge 9 Graham 90+4 Clark 40 Weimann 41, 44 Delph 41 Stevens 45+1 Benteke 84 pen. Liberty Stadium Swansea 20,406 Mark Halsey 12 January 2013 15:00 GMT 22 Aston Villa 0–1 L AVFC BBC Southampton Weimann 90+4 Lambert 34 pen. Boruc 90+2 Villa Park Birmingham 32,500 Mark Halsey 19 January 2013 17:30 GMT 23 West Bromwich Albion 2–2 D AVFC BBC Aston Villa Olsson 21 Lukaku 43 Brunt 49 Dorrans 62 Odemwingie 83 Benteke 12 Agbonlahor 21, 31 Lichaj 58 Lowton 61 The Hawthorns West Bromwich 25,583 Lee Probert 29 January 2013 19:45 GMT 24 Aston Villa 1–2 L AVFC BBC Newcastle United N'Zogbia 42Benteke 49 pen., 61Baker 67Lowton 76Agbonlahor 78 Cissé 19Cabaye 31Gutiérrez 52Ameobi 87 Villa Park Birmingham 30,334 Mike Dean 2 February 2013 15:00 GMT 25 Everton 3–3 D AVFC BBC Aston Villa Anichebe 21 Fellaini 68 90+3 Osman 89 Benteke 2 61, 45+1 Agbonlahor 24, 88 Lowton 63 Sylla 90+6 Goodison Park Liverpool 38,121 Mike Jones 10 February 2013 13:30 GMT 26 Aston Villa 2–1 W AVFC BBC West Ham United Baker 72 Benteke 74 pen. N'Zogbia 78 Bent 87 Clark 90+2 Pogatetz 45 Reid 78 Westwood 87 o.g. Villa Park Birmingham 30,503 Mark Clattenburg 23 February 2013 15:00 GMT 27 Arsenal 2–1 L AVFC BBC Aston Villa Cazorla 6 85 Diaby 37 Lowton 36 Delph 66 Weimann 68 Emirates Stadium London 60,079 Martin Atkinson 4 March 2013 20:00 GMT 28 Aston Villa 0–1 L AVFC BBC Manchester City Benteke 75 Delph 90+3 Tevez 45+1 Villa Park Birmingham 33,217 Mike Dean 9 March 2013 15:00 GMT 29 Reading 1–2 W AVFC BBC Aston Villa Baker 32 o.g. Hunt 54 McAnuff 87 Lowton 10 Benteke 33, 67 Agbonlahor 45 Westwood 85 Madejski Stadium Reading 24,102 Jonathan Moss 16 March 2013 15:00 GMT 30 Aston Villa 3–2 W AVFC BBC Queens Park Rangers Sylla 31 Bannan 42 Weimann 45+1, 59 Agbonlahor 45+3 Benteke 81 Mbia 13 Jenas 23 Townsend 73 Hoilett 88 Villa Park Birmingham 38,594 Kevin Friend 31 March 2013 13:30 GMT 31 Aston Villa 1–2 L AVFC BBC Liverpool Benteke 31 Westwood 90+1 Henderson 47 Gerrard 48, 60 pen. Villa Park Birmingham 6 April 2013 15:00 BST 32 Stoke City 1–3 W AVFC BBC Aston Villa Shotton 64 Shawcross 66 Kightly 80 Adam 90+2 Agbonlahor 9, 35 Lowton 87 Benteke 90+1 Britannia Stadium Stoke-on-Trent 27,544 Mark Clattenburg 13 April 2013 15:00 BST 33 Aston Villa 1–1 D AVFC BBC Fulham N'Zogbia 55 Sylla 69 Enoh 58 Delph 66 o.g. Richardson 87 Villa Park Birmingham 37,011 Phil Dowd 22 April 2013 20:00 BST 34 Manchester United 3–0 L AVFC BBC Aston Villa Van Persie 2 13 33 Evra 28 Old Trafford Manchester 75,591 Anthony Taylor 29 April 2013 20:00 BST 35 Aston