On This Day
Martin O'Neill changes policy and names a broadly representative side for the UEFA Cup.
Villa travel to Bulgaria for the UEFA Cup first round and open up a commanding lead as Reo-Coker scores for the second game in succession.
Villa face PFC Litex Lovech for the first time in competitive football, Lovech become the 153rd team that the Villa first team has played in League or Cup football, Villaโs 36th continental European opponents and their first from Bulgaria.
Centre back Carlos Cuรฉllar makes his Villa debut aged 27 after joining from Glasgow Rangers for a fee of ยฃ9,000,000 in August 2008 to become the 812th player to play for Villa in first team League or Cup football.
Gareth Barry makes his 400th appearance for Villa as they beat nine men opponents to take three away goals into the second leg.
Gabriel Agbonlahor makes his 100th appearance in a Villa shirt (93 Starts) to make it W36 D34 L30, 26 Goals, 11 Assists and 7 Bookings.
Brad Friedel concedes his 10th goal in a Villa shirt on his 8th appearance to make it W6 D2 L0, 10 Goals Conceded at a rate of 1.25 goals per game and 0 Clean Sheets so far in his Villa career.
Martin Laursen secures his 30th win on his 75th appearance in a Villa shirt (73 Starts) to make it W30 D27 L18, 10 Goals, 3 Assists and 3 Bookings so far in his Villa career.
GK Brad Friedel | ๐บ๐ธ |
LB Nicky Shorey | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ |
CB Martin Laursen | ๐ฉ๐ฐ |
CB Carlos Cuรฉllar | ๐ช๐ธ | ๐ข |
RB Luke Young | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ |
M Gareth Barry | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | โฝ | ๐ |
M Nigel Reo-Coker | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | โฝ | ๐ |
M Stiliyan Petrov | ๐ง๐ฌ | ๐จ | โฝ |
M Craig Gardner | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | ๐ |
W James Milner | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ |
F Gabriel Agbonlahor | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ |
Martin O'Neill | ๐ฌ๐ง | 2006-2010
Substitutes
๐ CF Marlon Harewood | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | for M Craig Gardner | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | 68โ |
๐ W Wayne Routledge | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | for M Nigel Reo-Coker | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | 74โ |
๐ M Moustapha Salifou | ๐น๐ฌ | for M Gareth Barry | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | 78โ |
Unused Substitutes
GK Brad Guzan | ๐บ๐ธ |
CB Zat Knight | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ |
M Isaiah Osbourne | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ |
F Nathan Delfouneso | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ |
Yellow Cards (Warnings, Cautions, Bookings)
๐จ Stiliyan Petrov (8)
Red Cards (Ordered from Field of Play, Dismissals, Sendings Off)
None
Trophy Record
European Cup / Champions League: ๐
League Champions: ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐
FA Cup Winners: ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐
League Cup Winners: ๐๐๐๐๐
Last Trophy: 1995-96
Matchday Squad
Goalkeepers
GK Brad Friedel | ๐บ๐ธ |
GK Brad Guzan | ๐บ๐ธ |
Defenders
CB Martin Laursen | ๐ฉ๐ฐ |
CB Carlos Cuรฉllar | ๐ช๐ธ |
CB Zat Knight | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ |
Full Backs
LB Nicky Shorey | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ |
RB Luke Young | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ |
Midfielders
M Gareth Barry | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ |
M Nigel Reo-Coker | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ |
M Stiliyan Petrov | ๐ง๐ฌ |
M Craig Gardner | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ |
M Isaiah Osbourne | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ |
M Moustapha Salifou | ๐น๐ฌ |
Wingers
W Wayne Routledge | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ |
W James Milner | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ |
Forwards
F Gabriel Agbonlahor | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ |
F Nathan Delfouneso | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ |
CF Marlon Harewood | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ |
Unavailable
Not recorded
Team News
Craig Gardner, James Milner (first start) and Carlos Cuรฉllar replace Curtis Davies, John Carew and Ashley Young.
