2002–03 Aston Villa F.C. season

The 2002–03 season was Aston Villa's 11th season in the Premier League, and their 15th consecutive season in the top division of English football.[1]

Aston Villa
2002–03 season
ChairmanDoug Ellis
ManagerGraham Taylor
Premier League16th
FA CupThird round
League CupQuarter-finals
UEFA Intertoto CupSemi-finals
Top goalscorerLeague: Dion Dublin (10)
All: Dion Dublin (14)

Fans had hoped that the return of successful former manager Graham Taylor would spark a serious challenge for honours once more, but the actual result was Villa's worst Premier League campaign in eight years, with the club in serious danger of relegation throughout the season. Survival was only achieved in the penultimate game of the season with a victory over already-doomed Sunderland; Taylor was soon on his way out of the club for good.

Players

First-team squad
Squad at end of season[2][3]

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  FIN Peter Enckelman
2 DF  WAL Mark Delaney
3 DF  ENG Alan Wright
4 DF  SWE Olof Mellberg
5 DF  TUR Alpay Özalan
6 DF  ENG Gareth Barry
7 MF  ENG Ian Taylor
8 FW  COL Juan Pablo Ángel
9 FW  ENG Dion Dublin
10 FW  ENG Darius Vassell
11 DF  IRL Steve Staunton
12 MF  GER Thomas Hitzlsperger
13 GK  NED Stefan Postma
14 FW  SWE Marcus Allbäck
15 DF  ECU Ulises de la Cruz
No. Pos. Nation Player
16 FW  ENG Peter Crouch
17 MF  ENG Lee Hendrie
19 FW  CRO Boško Balaban
20 MF  MAR Mustapha Hadji
21 DF  ENG Jlloyd Samuel[notes 1]
22 MF  MAR Hassan Kachloul
24 DF  ENG Liam Ridgewell
25 FW  ENG Stefan Moore
26 MF  IRL Mark Kinsella
27 DF  NOR Ronny Johnsen
28 MF  NOR Øyvind Leonhardsen
29 MF  ENG Peter Whittingham
30 DF  WAL Rob Edwards[notes 2]
31 DF  ENG Stephen Cooke
33 DF  ISL Joey Guðjónsson (on loan from Real Betis)

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
6 MF  NED George Boateng[notes 3] (to Middlesbrough)
10 FW  ENG Paul Merson (to Portsmouth)
18 MF  ENG Steve Stone (to Portsmouth)
No. Pos. Nation Player
23 MF  ENG Michael Boulding (to Grimsby Town)
77 MF  ENG Michael Soraghan (to Middlesbrough)

Reserve squad
The following players made most of their appearances for the reserves this season, but may have also appeared for the reserves or the U-17s, or may have appeared for the first team in a friendly.

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

No. Pos. Nation Player
37 GK  ENG Boaz Myhill[notes 4]
38 MF  IRL John McGrath
40 MF  IRL Keith Fahey
— DF  ENG Leon Hylton
No. Pos. Nation Player
— DF  ENG Danny Jackman
— MF  NIR Gavin Melaugh
— FW  ENG Jon Bewers
—   Seyi Morgan

U-19 squad
The following players made most of their appearances for the U-19s this season, but may have also appeared for the reserves or the U-17s.

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

No. Pos. Nation Player
39 GK  IRL Wayne Henderson
42 FW  IRL Peter Hynes
— GK  ENG Antoni Pecora
— GK  IRL Stephen Gahan
— DF  ENG Scott Cormell
— DF  ENG James O'Connor
— DF  ENG Cameron Stuart
— DF  ENG Oliver Williams
— DF  IRL Pierre Ennis
— MF  ENG Ryan Amoo
No. Pos. Nation Player
— MF  ENG Adam Baptist (on trial to Stoke City)
— MF  SCO Colin Marshall
— MF  NIR Steven Davis
— MF  NIR Jamie Ward[notes 5]
— FW  ENG Mark Atkinson
— FW  ENG Michael Husbands
— FW  SCO Alan Brazil
— FW  FIN Mika Aaritalo
— MF   David Nolan

U-17 squad
The following players made most of their appearances for the U-17s this season, but may have also appeared for the reserves or the U-19s.