Villa 6–1 W AVFC BBC Sunderland Vlaar 31 Weimann 37 Benteke 55 59 72 Agbonlahor 88 Rose 32, 66 Cuéllar 34 Sessègnon 0 70 Bardsley 76 Villa Park Birmingham 37,428 Lee Probert 4 May 2013 15:00 BST 36 Norwich City 1–2 W AVFC BBC Aston Villa Johnson 59 Holt 74 pen. R. Bennett 90+5 J. Bennett 18 Delph 54 Agbonlahor 55 89 Benteke 68 Carrow Road Norwich 26,842 Kevin Friend 11 May 2013 12:45 GMT 37 Aston Villa 1–2 L AVFC BBC Chelsea Baker 4 Benteke 14, 2 36 58 Lampard 61 88, 85 Ramires 2 16 44 Terry 42 Villa Park Birmingham 42,084 Lee Mason 19 May 2013 15:00 BST 38 Wigan Athletic 2–2 D AVFCBBC Aston Villa Boyce 21, 83 Baker 45 o.g. McCarthy 70 Bent 5 Lowton 41 Vlaar 61 DW Stadium Wigan Neil Swarbrick FA Cup 2012–13 FA Cup Round 3 4 Ground H A Result2–11–2 5 January 2013 15:00 UTC±0 Third round Aston Villa 2–1 W AVFC BBC Ipswich Town Bent 46 Weimann 83 Kisnorbo 12 Chopra 31 Hyam 81 Villa Park Birmingham 24,854 Jonathan Moss 25 January 2013 19:45 UTC±0 Fourth round Millwall 2–1 L AVFC BBC Aston Villa Shittu 27 Beevers 81 Marquis 89 Bent 22 Bennett 53 Bowery 82 The Den London 15,007 Neil Swarbrick League Cup 2012–13 Football League Cup Round 2 3 4 QF SF (1) SF (2) Ground H A A A A H Result3–04–2(aet)3–24–11–32–1 28 August 2012 19:45 UTC±0 Second round Aston Villa 3–0 W AVFC BBC Tranmere Rovers Delph 38, 78 Herd 66 Bent 81 Bannan 84 Taylor 28 Holmes 84 Villa Park Birmingham 15,319 James Adcock 25 September 2012 19:45 UTC±0 Third round Manchester City 2–4 yes W AVFC BBC Aston Villa Balotelli 27 Tevez 45+1 Kolarov 64, 114 Razak 90+5 K. Touré 108 Delph 45+1 Barry 59 o.g. Vlaar 63 Agbonlahor 70 113 Albrighton 88 N'Zogbia 97, 102 Etihad Stadium Manchester 28,015 Phil Dowd 30 October 2012 19:45 UTC±0 Fourth round Swindon Town 2–3 W AVFC BBC Aston Villa Flint 14 Storey 78 81 Benteke 30 90 Agbonlahor 39, 78 El Ahmadi 86 County Ground Swindon 14,434 Stuart Attwell 11 December 2012 19:45 UTC±0 Quarter-finals Norwich City 1–4 W AVFC BBC Aston Villa Morison 19 Holman 21 Weimann 79 85 Benteke 90+1 Carrow Road Norwich 26,142 Michael Oliver 8 January 2013 19:45 UTC±0 Semi-finalsFirst Leg Bradford City 3–1 L AVFC BBC Aston Villa Wells 19 McArdle 77 McHugh 88, 89 N'Zogbia 61 Delph 78 Weimann 82 Valley Parade Bradford 22,245 Howard Webb 22 January 2013 19:45 UTC±0 Semi-finalsSecond Leg Aston Villa 2–1 3–4 W AVFC BBC Bradford City Clark 22 Benteke 23 N'Zogbia 83 Weimann 89 Delph 90+2 Hanson 55 Villa Park Birmingham 40,193 Phil Dowd Notes lower-alpha References Aston Villa Category:Aston Villa F.C. seasons