Team Stats
Starting XI Average Age
| 27.32 |
Oldest Player |
GK Brad Friedel | ๐บ๐ธ | 37.36 |
Youngest Player |
M Craig Gardner | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | 21.83 |
Debut Appearances
๐ข CB Carlos Cuรฉllar | ๐ช๐ธ | #812 | ยฃ9,000,000 signing from Rangers
Final Appearances
None
Starting XI
Substitutes
None
๐
๐
โฝ
๐ฅ
Sub 4
๐ฉ
๐จ
๐ฅ
None
๐
๐
โฝ
๐ฅ
Sub 5
๐ฉ
๐จ
๐ฅ
Scorer(s) | Nigel Reo-Coker | 45โ | Gareth Barry | 72โ (pen) | Stiliyan Petrov | 90โ |
Assist(s) | None
Match Timeline
๐ข | 1โ Debut, Carlos Cuรฉllar
๐ฅ
| 10โ Goal, 0-1, (PFC Litex Lovech), Ivelin Popov
โฝ | 45โ Goal, 1-1, Nigel Reo-Coker
๐ | HT PFC Litex Lovech 1-1 Aston Villa
๐ฅ | 60โ Sending off, (PFC Litex Lovech), Cรฉdric Cambon
๐ | 68โ Sub off, Craig Gardner, Sub on, Marlon Harewood
๐ฅ | 71โ Sending off, (PFC Litex Lovech), Mihail Venkov
โฝ | 72โ Goal, 2-1, Gareth Barry (pen)
๐ | 74โ Sub off, Nigel Reo-Coker, Sub on, Wayne Routledge
๐ | 78โ Sub off, Gareth Barry, Sub on, Moustapha Salifou
๐จ | 80โ Booking, Stiliyan Petrov
โฝ | 90โ Goal, 3-1, Stiliyan Petrov
๐ | FT PFC Litex Lovech 1-3 Aston Villa
Season | 2008-09 |
Matchday | #9 |
Manager Game | #92 |
Thursday, 18 September 2008
Match Record
Game Record
Manager: Martin OโNeill | ๐ฌ๐ง | County Londonderry, 2006-2010
Referee: Christoforos Zografos | ๐ฌ๐ท | Athens, 2008
Kick off: 3.20pm
HT Score: ๐จ 1-1
FT Score: ๐ฉ 3-1
FT Result: ๐ฉ Won
Last 5: ๐ฅ ๐จ ๐จ ๐ฉ ๐ฉ
Officials
Referee: Christoforos Zografos | ๐ฌ๐ท | Athens, 2008
Assistants: Grigorios Panou | ๐ฌ๐ท | Afthanassios Nikolakopoulos | ๐ฌ๐ท |
Previous 5 vs. Litex: None
Head to Head
Total ๐ 1 | ๐ฉ W1 (100% ) | ๐จ D0 | ๐บ(100% ) | ๐ฅ L0 (0% ) | โฝ 3 | ๐ฅ 1 | GD 2
Match Stats
Not recorded
Martin O'Neill | ๐ฌ๐ง | 2006-2010
๐ 92 | ๐ฉ | 35 ๐จ | 32 ๐ฅ 25 | 1.49
Villa Career Form:
Top 8
What they Said
"It took ages and ages to get into it and Nigel [Reo-Coker]'s goal just before half-time changed the complexion of the game.
"Just a minute before half-time they missed a chance and within a minute we had scored at the other end. I said before the start that win, lose or draw, getting the away goal was the most important thing. I was pleased we scored the third goal because we have a lot to learn from European football."
Martin OโNeill.
โIt was a very sluggish start. We did the one thing we didnโt want to and gave away an early goal.
โIt took a long time for us to get into our stride.
โBut the equalising goal gave us such an advantage. That basically changed the whole impetus of the game.โ
Martin O'Neill.
"He's had a great start. At the back end of last season he got a bit of confidence. He moved into what you would perceive as the kind of holding midfield player [role]. Although that was not Stilian's position when he played at Celtic, he has adjusted very well.
"He is capable of doing it because he has got a bit of discipline about his game but, more importantly, he has got confidence. That confidence has come from a couple of good performances at the back end of last year. I haven't really talked to him about this, but maybe even the great goal he scored against Derby [last April from 50 yards] gave him a boost because that is something he had stopped doing. While his input at this minute in terms of goals has not been great, his overall contribution to the side has been terrific this season."
Martin OโNeill on Stiliyan Petrov.
*Aston Villa came from behind to beat nine-man Litex Lovech in the Uefa Cup.*
Litex shocked the visitors when Ivelin Popov curled in a free-kick but keeper Uros Golubovic gifted Villa a leveller.
Golubovic missed an attempted clearance and Nigel Reo-Coker slotted in before Cedric Cambon was sent-off for the home side for two bookable offences.
Mihail Venkov was then red-carded for handball and Gareth Barry, on his 400th Villa outing, scored from the spot before Stiliyan Petrovโs late goal.
The win flattered a Villa side who found the going tough in Bulgaria.
They had made a lethargic start that gave their hosts extra encouragement and Litex took advantage by going ahead after 10 minutes.
