2002–03 Aston Villa F.C. season

English football club season From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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

ChairmanDoug Ellis
ManagerGraham Taylor
Premier League16th
FA CupThird round
Quick facts Chairman, Manager ...
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)
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Quick facts
Second City Derby
46--34--26
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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.

There were debuts for Ulises de la Cruz (89), Ronny Johnsen (49), Marcus Allbäck (35), Mark Kinsella (21), Øyvind Leonhardsen (19), Stefan Postma (13), Joey Guðjónsson (11), and Rob Edwards (8).

A season low was the 3–0 defeat by local rivals Birmingham City at St Andrews. A first-half goal from Clinton Morrison saw Birmingham in control at half time, before a comedy of errors saw a throw-in by Olof Mellberg roll under the foot of Villa goalkeeper Peter Enckelman and into the net to gift Blues a 2–0 lead. Geoff Horsfield added a third later in the game thanks to bad defending from Alpay Özalan. This game was followed by the visit to Villa Park. The game kicked into life when Villa striker Dion Dublin was sent off in the 51st minute for headbutting Robbie Savage. In the 74th minute, Australian Stan Lazaridis scored his first goal of the season, and three minutes later, a poor header back by Jlloyd Samuel allowed Horsfield to run onto the ball, beat Enckelman and score from close range. The game ended with another sending off, as Villa's Joey Guðjónsson lunged at Upson with a two-footed tackle.

Kit

More information Kit Supplier, Sponsor ...
Kit Supplier Sponsor
DiadoraRover / MG*
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*Rover sponsored the home shirts, MG sponsored the away

Transfers

Transferred in

More information Date, Pos ...
Date Pos Player From Fee
14 May 2002GKNetherlands Stefan PostmaNetherlands De Graafschap£1,500,000
18 May 2002CFSweden Marcus AllbäckNetherlands Heerenveen£2,000,000
8 July 2002CFMichael BouldingGrimsby TownFree transfer
26 July 2002RBEcuador Ulises de la CruzScotland Hibernian£1,000,000
23 August 2002CMRepublic of Ireland Mark KinsellaCharlton Athletic£1,000,000
29 August 2002CBNorway Ronny JohnsenManchester UnitedFree transfer
30 August 2002AMNorway Øyvind LeonhardsenTottenham HotspurFree transfer
£5,500,000
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Loaned in

More information Date, Pos ...
Date Pos Player From Loan End
20 January 2003CMIceland Joey GuðjónssonReal Betis31 May 2003
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Transferred out

More information Date, Pos ...
Date Pos Player To Fee
1 July 2002GKDenmark Peter SchmeichelManchester CityFree transfer
5 August 2002DMNetherlands George BoatengMiddlesbrough£5,000,000
6 August 2002AMPaul MersonPortsmouthFree transfer
20 December 2002RMSteve StonePortsmouthFree transfer
10 January 2003CFMichael BouldingGrimsby TownFree transfer
£5,000,000
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Loaned out

More information Date, Pos ...
Date Pos Player To Loan End
26 July 2002CMNorthern Ireland Gavin MelaughRochdale31 May 2003
9 August 2002GKWales Boaz MyhillBristol City5 November 2002
27 September 2002CFMichael BouldingSheffield United1 November 2002
21 November 2002GKWales Boaz MyhillBradford City1 January 2003
29 November 2002CMRepublic of Ireland John McGrathDagenham & Redbridge31 May 2003
10 January 2003CFMichael BouldingGrimsby Town12 February 2003
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Overall transfer activity