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

No. Pos. Nation Player
32 FW  ENG Luke Moore
— GK  ENG Andrew Yarnold
— DF  ENG Stuart Bridges
— DF  ENG Gary Cahill
— DF  ENG Ashley Edkins
— DF  ENG Lee Grant
— DF  ENG Nick Green
— DF  ENG Paul Green
— DF  IRL Kevin Mulcahy
— MF  ENG Craig Gardner
No. Pos. Nation Player
— MF  ENG Kyle Nix[notes 6]
— MF  ENG Sam Williams
— MF  IRL Stephen Foley-Sheridan
— FW  ENG Gabriel Agbonlahor
— FW  ENG Shane Paul
— FW  CIV Amadou Koman
— MF   Rowan Caney
— MF   John Grady
—   Daniel Bridges

Other players
The following players did not play for any Aston Villa team 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
— GK  FIN Jon Masalin
— GK  TRI Kelvin Jack (on trial from San Juan Jabloteh)
— DF  ENG Danny Haynes
— DF  FIN Lasse Lagerblom (on trial from Lahti)
— MF  ENG Michael Noakes
— MF  ENG Isaiah Osbourne
— MF  ENG Jay Smith (to Southend United)
— MF  BEL Christian Tshimanga Kabeya[notes 7]
No. Pos. Nation Player
— MF  NOR Espen Sögård (on trial from Lillestrøm SK)
— FW  ENG Matt Lewis (on trial from Kidderminster Harriers)
— FW  ENG Lee McGuire (to Bristol City)
— MF  NIR David Scullion
— GK   Jake Meredith
— MF   John Malpass (to Stourport Swifts)
—   Steve Jones (on trial to Stoke City)

Statistics

Appearances and goals
As of end of season[4]
No. Pos Nat Player TotalPremier LeagueFA CupLeague CupIntertoto Cup
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Goalkeepers
1 GK Peter Enckelman 390330003030
13 GK Stefan Postma 905+10101010
Defenders
2 DF Mark Delaney 170120001040
3 DF Alan Wright 1209+10100010
4 DF Olof Mellberg 441381102030
5 DF Alpay Özalan 5050000000
11 DF Steve Staunton 32122+40003031
15 DF Ulises de la Cruz 24212+81102+1100
21 DF Jlloyd Samuel 45033+50104020
24 DF Liam Ridgewell 10000+100000
27 DF Ronny Johnsen 30025+10004000
30 DF Rob Edwards 907+10100000
Midfielders
6 MF Gareth Barry 444353104140
7 MF Ian Taylor 1929+400+102131
12 MF Thomas Hitzlsperger 33424+22002+1240
17 MF Lee Hendrie 34422+5410301+20
20 MF Mustapha Hadji 1407+4000001+20
22 MF Hassan Kachloul 100000000+10
26 MF Mark Kinsella 24015+40102+2000
28 MF Øyvind Leonhardsen 23313+63003+1000
29 MF Peter Whittingham 401+30000000
31 MF Stephen Cooke 300+30000000
33 MF Joey Guðjónsson 1129+22000000
Forwards
8 FW Juan Pablo Ángel 1938+71110+3100
9 FW Dion Dublin 351423+510104420
10 FW Darius Vassell 391128+580+10331+10
14 FW Marcus Allbäck 2569+115000+2031
16 FW Peter Crouch 1807+70000040
25 FW Stefan Moore 1717+61001+100+20
Players transferred out during the season
6 MF George Boateng 1000000010
10 MF Paul Merson 100000000+10
18 MF Steve Stone 200000001+10
23 FW Michael Boulding 2100000021