Reo-Coker conceded a dubious free-kick just outside the Villa area and Popov curled a shot past Friedel, who appeared to have been put off by Stanislav Manolev jumping to head the ball.
The goal gave Litex even more belief and, unlike their opponents, they displayed purpose and energy going forward.
The visitors opted for a five-man midfield with winger Ashley Young and towering forward John Carew out injured, but lone striker Gabriel Agbonlahor was an isolated presence up front.
Barry did head in a James Milner cross for the visitors only for his effort to be ruled out for offside before Villa survived a massive scare.
Wilfried Niflore was put through on goal and he rounded Friedel but - with the angle against him - he shot into the side-netting.
It proved a vital miss as Litex keeper Golubovic immediately gifted Villa a leveller by kicking thin air rather than the ball on the edge of his area and leaving Reo-Coker to slot in.
The equaliser was more than Villa deserved and Litex did not help their cause in the second half when Cambon hauled down Agbonlahor for a second yellow card.
Venkov soon followed as he blatantly swatted the ball off the line after unconvincing keeper Golubovic failed to punch away a cross.
Barry confidently slotted in the resultant penalty and Villa then had little trouble to secure the win.
Petrov gave the scoreline a more emphatic look when he scored at the second attempt after his initial shot had been saved.
*Aston Villa boss Martin OโNeill:*
โIt was a very sluggish start. We did the one thing we didnโt want to and gave away an early goal.
โIt took a long time for us to get into our stride.
โBut the equalising goal gave us such an advantage. That basically changed the whole impetus of the game.โ
GK Uros Goluboviฤ | ๐ท๐ธ |
LB Dudรบ Paraรญba | ๐ง๐ท | ๐ |
LB Mihail Venkov | ๐ง๐ฌ | ๐ฅ |
CB Cรฉdric Cambon | ๐ซ๐ท | ๐จ | ๐ฅ |
CB Plamen Nikolov | ๐ง๐ฌ |
RB Stanislav Manolev | ๐ง๐ฌ |
M Dzemal Berberoviฤ | ๐ง๐ฆ |
M Tom | ๐ง๐ท | ๐ |
M Sandrinho | ๐ง๐ท |
M Ivelin Popov | ๐ง๐ฌ | โฝ |
CF Wilfried Nilflore | ๐ซ๐ท | ๐ |
Stanimir Stoilov | ๐ง๐ฌ |
Substitutes
๐ | LB Dudรบ Paraรญba | ๐ง๐ท | (CB Alexandre Barthe | ๐ซ๐ท |)
๐ | M Tom | ๐ง๐ท | (CF Emil Angelov | ๐ง๐ฌ |)
๐ | CF Wilfried Nilflore | ๐ซ๐ท | (M Jรฉrรฉmy Acรฉdo | ๐ซ๐ท |)
Unused Substitutes
GK Todor Todorov | ๐ง๐ฌ |
M Momchil Tzvetanov | ๐ง๐ฌ |
CF Kroum Bibishkov | ๐ง๐ฌ |
CF Roberto Eduardo | ๐ง๐ท |
Yellow Cards (Warnings, Cautions, Bookings)
๐จ Cรฉdric Cambon
๐จ Cรฉdric Cambon
Red Cards (Ordered from Field of Play, Dismissals, Sendings Off)
None
Opposition Trophy Record
European Cup / Champions League: โ
Bulgarian Champions: ๐๐
Bulgarian Cup Winners: ๐๐๐
Last Trophy: 2007-08
Opposition Matchday Squad
Goalkeepers
GK Uros Goluboviฤ | ๐ท๐ธ |
GK Todor Todorov | ๐ง๐ฌ |
Defenders
CB Cรฉdric Cambon | ๐ซ๐ท |
CB Plamen Nikolov | ๐ง๐ฌ |
CB Alexandre Barthe | ๐ซ๐ท |
Full Backs
LB Dudรบ Paraรญba | ๐ง๐ท |
LB Mihail Venkov | ๐ง๐ฌ |
RB Stanislav Manolev | ๐ง๐ฌ |
Midfielders
M Dzemal Berberoviฤ | ๐ง๐ฆ |
M Tom | ๐ง๐ท |
M Sandrinho | ๐ง๐ท |
M Ivelin Popov | ๐ง๐ฌ |
M Jรฉrรฉmy Acรฉdo | ๐ซ๐ท |
M Momchil Tzvetanov | ๐ง๐ฌ |
Forwards
CF Wilfried Nilflore | ๐ซ๐ท |
CF Emil Angelov | ๐ง๐ฌ |
CF Kroum Bibishkov | ๐ง๐ฌ |
CF Roberto Eduardo | ๐ง๐ท |
Opposition Unavailable
Not Recorded
League Table
2008-09
Playing Squad
GK Brad Friedel | ๐บ๐ธ | #808 |
Goalkeeper
Where are they now?
