1997–98 Aston Villa F.C. season

In the 1997–98 English football season, Aston Villa competed in the FA Premier League (known as the FA Carling Premiership for sponsorship reasons).

Aston Villa
1997–98 season
ChairmanDoug Ellis
ManagerBrian Little (until 24 February)
John Gregory (from 25 February)
StadiumVilla Park
Premiership7th
FA CupFifth round
League CupThird round
UEFA CupQuarter-finals
Top goalscorerLeague: Dwight Yorke (12)
All: Dwight Yorke (14)
Average home league attendance36,137

When Brian Little resigned as Aston Villa manager in February, Villa were 15th in the Premiership and were starting to look like outside bets for relegation.[1] Ruud Gullit, recently sacked by Chelsea, was linked with the vacancy, but the surprise choice for the job was Wycombe manager John Gregory, a former Villa coach.[2] He influenced a late run of form which saw Villa climb to seventh place, and for the second season running Villa qualified for the UEFA Cup via the UEFA Respect Fair Play ranking.[3]

Final league table
Main article: 1997–98 FA Premier League
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification or relegation
5 Leeds United 38 17 8 13 57 46 +11 59 Qualification for the UEFA Cup first round[lower-alpha 1]
6 Blackburn Rovers 38 16 10 12 57 52 +5 58
7 Aston Villa 38 17 6 15 49 48 +1 57
8 West Ham United 38 16 8 14 56 57 −1 56
9 Derby County 38 16 7 15 52 49 +3 55
Source: Premier League
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored.
Notes:
  1. Aston Villa was rewarded entry to the UEFA Cup through UEFA Fair Play ranking.

Results

Aston Villa's score comes first[4]

Legend
Win Draw Loss

FA Premier League
DateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorers
9 August 1997Leicester CityA0–120,304
13 August 1997Blackburn RoversH0–437,112
23 August 1997Newcastle UnitedA0–136,783
27 August 1997Tottenham HotspurA2–326,317Yorke 27', Collymore 58'
30 August 1997Leeds UnitedH1–039,027Yorke 67'
13 September 1997BarnsleyA3–018,649Ehiogu 25', Draper 50', Taylor 72'
20 September 1997Derby CountyH2–135,444Yorke 72', Joachim 75'
22 September 1997LiverpoolA0–334,843
27 September 1997Sheffield WednesdayH2–232,044Staunton 32', Taylor 49'
4 October 1997Bolton WanderersA1–024,186Milošević 12'
18 October 1997WimbledonH1–232,087Taylor 45'
26 October 1997ArsenalA0–038,061
1 November 1997ChelseaH0–239,372
8 November 1997Crystal PalaceA1–121,097Joachim 86'
22 November 1997EvertonH2–136,389Milošević 37', Ehiogu 56'
29 November 1997West Ham UnitedA1–224,976Yorke 47'
6 December 1997Coventry CityH3–033,250Collymore 21', Hendrie 71', Joachim 85'
15 December 1997Manchester UnitedA0–155,151
20 December 1997SouthamptonH1–129,343Taylor 64'
26 December 1997Tottenham HotspurH4–138,644Draper 38', 68', Collymore 81', 89'
28 December 1997Leeds UnitedA1–136,287Milošević 85'
10 January 1998Leicester CityH1–136,429Joachim 87'
17 January 1998Blackburn RoversA0–524,834
1 February 1998Newcastle UnitedH0–138,266
7 February 1998Derby CountyA1–030,251Yorke 90'
18 February 1998Manchester UnitedH0–239,372
21 February 1998WimbledonA1–213,131Milošević 41'
28 February 1998LiverpoolH2–139,372Collymore 10', 65'
8 March 1998ChelseaA1–033,018Joachim 51'
11 March 1998BarnsleyH0–129,519
14 March 1998Crystal PalaceH3–133,781Taylor 1', Milošević pen 14', 35'
28 March 1998EvertonA4–136,471Joachim 12', Charles 62', Yorke pen 72', 81'
4 April 1998West Ham UnitedH2–039,372Joachim 76', Milošević 82'
11 April 1998Coventry CityA2–122,792Yorke 5', 48'
18 April 1998SouthamptonA2–115,238Hendrie 6', Yorke 60'
25 April 1998Bolton WanderersH1–338,392Taylor 57'
2 May 1998Sheffield WednesdayA3–134,177Yorke 21', Hendrie 25', Joachim 50'
10 May 1998ArsenalH1–039,372Yorke 37' (pen)

FA Cup
Main article: 1997–98 FA Cup
RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceGoalscorers
R33 January 1998PortsmouthA2–216,013Staunton 41', Grayson 88'
R3R14 January 1998PortsmouthH1–023,355Milošević 21'
R424 January 1998West Bromwich AlbionH4–039,372Grayson 4', Yorke 61', 64', Collymore 72'
R514 February 1998Coventry CityH0–136,979

League Cup
Main article: 1997–98 Football League Cup
RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceGoalscorers
R315 October 1997West Ham UnitedA0–320,360

