1995–96 Aston Villa F.C. season

During the 1995–96 English football season, Aston Villa competed in the Premier League. Villa made huge progress in their first full season under Brian Little's management. He had arrived at Villa Park in November 1994, taking charge of a side faced with a real threat of relegation just 18 months after almost winning the Premier League title. The rebuilding process had started almost immediately, with Little quickly discarding the likes of Kevin Richardson, Garry Parker, Earl Barrett and Ray Houghton, and bringing in Ian Taylor, Gary Charles, Alan Wright and Tommy Johnson as mid-season signings. The rebuilding process had continued over the summer of 1995, with Shaun Teale, Dalian Atkinson and even top scorer Dean Saunders heading out of the Villa Park exit door, in favour of new signings including Gareth Southgate and Serbian striker Savo Milosevic - who both broke the club's transfer record in quick succession.

Aston Villa
1995–96 season
ChairmanDoug Ellis
ManagerBrian Little
StadiumVilla Park
Premiership4th
FA CupSemi-finals
League CupWinners
Top goalscorerLeague: Yorke (17)
All: Yorke (25)
Highest home attendance39,336 vs Manchester City
(27 Apr 1996, Premier League)
Lowest home attendance17,679 vs Stockport County
(25 Oct 1995, League Cup)
Average home league attendance31,688[1]

Villa finished fourth in the league and matched Liverpool's record of five League Cup victories (Liverpool have since reclaimed the record with victories in 2001, 2003 and 2012) thanks to a 3-0 Wembley win over Leeds United in March.[2] Villa were also FA Cup semi-finalists, but their hopes of a Wembley double were ended with a defeat to Liverpool.

A new-look Villa side proved itself to be one of the finest in the country thanks to the likes of Gary Charles, Alan Wright, Ian Taylor and Mark Draper. Trinidadian striker Dwight Yorke proved himself as one of the Premier League's most competent goalscorers, though there were some doubts regarding the suitability of Savo Milošević as the man to replace Dean Saunders.

The club's longest-serving player, veteran goalkeeper Nigel Spink, left Villa halfway through the season after nearly 20 years to sign for local rivals West Bromwich Albion in Division One.

After the season ended, Little paid a club record £4million for Serbian midfielder Sasa Curcic. With Gary Charles facing a long stretch on the sidelines with a serious ankle injury picked up during the final weeks of the season, Little signed Portuguese right-back Fernando Nelson.

Final league table
Main article: 1995–96 FA Premier League
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification or relegation
2 Newcastle United 38 24 6 8 66 37 +29 78 Qualification for the UEFA Cup first round
3 Liverpool 38 20 11 7 70 34 +36 71 Qualification for the Cup Winners' Cup first round[lower-alpha 1]
4 Aston Villa 38 18 9 11 52 35 +17 63 Qualification for the UEFA Cup first round
5 Arsenal 38 17 12 9 49 32 +17 63
6 Everton 38 17 10 11 64 44 +20 61
Source: Premier League
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored.
Notes:
  1. Liverpool qualified for the Cup Winners' Cup as FA Cup runners-up, as winners Manchester United already qualified for the Champions League. They defaulted their UEFA Cup spot from league position to Arsenal.
Results summary
OverallHomeAway
PldWDLGFGAGDPtsWDLGFGAGDWDLGFGAGD
38 18 9 11 52 35  +17 63 11 5 3 32 15  +17 7 4 8 20 20  0

Source: Statto

Results by matchday
Match1234567891011121314151617181920212223242526272829303132333435363738
GroundHAAHAHHAHAHAHAAHAHAAAHHHAAHAHHAHAHAHHA
ResultWWLWDWDWLLWWDWLDDWLWDWLWWDWLWWLDWWLDLL
Position23655352677543446465756444444444444444
Source: Statto.com
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

Results

Aston Villa's score comes first[3]