Last updated: 30 May 2003
Source: Competitions

Starting 11
No.
 Pos.
 Nat.
 Name
 MS Notes
1 GK Peter Enckelman 39
2 RB Mark Delaney 17
27 CB Ronny Johnsen 29
4 CB Olof Mellberg 44
21 LB Jlloyd Samuel 40
26 RM Mark Kinsella 18 Steve Staunton has 28 starts
17 CM Lee Hendrie 27
6 CM Gareth Barry 44
12 LM Thomas Hitzlsperger 30
9 CF Dion Dublin 30
10 CF Darius Vassell 32

Results

Pre-season
Date Opponents Home/
Away		 Result
F – A		 Scorers Competition
20 July 2002 FC Zurich A 0 – 2 Intertoto Cup
27 July 2002 FC Zurich H 3 – 0 Boulding (33), Allback (52), Staunton (77) Intertoto Cup
August 2002 Lille A 1 – 1 Taylor (83) Intertoto Cup
August 2002 Lille H 0 – 2 Intertoto Cup

FA Premier League
DateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorers
18 August 2002LiverpoolH0–141,183
24 August 2002Tottenham HotspurA0–135,384
28 August 2002Manchester CityH1–033,494Vassell 64'
1 September 2002Bolton WanderersA0–122,113
11 September 2002Charlton AthleticH2–026,483de la Cruz 70', S Moore 83'
16 September 2002Birmingham CityA0–329,505
22 September 2002EvertonH3–230,023Hendrie 7', 48', Dublin 85'
28 September 2002SunderlandA0–140,492
6 October 2002Leeds UnitedH0–033,505
21 October 2002SouthamptonH0–125,817
26 October 2002Manchester UnitedA1–167,619Mellberg 35'
03 November 2002Blackburn RoversA0–023,004
09 November 2002FulhamH3–129,563Ángel 20', Allback 66', Leonhardsen 83'
16 November 2002West Bromwich AlbionA0–027,091
23 November 2002West Ham UnitedH4–133,279Hendrie 29', Leonhardsen 59', Dublin 72', Vassell 80'
30 November 2002ArsenalA1–338,090Hitzlsperger 64'
7 December 2002Newcastle UnitedH0–133,446
14 December 2002West Bromwich AlbionH2–140,391Vassell 16', Hitzlsperger 90'
21 December 2002ChelseaA0–238,284
26 December 2002Manchester CityA1–333,991Dublin 41'
28 December 2002MiddlesbroughH1–033,637Dublin 11'
1 January 2003Bolton WanderersH2–031,838Dublin 8', Vassell 80'
11 January 2003LiverpoolA1–143,210Dublin (pen) 49'
18 January 2003Tottenham HotspurH0–138,576
28 January 2003MiddlesbroughA5–227,546Vassell 24', 81', Guðjónsson 31', Barry 47', Dublin 90'
2 February 2003Blackburn RoversH3–029,171Dublin 2', 40', Barry 81'
8 February 2003FulhamA1–217,092Barry 3'
22 February 2003Charlton AthleticA0–326,257
3 March 2003Birmingham CityH0–242,602
15 March 2003Manchester UnitedH0-142,602
22 March 2003SouthamptonA2–231,888Hendrie 30', Vassell 36'
5 April 2003ArsenalH1–142,602K Touré (own goal) 71'
12 April 2003West Ham UnitedA2–235,029Vassell (pen) 36', Leonhardsen 52'
19 April 2003ChelseaH2–139,358Allback 11', 78'
21 April 2003Newcastle UnitedA1–152,015Dublin 69'
26 April 2003EvertonA1–240,167Allback 49'
3 May 2003SunderlandH1–036,963Allback 80'
11 May 2003Leeds UnitedA1–340,205Guðjónsson 40

Final standings
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification or relegation
14 Fulham 38 13 9 16 41 50 −9 48
15 Leeds United 38 14 5 19 58 57 +1 47
16 Aston Villa 38 12 9 17 42 47 −5 45
17 Bolton Wanderers 38 10 14 14 41 51 −10 44
18 West Ham United (R) 38 10 12 16 42 59 −17 42 Relegation to Football League First Division
Source: Premier League
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored.
(R) Relegated.