UEFA Cup
Main article: 1997–98 UEFA Cup
RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceGoalscorers
R1 1st leg16 September 1997BordeauxA0–016,800
R1 2nd leg30 September 1997BordeauxH1–0 (won 1–0 on agg)33,072Milošević 111'
R2 1st leg21 October 1997Athletic BilbaoA0–046,000
R2 2nd leg4 November 1997Athletic BilbaoH2–1 (won 2–1 on agg)35,915Taylor 28', Yorke 50'
R3 1st leg25 November 1997Steaua BucharestA1–224,000Yorke 54'
R3 2nd leg9 December 1997Steaua BucharestH2–0 (won 3–2 on agg)35,102Milošević 71', Taylor 85'
QF 1st leg3 March 1998Atlético MadridA0–145,000
QF 2nd leg17 March 1998Atlético MadridH2–1 (lost on away goals)39,163Taylor 72', Collymore 74'

Players

First-team squad
Squad at end of season[5][6][7]

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 Australia AUS Mark Bosnich
2 DF England ENG Gary Charles
3 DF Republic of Ireland IRL Steve Staunton
4 DF England ENG Gareth Southgate (captain)
5 DF England ENG Ugo Ehiogu
7 MF England ENG Ian Taylor
8 MF England ENG Mark Draper
9 FW Serbia and Montenegro SCG Savo Milošević[lower-alpha 1]
10 FW Trinidad and Tobago TRI Dwight Yorke
11 FW England ENG Stan Collymore
12 FW England ENG Julian Joachim
No. Pos. Nation Player
13 GK England ENG Michael Oakes
14 DF England ENG Alan Wright
15 DF Portugal POR Fernando Nélson
16 DF England ENG Simon Grayson
17 MF England ENG Lee Hendrie
20 DF England ENG Riccardo Scimeca
22 FW England ENG Darius Vassell
24 MF England ENG Gareth Barry
25 FW England ENG Darren Byfield[lower-alpha 2]
27 FW England ENG Richard Walker

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 Republic of Ireland IRL Andy Townsend[lower-alpha 3] (to Middlesbrough)
18 MF Serbia and Montenegro SCG Saša Ćurčić (to Crystal Palace)
24 MF England ENG Scott Murray (to Bristol City)
No. Pos. Nation Player
29 GK England ENG Paul Crichton (on loan from West Bromwich Albion)
31 GK England ENG Stuart Brock (to Kidderminster Harriers)

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
19 DF Wales WAL David Hughes
21 DF England ENG Lee Collins
23 FW England ENG Neil Davis
30 GK England ENG Adam Rachel
— GK United States USA Marcus Hahnemann (on trial)
— GK Australia AUS Saša Ilić[lower-alpha 4] (on trial from St Leonard Stamcroft)
— DF England ENG Guy Hadland
— DF England ENG Tommy Jaszczun
No. Pos. Nation Player
— DF England ENG Aaron Lescott
— DF England ENG Ben Petty
— DF Germany GER Leslie Hines
— DF Australia AUS Danny Tiatto (on trial from Baden)
— MF England ENG Darren Middleton
— MF Republic of Ireland IRL Alan Kirby
— MF Republic of Ireland IRL Daragh Sheridan
— FW Republic of Ireland IRL Alan Lee

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
29 GK England ENG Matthew Ghent
— GK England ENG Nikki Bull
— GK Wales WAL Michael Price
— DF England ENG Michael Blackwood
— DF England ENG Liam Folds
— DF England ENG Reuben Hazell
— DF England ENG Jamie Kearns
— DF England ENG Dominic Reece
— DF England ENG Martin Ridley
— DF Wales WAL Stuary Thornley
— DF Scotland SCO Gary McSeveney
— DF South Africa RSA Bradley Blackburn
— DF Trinidad and Tobago TRI Jlloyd Samuel[lower-alpha 5]
— MF England ENG Mark Appleby
— MF England ENG David Berks
No. Pos. Nation Player
— MF England ENG David Harding
— MF England ENG Alex Meredith
— MF England ENG Luke Prince
— MF England ENG Nathan Pulisciano
— MF England ENG Jay Smith
— MF England ENG Michael Standing
— MF England ENG Philip Tongue
— MF England ENG Gregory Walters
— MF Northern Ireland NIR Gavin Melaugh
— MF Sweden SWE David Curtolo[8]
— FW England ENG Stephen Evans
— FW England ENG Darius Vassell
— FW Scotland SCO Brian Mulholland

Trainees
The following players were signed to Aston Villa as trainees, 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
— GK England ENG Philip Elias
No. Pos. Nation Player
— GK England ENG Matthew George

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
— GK England ENG Boaz Myhill[lower-alpha 6]
— DF England ENG Jon Bewers
— DF England ENG Calum Davenport
— MF England ENG Bertie Brayley
—   Liam Bell
—   Jonathan Britton
—   David Court
—   James Halliday
—   Daniel Impey
—   Ben Jackson
—   Peter McConnell
No. Pos. Nation Player
—   Owain Prosser
—   Ashley Pulisciano
—   Martin Reeves
—   Jonathan Rhule
—   Matthew Roberts
—   Jordan Ryan
—   Stephen Stock
—   Martin Tranter
—   Matthew Tucker
—   Anthony Watson