Legend
Win Draw Loss

FA Premier League
DateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorers
19 August 1995Manchester UnitedH3-134,655Taylor 14', Draper 27', Yorke 36' (pen)
23 August 1995Tottenham HotspurA1-026,726Ehiogu 69'
26 August 1995Leeds UnitedA0-235,086
30 August 1995Bolton WanderersH1-031,770Yorke 75'
9 September 1995Blackburn RoversA1-127,084Milošević 33'
16 September 1995WimbledonH2-026,928Draper 7', Taylor 47'
23 September 1995Nottingham ForestH1-133,972Townsend 67'
30 September 1995Coventry CityA3-020,987Yorke 1', Milošević 84', 87'
14 October 1995ChelseaH0-134,922
21 October 1995ArsenalA0-238,271
28 October 1995EvertonH1-032,792Yorke 76'
4 November 1995West Ham UnitedA4-123,637Milošević 33', 89', Johnson 49', Yorke 54'
18 November 1995Newcastle UnitedH1-139,167Johnson 22'
20 November 1995SouthamptonA1-013,582Johnson 30'
25 November 1995Manchester CityA0-128,027
2 December 1995ArsenalH1-137,770Yorke 65'
10 December 1995Nottingham ForestA1-125,790Yorke 47'
16 December 1995Coventry CityH4-128,486Johnson 12', Milošević 48', 63', 90'
23 December 1995Queens Park RangersA0-114,778
1 January 1996MiddlesbroughA2-028,535Wright 21', Johnson 40'
13 January 1996Manchester UnitedA0-042,667
21 January 1996Tottenham HotspurH2-135,666McGrath 23', Yorke 79'
31 January 1996LiverpoolH0-239,332
3 February 1996Leeds UnitedH3-035,982Yorke 11', 23', Wright 62'
10 February 1996Bolton WanderersA2-018,099Yorke 40', 53'
24 February 1996WimbledonA3-312,193Reeves 33' (own goal), Yorke 49' (pen), Cunningham 58' (own goal)
28 February 1996Blackburn RoversH2-028,008Joachim 55', Southgate 71'
3 March 1996LiverpoolA0-339,508
6 March 1996Sheffield WednesdayH3-227,893Milošević 61', 62', Townsend 75'
9 March 1996Queens Park RangersH4-228,221Milošević 18', Yorke 65', 80', Yates 82' (own goal)
16 March 1996Sheffield WednesdayA0-222,964
19 March 1996MiddlesbroughH0-023,933
6 April 1996ChelseaA2-123,530Milošević 39', Yorke 59'
8 April 1996SouthamptonH3-034,059Taylor 64', Charles 78', Yorke 82'
14 April 1996Newcastle UnitedA0-136,510
17 April 1996West Ham UnitedH1-126,768McGrath 27'
27 April 1996Manchester CityH0-139,336
5 May 1996EvertonA0-140,127

FA Cup
Main article: 1995–96 FA Cup
RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceGoalscorers
R36 January 1996Gravesend & NorthfleetH3-026,021Draper 2', Milošević 47', Johnson 72'
R428 January 1996Sheffield UnitedA1-018,749Yorke 63' (pen)
R517 February 1996Ipswich TownA3-120,748Draper 10', Yorke 19', Taylor 53'
QF13 March 1996Nottingham ForestA1-021,067Carr 26'
SF31 March 1996LiverpoolN0-339,072

League Cup
Main article: 1995–96 Football League Cup
RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceGoalscorers
R2 1st Leg20 September 1995Peterborough UnitedH6-019,602Draper 12', Yorke pens 15', 42', Johnson 69', Heald 81' (own goal), Southgate 89'
R2 2nd Leg3 October 1995Peterborough UnitedA1-1 (won 7-1 on agg)5,745Staunton 87'
R325 October 1995Stockport CountyH2-017,679Ehiogu 57', Yorke 65'
R429 November 1995Queens Park RangersH1-024,951Townsend 60'
R510 January 1996Wolverhampton WanderersH1-039,277Johnson 66'
SF 1st Leg14 February 1996ArsenalA2-237,562Yorke 39', 72'
SF 2nd Leg21 February 1996ArsenalH0-0 (won on away goals)39,334
F24 March 1996Leeds UnitedN3-077,065Milošević 21', Taylor 55', Yorke 90'