Squad

First Team

More information #, Name ...
# Name Position Nationality Place of birth Date of birth (age) Signed from Date signed Fee Apps Gls
Goalkeepers
1Peter EnckelmanGKFinlandTurku (1977-03-10)10 March 1977 (aged 25)Finland TPS1 February 1999£200,000280
13Stefan PostmaGKNetherlandsUtrecht (1976-10-06)6 October 1976 (aged 25)Netherlands De Graafschap14 May 2002£1,500,000--
37Boaz MyhillGKWalesUnited States Modesto, CA (1982-11-09)9 November 1982 (aged 19)Academy1 July 2001N/a00
39Wayne HendersonGKRepublic of IrelandDublin (1983-09-16)16 September 1983 (aged 18)Academy1 July 2001N/a00
Defenders
2Mark DelaneyRBWalesHaverfordwest (1976-05-13)13 May 1976 (aged 26)Wales Cardiff City9 March 1999£250,000981
3Alan WrightLBEnglandAshton-under-Lyne (1971-09-28)28 September 1971 (aged 30)Blackburn Rovers10 March 1995£1,000,0003185
4Olof MellbergCBSwedenGullspång (1977-09-03)3 September 1977 (aged 24)Spain Racing Santander19 July 2001£5,000,000360
5Alpay ÖzalanCBTurkeyİzmir (1973-05-30)30 May 1973 (aged 28)Turkey Fenerbahçe28 July 2000£5,600,000600
11Steve StauntonLBRepublic of IrelandDundalk (1969-01-19)19 January 1969 (aged 33)Liverpool6 December 2000Free transfer31917
15Ulises de la CruzRBEcuadorPiquiucho (1974-02-08)8 February 1974 (aged 28)Scotland Hibernian26 July 2002£1,000,000--
21Jlloyd SamuelLBTrinidad and TobagoSan Fernando (1981-03-29)29 March 1981 (aged 21)Academy1 January 1999N/a430
24Liam RidgewellCBEnglandBexleyheath (1984-07-21)21 July 1984 (aged 17)Academy1 July 2002N/a--
27Ronny JohnsenCBNorwaySandefjord (1969-06-10)10 June 1969 (aged 33)Manchester United29 August 2002Free transfer--
30Rob EdwardsLBWalesEngland Telford (1982-12-25)25 December 1982 (aged 19)Academy1 July 2002N/a--
Midfielders
6George BoatengCMNetherlandsGhana Nkawkaw (1975-09-05)5 September 1975 (aged 26)Coventry City20 July 1999£4,500,0001345
6*Gareth BarryLMEnglandHastings (1981-02-23)23 February 1981 (aged 21)Academy1 January 1998N/a1494
7Ian TaylorCMEnglandBirmingham (1968-06-04)4 June 1968 (aged 34)Sheffield Wednesday21 December 1994£1,000,00027340
10Paul Merson (c)AMEnglandHarlesden (1968-03-20)20 March 1968 (aged 34)Middlesbrough8 September 1998£6,750,00014419
12Thomas HitzlspergerLMGermanyMunich (1982-04-05)5 April 1982 (aged 20)Germany Bayern Munich5 August 2000Free transfer131
17Lee HendrieRMEnglandSolihull (1977-05-18)18 May 1977 (aged 25)Academy1 July 1995N/a18520
18Steve StoneRMEnglandGateshead (1971-08-20)20 August 1971 (aged 30)Nottingham Forest11 March 1999£5,500,0001207
20Mustapha HadjiLMMoroccoIfrane Atlas-Saghir (1971-11-16)16 November 1971 (aged 30)Coventry City7 July 2001£4,500,000323
22Hassan KachloulAMMoroccoAgadir (1973-02-19)19 February 1973 (aged 29)Southampton1 July 2001N/a312
26Mark KinsellaCMRepublic of IrelandDublin (1972-08-12)12 August 1972 (aged 29)Charlton Athletic23 August 2002£1,000,000--
28Øyvind LeonhardsenAMNorwayKristiansund (1970-08-17)17 August 1970 (aged 31)Tottenham Hotspur30 August 2002Free transfer--
29Peter WhittinghamRMEnglandNuneaton (1983-02-15)15 February 1983 (aged 19)Academy1 July 2002N/a--
31Stephen CookeCMEnglandWalsall (1983-02-15)15 February 1983 (aged 19)Academy1 July 2000N/a10
33Joey GuðjónssonCMIcelandAkranes (1980-05-25)25 May 1980 (aged 22)Spain Real Betis20 January 2003Loan--
38John McGrathCMRepublic of IrelandLimerick (1980-03-27)27 March 1980 (aged 22)Academy1 July 1999N/a30
40Keith FaheyLMRepublic of IrelandDublin (1983-01-15)15 January 1983 (aged 19)Academy1 July 2002N/a--
Forwards
8Juan Pablo ÁngelCFColombiaMedellín (1975-10-24)24 October 1975 (aged 26)Argentina River Plate13 January 2001£9,500,0004517
9Dion DublinCFEnglandLeicester (1969-04-22)22 April 1969 (aged 33)Coventry City5 November 1998£5,750,00012741
10*Darius VassellCFEnglandBirmingham (1980-06-13)13 June 1980 (aged 22)Academy1 January 1998N/a10221
14Marcus AllbäckCFSwedenGothenburg (1973-07-05)5 July 1973 (aged 28)Netherlands Heerenveen18 May 2002£2,000,000--
16Peter CrouchCFEnglandMacclesfield (1981-01-30)30 January 1981 (aged 20)Portsmouth27 March 2002£5,000,00072
19Boško BalabanCFCroatiaRijeka (1978-10-15)15 October 1978 (aged 23)Croatia Dinamo Zagreb24 October 2001£5,800,000110
23Michael BouldingCFEnglandSheffield (1976-02-08)8 February 1976 (aged 26)Grimsby Town8 July 2002Free transfer--
25Stefan MooreCFEnglandBirmingham (1983-09-28)28 September 1983 (aged 18)Academy1 July 2001N/a00
32Luke MooreCFEnglandBirmingham (1986-02-13)13 February 1986 (aged 16)Academy1 January 2003N/a--
42Peter HynesCFRepublic of IrelandDublin (1983-11-28)28 November 1983 (aged 18)Academy1 July 2001N/a00
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*squad number was re-used following a players departure.
Note: Stats and ages are correct as of July 1, 2002.