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
— GK Norway NOR Anders Rotevatn (on trial)
— DF England ENG Jordan Stewart
— MF England ENG Kenny Pavey (on trial from Sittingbourne)
— MF England ENG Jamie Shore (on trial from Norwich City)
No. Pos. Nation Player
— MF Sweden SWE Christian Hansson (on trial from Landskrona BoIS)
— FW Sweden SWE Henrik Nebrelius (on trial from Ystads IF)
— MF England ENG Steve Malone

Statistics

Appearances and goals
No. Pos Nat Player TotalPremier LeagueFA CupLeague CupUEFA Cup
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Goalkeepers
1 GK Australia AUS Mark Bosnich 420300401070
13 GK England ENG Michael Oakes 9080000010
Defenders
2 DF England ENG Gary Charles 25114+410+100+102+30
3 DF Republic of Ireland IRL Steve Staunton 39227141007+10
4 DF England ENG Gareth Southgate 430320301070
5 DF England ENG Ugo Ehiogu 482372401060
14 DF England ENG Alan Wright 50035+20401080
15 DF Portugal POR Fernando Nélson 34021+4010105+20
16 DF England ENG Simon Grayson 44228+50420+104+20
20 DF England ENG Riccardo Scimeca 29016+502+101040
Midfielders
7 MF England ENG Ian Taylor 44930+26301083
8 MF England ENG Mark Draper 433313401070
17 MF England ENG Lee Hendrie 24313+432+20002+10
24 MF England ENG Gareth Barry 201+10000000
Forwards
9 FW Serbia and Montenegro SCG Savo Milošević 321019+47211062
10 FW Trinidad and Tobago TRI Dwight Yorke 40163012221072
11 FW England ENG Stan Collymore 37823+2641106+11
12 FW England ENG Julian Joachim 30816+1081+10001+10
25 FW England ENG Darren Byfield 701+500+100000
27 FW England ENG Richard Walker 100+10000000
Players who left the club during the season
6 MF England ENG Andy Townsend 3030000000
18 MF Serbia and Montenegro SCG Saša Ćurčić 903+40000+100+10

Starting 11
No.
 Pos.
 Nat.
 Name
 MS Notes
1 GK Australia Mark Bosnich 42
15 RB Portugal Fernando Nélson 28
5 CB England Ugo Ehiogu 48
4 CB England Gareth Southgate 43
3 CB Republic of Ireland Steve Staunton 38
14 LB England Alan Wright 48
8 CM England Mark Draper 43
16 CM England Simon Grayson 36
7 CM England Ian Taylor 42
10 SS Trinidad and Tobago Dwight Yorke 40
11 CF England Stan Collymore 34

Transfers

In
Date Pos Name From Fee Notes
27 November 1997 MF David Curtolo Västerås SK £30,000
5 June 1998 MF Alan Thompson Bolton Wanderers £4,500,000
24 June 1998 MF Fabio Ferraresi Cesena Free transfer
24 June 1998 DF David Unsworth West Ham United £3,000,000

Out
Date Pos Name To Fee Notes
29 August 1997 MF Andy Townsend Middlesbrough £500,000
1 September 1997 GK Stuart Brock Kidderminster Harriers Free transfer
9 December 1997 MF Scott Murray Bristol City £150,000
26 March 1998 MF Saša Ćurčić Crystal Palace £1,000,000
1 July 1998 FW Savo Milošević Real Zaragoza £3,500,000
3 July 1998 DF Steve Staunton Liverpool Free transfer
7 July 1998 DF Fernando Nélson Porto £1,100,000
Transfers in: Decrease £7,530,000
Transfers out: Increase £6,250,000
Total spending: Decrease £1,280,000

Notes
  1. Milošević was born in Bijeljina, Yugoslavia (now Bosnia and Herzegovina).
  2. Byfield was born in Sutton Coldfield, England, but also qualifies to represent Jamaica internationally and would make his international debut for Jamaica in 2003.
  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. Ilić was born in Melbourne, Australia, but also qualified to represent FR Yugoslavia internationally and would make his international debut for FR Yugoslavia in December 1998.
  5. Samuel was born in San Fernando, Trinidad and Tobago, but also qualified to represent England internationally and would represent them at U-18, U-20, and 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.
  6. 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, and U-18, and U-20 level before making his international debut for Wales in March 2008.

References
  1. "Little resigns from Villa". BBC Sport. 24 February 1998. Retrieved 22 November 2013.
  2. "Ex-backroom boy gets Villa job". BBC Sport. 25 February 1998. Retrieved 22 November 2013.
  3. Aston Villa 1997/1998. WorldFootball.net. Accessed 2 March 2012.
  4. Soccerbase: 1997–98 Aston Villa results
  5. "FootballSquads - Aston Villa - 1997/98".
  6. "All Aston Villa players: 1998".
  7. "Aston Villa Player Database".
  8. "David om sin tid i världens bästa klubb". svenskafans.com.
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