Players

First-team squad
Squad at end of season[4][5]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK  AUS Mark Bosnich
2 DF  ENG Gary Charles
3 DF  IRL Steve Staunton
4 DF  ENG Gareth Southgate
5 DF  IRL Paul McGrath[notes 1]
6 DF  ENG Carl Tiler
7 MF  ENG Ian Taylor
8 MF  ENG Mark Draper
9 FW  SCG Savo Milošević[notes 2]
10 FW  ENG Tommy Johnson
11 MF  IRL Andy Townsend[notes 3] (captain)
No. Pos. Nation Player
13 GK  ENG Nigel Spink
14 DF  ENG Alan Wright
15 MF  ENG Lee Hendrie
16 DF  ENG Ugo Ehiogu
18 FW  TRI Dwight Yorke
19 MF  IRL Gareth Farrelly
20 DF  ENG Riccardo Scimeca
21 DF  SCO Paul Browne
23 FW  ENG Neil Davis
24 MF  SCO Scott Murray
26 FW  ENG Julian Joachim

Left club during season

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
15 FW  ENG Graham Fenton (to Blackburn Rovers)
No. Pos. Nation Player
17 MF  ENG Franz Carr (to Reggiana)

Reserve squad
The following players made most of their appearances this season for the reserves, and did not appear for the first-team, or only appeared for the first-team in friendlies.

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
12 DF  ENG Phil King
22 MF  ENG David Farrell
25 MF  ENG Steve Cowe
28 MF  ENG Trevor Berry
30 GK  ENG Michael Oakes
35 GK  ENG Adam Rachel
— GK  ENG Stuart Brock
— DF  ENG Jamie Impey
— DF  ENG Andy Mitchell
— DF  ENG Ben Petty
— DF  ENG Bryan Small
No. Pos. Nation Player
— DF  SCO Allan Evans (reserves assistant manager)
— DF  GER Leslie Hines
— DF  ITA Giuseppe Accardi
— DF  ITA Nicola Caricola (on trial)
— MF  ENG Lee Burchell
— MF  ENG John Gregory (coach)
— MF  ENG David Moore
— MF  SCO Kevin MacDonald (coach)
— FW  ENG Darren Byfield[notes 4]
—  ENG Marc Senior

Youth squad
The following players spent most of the season playing for the youth team, and did not appear for the first team, but may have appeared for the reserve team.

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
— GK  ENG Philip Elias
— GK  ENG Matthew George
— DF  ENG Lee Collins
— DF  ENG Guy Hadland
— DF  ENG Reuben Hazell
— DF  ENG John Hickman
— DF  ENG Tommy Jaszczun
— DF  ENG Aaron Lescott
— DF  ENG Jonathan Miley
— DF  ENG Dominic Reece
— DF  WAL David Hughes
No. Pos. Nation Player
— MF  ENG Darren Middleton
— MF  ENG Danny Richards
— MF  ENG Philip Tongue
— MF  IRL Alan Kirby
— FW  ENG Richard Burgess
— FW  ENG Mark Jones
— FW  ENG Darius Vassell
— FW  ENG Richard Walker
— FW  IRL Alan Lee

Schoolboys
The following players were signed to Aston Villa as associated schoolboys, and did not appear for the youth or reserve teams this season.

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
— DF  ENG Michael Blackwood
— MF  ENG Mark Appleby
No. Pos. Nation Player
—   James Halliday

Other players
The following players were signed to Aston Villa on unknown contractual terms, and did not appear for the youth or reserve teams this season.