Players

First-team squad

Squad at end of season[2][3]

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

More information No., Pos. ...
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Left club during season

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

More information No., Pos. ...
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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; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

More information No., Pos. ...
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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; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

More information No., Pos. ...
Close

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; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

More information No., Pos. ...
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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; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

More information No., Pos. ...
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Statistics

Appearances and goals

As of end of season[4]
More information No., Pos ...
No. Pos Nat Player TotalPremier LeagueFA CupLeague CupIntertoto Cup
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Goalkeepers
1 GK Finland FIN Peter Enckelman 390330003030
13 GK Netherlands NED Stefan Postma 905+10101010
Defenders
2 DF Wales WAL Mark Delaney 170120001040
3 DF England ENG Alan Wright 1209+10100010
4 DF Sweden SWE Olof Mellberg 441381102030
5 DF Turkey TUR Alpay Özalan 5050000000
11 DF Republic of Ireland IRL Steve Staunton 32122+40003031
15 DF Ecuador ECU Ulises de la Cruz 24212+81102+1100
21 DF England ENG Jlloyd Samuel 45033+50104020
24 DF England ENG Liam Ridgewell 10000+100000
27 DF Norway NOR Ronny Johnsen 30025+10004000
30 DF Wales WAL Rob Edwards 907+10100000
Midfielders
6 MF England ENG Gareth Barry 444353104140
7 MF England ENG Ian Taylor 1929+400+102131
12 MF Germany GER Thomas Hitzlsperger 33424+22002+1240
17 MF England ENG Lee Hendrie 34422+5410301+20
20 MF Morocco MAR Mustapha Hadji 1407+4000001+20
22 MF Morocco MAR Hassan Kachloul 100000000+10
26 MF Republic of Ireland IRL Mark Kinsella 24015+40102+2000
28 MF Norway NOR Øyvind Leonhardsen 23313+63003+1000
29 MF England ENG Peter Whittingham 401+30000000
31 MF England ENG Stephen Cooke 300+30000000
33 MF Iceland ISL Joey Guðjónsson 1129+22000000
Forwards
8 FW Colombia COL Juan Pablo Ángel 1938+71110+3100
9 FW England ENG Dion Dublin 351423+510104420
10 FW England ENG Darius Vassell 391128+580+10331+10
14 FW Sweden SWE Marcus Allbäck 2569+115000+2031
16 FW England ENG Peter Crouch 1807+70000040
25 FW England ENG Stefan Moore 1717+61001+100+20
Players transferred out during the season
6 MF Netherlands NED George Boateng 1000000010
10 MF England ENG Paul Merson 100000000+10
18 MF England ENG Steve Stone 200000001+10
23 FW England ENG Michael Boulding 2100000021
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Last updated: 30 May 2003
Source: Competitions