Tottenham Hotspur ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ Retired
GK Brad Guzan | ๐บ๐ธ | #813 |
Goalkeeper
Where are they now?
Atlanta United ๐บ๐ธ
GK Elliot Parish | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | Unused Sub |
Goalkeeper
Where are they now?
St. Johnstone ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ณ๓ ฃ๓ ด๓ ฟ Retired
GK Stuart Taylor | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | #788 |
Goalkeeper
Where are they now?
Southampton ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ Retired
CB Carlos Cuรฉllar | ๐ช๐ธ | #812 |
Centre Back
Where are they now?
Bnei Yehuda Tel Aviv FC ๐ฎ๐ฑ Retired
CB Ciaran Clark | ๐ฎ๐ช | #820 |
Centre Back
Where are they now?
Stoke City ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ Retired
CB Curtis Davies | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | #804 |
Centre Back
Where are they now?
Cheltenham Town ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ Retired
CB Martin Laursen | ๐ฉ๐ฐ | #776 |
Centre Back
Where are they now?
Aston Villa ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ Retired
CB Nathan Baker | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | #833 |
Centre Back
Where are they now?
Bristol City ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ Retired
CB Shane Lowry | ๐ฆ๐บ | #819 |
Centre Back
Where are they now?
Johor Darul Taโzim ๐ฒ๐พ
CB Zat Knight | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | #803 |
Centre Back
Where are they now?
Reading ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ Retired
RB Eric Lichaj | ๐บ๐ธ | #827 |
Full Back
Where are they now?
Fatih Karagรผmrรผk ๐น๐ท Retired
RB Luke Young | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | #811 |
Full Back
Where are they now?
QPR ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ Retired
LB Nicky Shorey | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | #809 |
Full Back
Where are they now?
Colchester United ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ Retired
RB Wilfred Bouma | ๐ณ๐ฑ | #784 |
Full Back
Where are they now?
PSV Eindhoven ๐ณ๐ฑ Retired
M Barry Bannan | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ณ๓ ฃ๓ ด๓ ฟ | #814 |
Midfielder
Where are they now?
Sheffield Wednesday ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ
M Chris Herd | ๐ฆ๐บ | #829 |
Midfielder
Where are they now?
Terengganu FC ๐ฒ๐พ Retired
M Craig Gardner | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | #789 |
Midfielder
Where are they now?
Birmingham City ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ Retired
M Gareth Barry | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | #724 |
Midfielder
Where are they now?
West Bromwich Albion ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ Retired
M Isaiah Osbourne | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | #794 |
Midfielder
Where are they now?
Barwell FC ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ
M Moustapha Salifou | ๐น๐ฌ | #805 |
Midfielder
Where are they now?
Tรผrkspor Augsburg ๐ฉ๐ช Retired
M Nigel Reo-Coker | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | #800 |
Midfielder
Where are they now?
MK Dons ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ Retired
M Shaun Maloney | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ณ๓ ฃ๓ ด๓ ฟ | #799 |
Midfielder
Where are they now?
Hull City ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ Retired
M Steve Sidwell | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | #807 |
Midfielder
Where are they now?
Brighton & Hove Albion ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟRetired
M Stiliyan Petrov | ๐ง๐ฌ | #791 |
Midfielder
Where are they now?
Aston Villa ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ Retired
W Ashley Young | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | #797 |
Winger
Where are they now?
Ipswich Town ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ
W James Milner | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | #785 |
Winger
Where are they now?
Brighton & Hove Albion ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ
W Marc Albrighton | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | #816 |
Winger
Where are they now?
Leicester City ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ Retired
W Wayne Routledge | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | #806 |
Winger
Where are they now?
Swansea City ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ท๓ ฌ๓ ณ๓ ฟ Retired
CF Emile Heskey | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | #815 |
Forward
Where are they now?
Bolton Wanderers ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ Retired
CF Gabriel Agbonlahor | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | #790 |
Forward
Where are they now?
Aston Villa ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ Retired
CF John Carew | ๐ณ๐ด | #798 |
Forward
Where are they now?
West Ham United ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ Retired
CF Marlon Harewood | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | #802 |
Forward
Where are they now?
Nuneaton Town ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ Retired
CF Nathan Delfouneso | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | #810 |
Forward
Where are they now?
Hednesford Town ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ Retired
Match Media
Matchday Programme