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
— MF  ENG Dean Bennett
— MF  POR António Pacheco (on trial from Sporting CP)
No. Pos. Nation Player
— FW  ENG Nathan Harvey

Transfers

In
Date Pos Name From Fee
26 June 1995 FW Savo Milošević FK Partizan £3,500,000
1 July 1995 DF Gareth Southgate Crystal Palace £2,500,000
5 July 1995 MF Mark Draper Leicester City £3,250,000

Out
Date Pos Name To Fee
1 July 1995 FW Dean Saunders Galatasaray £2,350,000
3 July 1995 DF Dennis Pearce Wolverhampton Wanderers Free transfer
1 August 1995 FW Dalian Atkinson Fenerbahçe Signed
14 August 1995 DF Shaun Teale Tranmere Rovers £450,000
13 September 1995 DF Darren Evans Hereford United Free transfer
14 September 1995 MF David Farrell Wycombe Wanderers £100,000
13 October 1995 MF Trevor Berry Rotherham United £20,000
1 March 1996 DF Bryan Small Bolton Wanderers Free transfer
21 March 1996 MF Steve Cowe Swindon Town £100,000
Transfers in: £9,250,000
Transfers out: £3,020,000
Total spending: £6,230,000

Statistics

Appearances and goals
No. Pos Nat Player TotalPremier LeagueFA CupLeague Cup
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Goalkeepers
1 GK Mark Bosnich 5103805080
13 GK Nigel Spink 200+200000
Defenders
2 DF Gary Charles 4713415080
3 DF Steve Staunton 19111+201+102+21
4 DF Gareth Southgate 4313114080
5 DF Paul McGrath 40229+123+105+10
6 DF Carl Tiler 10100000
14 DF Alan Wright 5123825080
16 DF Ugo Ehiogu 4923615081
21 DF Paul Browne 20200000
Midfielders
7 MF Ian Taylor 34524+132+115+11
8 MF Mark Draper 4943625280
11 MF Andy Townsend 45332+124081
15 MF Lee Hendrie 302+100000
19 MF Gareth Farrelly 601+40000+10
20 MF Riccardo Scimeca 2207+100201+20
24 MF Scott Murray 30300000
Forwards
9 FW Savo Milošević 491436+1125171
10 FW Tommy Johnson 31717+653+1141
18 FW Dwight Yorke 482335175284
23 FW Neil Davis 300+200+1000
26 FW Julian Joachim 1114+710000
Players transferred out during the season
15 MF Graham Fenton 500+300+2000
17 MF Franz Carr 21101100

Last updated: 30 May 1996
Source: Competitions

Starting 11
Considering starts in all competitions[6]
No.
 Pos.
 Nat.
 Name
 MS Notes
1 GK Mark Bosnich 51
2 RB Gary Charles 47
4 CB Gareth Southgate 43
5 CB Paul McGrath 37
16 CB Ugo Ehiogu 49
14 LB Alan Wright 51
7 CM Ian Taylor 42
8 CM Mark Draper 49
11 CM Andy Townsend 44
9 CF Savo Milošević 48
18 CF Dwight Yorke 48

References
  1. 760,503/24
  2. "Milosevic gives Villa a touch of magic". The Independent. 25 March 1996. Retrieved 1 March 2012.
  3. "Aston Villa 1995-1996 Home - statto.com". Archived from the original on 7 March 2012. Retrieved 1 March 2012.
  4. http://www.footballsquads.co.uk/eng/1995-1996/faprem/avilla.htm
  5. http://www.astonvillaplayerdatabase.com/1995-96.html
  6. http://www.11v11.com/teams/aston-villa/tab/players/season/1996

Notes
  1. McGrath was born in Ealing, England, but was raised in the Republic of Ireland and made his international debut for the Republic of Ireland in 1985.
  2. Milošević was born in Bijeljina, Yugoslavia (now Bosnia and Herzegovina).
  3. Townsend was born in Maidstone, England, but also qualified to represent the Republic of Ireland internationally through his grandmother and made his international debut for the Republic of Ireland in February 1989.
  4. Byfield was born in Sutton Coldfield, England, but also qualifies to represent Jamaica internationally and would make his international debut for Jamaica in 2003.
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