Starting 11

More information No., Pos. ...
No.
 Pos.
 Nat.
 Name
 MS Notes
1 GK Finland Peter Enckelman 39
2 RB Wales Mark Delaney 17
27 CB Norway Ronny Johnsen 29
4 CB Sweden Olof Mellberg 44
21 LB England Jlloyd Samuel 40
26 RM Republic of Ireland Mark Kinsella 18 Steve Staunton has 28 starts
17 CM England Lee Hendrie 27
6 CM England Gareth Barry 44
12 LM Germany Thomas Hitzlsperger 30
9 CF England Dion Dublin 30
10 CF England Darius Vassell 32
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Results

Pre-season

More information Date, Opponents ...
Date Opponents Home/
Away		 Result
F – A		 Scorers Competition
20 July 2002 FC Zurich Switzerland A 0 – 2 Intertoto Cup
27 July 2002 FC Zurich Switzerland H 3 – 0 Boulding (33), Allbäck (52), Staunton (77) Intertoto Cup
August 2002 Lille France A 1 – 1 Taylor (83) Intertoto Cup
August 2002 Lille France H 0 – 2 Intertoto Cup
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FA Premier League

More information Date, Opponent ...
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'
3 November 2002Blackburn RoversA0–023,004
9 November 2002FulhamH3–129,563Ángel 20', Allbäck 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 2003ChelseaH2–139,358Allbäck 11', 78'
21 April 2003Newcastle UnitedA1–152,015Dublin 69'
26 April 2003EvertonA1–240,167Allbäck 49'
3 May 2003SunderlandH1–036,963Allbäck 80'
11 May 2003Leeds UnitedA1–340,205Guðjónsson 40
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Final standings

More information Pos, Pld ...
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
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Source: Premier League
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored.
(R) Relegated

FA Cup

More information Date, Round ...
Date Round Opponents H / A Result

F – A

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

More information Date, Round ...
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
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Transfers

In

More information #, Pos ...
# Pos Player From Fee Date
33MFIceland Joey GuðjónssonSpain Real BetisLoanJanuary 2003
14FWSweden Marcus AllbäckNetherlands SC Heerenveen£2,000,000July 2002
27DFNorway Ronny JohnsenEngland Manchester United F.C.FreeJuly 2002
15DFColombia Ulises de la CruzScotland Hibernian F.C.£1,000,000July 2002
26MFRepublic of Ireland Mark KinsellaEngland Charlton Athletic F.C.£1,000,000July 2002
28MFNorway Øyvind LeonhardsenEngland Tottenham Hotspur F.C.FreeJuly 2002
13GKNetherlands Stefan PostmaNetherlands De Graafschap£1,500,000July 2002
23FWEngland Michael BouldingEngland Grimsby Town F.C.FreeJuly 2002
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Out

More information #, Pos ...
# Pos Player To Fee Date
10MFEngland Paul MersonEngland PortsmouthFreeJune 2002
6MFNetherlands George BoatengEngland Middlesbrough£5,000,000June 2002
1GKDenmark Peter SchmeichelEngland Manchester CityFreeJune 2002
19FWCroatia Boško BalabanCroatia Dinamo ZagrebLoanJune 2002
43DFEngland Liam RidgewellEngland BournemouthLoanAugust 2002
24MFRepublic of Ireland John McGrathEngland Dagenham & RedbridgeLoanNovember 2002
N/AMFEngland Jay SmithEngland Southend UnitedFreeNovember 2002
18MFEngland Steve StoneEngland PortsmouthFreeDecember 2002
23FWEngland Michael BouldingEngland Grimsby TownFreeJanuary 2003
7MFEngland Ian TaylorEngland Derby CountyReleasedAugust 2003
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See also

References

Notes

External links

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