FA Cup
Date Round Opponents H / A Result

F – A

 Scorers Attendance
4 January 2003 Round 3 Blackburn Rovers H 1 – 4 Angel 41' 23,884

League Cup
Date Round Opponents H / A Result

F – A

 Scorers Attendance
2 October 2002 Round 2 Luton Town H 3 – 0 De La Cruz 9', Dublin (2) 35', 48' 20,833
6 November 2002 Round 3 Oxford United A 3 – 0 Taylor 74', Barry 77', Dublin 86' 12,177
4 December 2002 Round 4 Preston North End H 5 – 0 Vassell 44', 55', Dublin 80', Ángel 84', Hitzlsperger 87' 23,042
18 December 2002 Round 5 Liverpool H 3 – 4 Vassell 23' (pen), Hitzlsperger 72', Henchoz 88 (o.g.) 38,530

Transfers

In
# Pos Player From Fee Date
33MF Joey Guðjónsson Real BetisLoanJanuary 2003
14FW Marcus Allbäck SC Heerenveen£2,000,000July 2002
27DF Ronny Johnsen Manchester United F.C.FreeJuly 2002
15DF Ulises de la Cruz Hibernian F.C.£1,000,000July 2002
26MF Mark Kinsella Charlton Athletic F.C.£1,000,000July 2002
28MF Øyvind Leonhardsen Tottenham Hotspur F.C.FreeJuly 2002
13GK Stefan Postma De Graafschap£1,500,000July 2002
23FW Michael Boulding Grimsby Town F.C.FreeJuly 2002

Out
# Pos Player To Fee Date
10MF Paul Merson PortsmouthFreeJune 2002
6MF George Boateng Middlesbrough£5,000,000June 2002
1GK Peter Schmeichel Manchester CityFreeJune 2002
19FW Boško Balaban Dinamo ZagrebLoanJune 2002
43DF Liam Ridgewell BournemouthLoanAugust 2002
24MF John McGrath Dagenham & RedbridgeLoanNovember 2002
N/AMF Jay Smith Southend UnitedFreeNovember 2002
18MF Steve Stone PortsmouthFreeDecember 2002
23FW Michael Boulding Grimsby TownFreeJanuary 2003
7MF Ian Taylor Derby CountyReleasedAugust 2003

See also
  • Aston Villa F.C. seasons

References
  1. "Aston Villa". soccerbase. Retrieved 22 December 2009.
  2. http://www.footballsquads.co.uk/eng/2002-2003/faprem/avilla.htm
  3. http://www.astonvillaplayerdatabase.com/2002-03.html
  4. https://www.11v11.com/teams/aston-villa/tab/players/season/2003/

Notes
  1. Samuel was born in San Fernando, Trinidad and Tobago, but also qualified to represent England internationally and would represent them at U-21 level and be called up to the senior team before switching his international allegiance to Trinidad and Tobago and making his international debut for Trinidad and Tobago in September 2009.
  2. Edwards was born in Madeley, England, and represented them at U-16 level, but also qualified to represent Wales internationally through his parents and made his international debut for Wales in March 2003.
  3. Boateng was born in Nkawkaw, Ghana, but also qualified to represent the Netherlands internationally and represented them at U-21 level before making his international debut for the Netherlands in November 2001.
  4. Myhill was born in Modesto, California, United States, but was raised in England from the age of 1, qualifying to represent any of the home nations. He represented England at U-17, U-18, and U-20 level before making his international debut for Wales in March 2008.
  5. Ward was born in Birmingham, England, but also qualifies to represent Northern Ireland internationally through his grandfather and represented them at U-19 and U-21 level before making his international debut for Northern Ireland in August 2011.
  6. Nix was born in Sydney, Australia, but was raised in England and represented England at U-16, U-18, U-20, and C level.
  7. Kabeya was born in Kinshasa, Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of the Congo), but also qualifies to represent Belgium internationally and has represented them at U-16, U-17, U-18 and U-19 level.
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