The start of a new season always brings a sense of excitement and fresh expectations for any club. Within a few weeks, however, that excitement can turn into joy or suffering. For us, it’s brought both, however, the one thing you can say about the Villans opening few games is that they’ve never been boring.
19 August 1995 – Aston Villa 3 – 1 Manchester United.
Going back before the turn of the millennium reveals this treasure trove of a game. With Sir Alex Ferguson hoping to send a clear message to Premiership rivals Blackburn Rovers this his team was still the one to beat, a hard-fought win at the Villa seemed likely; what he got was the shock of his life. Within the space of 30 minutes, Villa had broken down and scored thrice against the best defence in England. First came a goal for midfielder Ian Taylor; before a double salvo from Mark Draper and Dwight Yorke left the hairdryer being warmed up for a good ten minutes before the halftime whistle. However, nothing seemed to come right for Fergie’s men as Villa had the measure of every play they made. David Beckham would net a consolation goal in the 85 minute, but it wasn’t enough to deny a comprehensive victory for the Villans.
28 August 2004 – Aston Villa 4 – 2 Newcastle United
In a free-flowing and entertaining game, Villa would dismantle Newcastle’s defence in a stunning 4-2 victory. A rare Olof Mellberg goal gave Villa a lead early on before a goal from Patrick Kluivert would level the scores. Andy O’Brien would put The Magpies in front. What followed was a comprehensive performance from the Villa attack. Carlton Cole leveled the scores again through the power of his chest; Gareth Barry struck goal with a headed effort before a deflected finished from Juan Pablo Angel put the game beyond any doubt. Villa could have scored six if it wasn’t for a last-ditch tackle on Darius Vassell by Jermaine Jenas before cole missed an easy chance thanks to a wonderful cross by Ulises de la Cruz. The game represented a highlight in an indifferent season for us, whilst the capitulation by Newcastle would start a colossal slide down the Premier League table, a slide that they have never really recovered from.
17 August 2008 – Aston Villa 4 – 2 Manchester City
This was a classic, a real game of the ages. In one corner you had a Villa side that was starting to gather some real momentum under the stewardship of Martin O’Neill; on the other a Manchester City team that was without their most important player; Sheik Mansoor . Gareth Barry opened the scoring with a powerful header before Elano equalised from the spot, then John Carew turned provider to a cheeky Gabriel Agbonlahor finish. Villa were back in front thanks to a gift to Young from Kelvin Etuhu before the winger gave it to Gareth Barry to slot home. City would once again be given a lifeline from the spot after Young brought down former wonder-kid Michael Johnson in the box; before Elano doubled to his tally. Agbonlahor would have the best 10 minutes of his Villa career, though, scoring two body blows to City’s chances.
24 August 2009 Liverpool 1 – 3 Aston Villa
After a disappointing opening day, defeat at home to Wigan Athletic, and an embarrassing loss to Rapid Vienna pressure was mounting on Martin O’Neill to stop the rot. However, going up against the 2008-09 Premier League runners-up at Anfield wasn’t going to be easy; the response was emphatic. Arguably Villas most complete performance of the calendar year. Weathering the storm of a bright start from Rafa Benitez’s men Liverpool were out-thought and outplayed in their own backyard. The Villans went ahead through an Ashley Young free kick deflected in by Lucas, Fernando Torres equalised for the Reds; before Young’s second of the game gave Villa their first win at Anfield in 8 years. It would kickstart a season that would see Villa challenge for the Champions League, whilst also marking the beginning of the end of the Benitez era.
17 August 2013 – Arsenal 1 – 3 Aston Villa
Invoking the spirit of Anfield four years earlier, Aston Villa would go on to put on a superb performance to castrate Arsenal in their own back yard. A stand out performance from Christian Benteke who scored twice one from the penalty spot and one from a rebound after a second penalty was saved. And then new signing Antonio Luna would guarantee the three points going back to Villa Park. In context, it may be remembered more for the capitulation and lack of discipline Arsenal showed in the second half. In a blood and thunder game The Gunners would pick up six yellow cards including two given to Laurent Koscielny is the space of seven minutes; home fans booed their team off after the full-time whistle, but it was The Gunners who would be laughing come the end of the month. Within two weeks, they would break their transfer record by signing Mesut Ozil, whilst we went onto lose our next three games in a row.
