Everyone at avillafan.com would like to take this opportunity to wish each and every one of you a Happy New Year.
There have been highs and lows during 2019 but we would like to think that the highs outweigh the lows. If you asked any Villa supporter what they wanted as we welcomed the New Year last year they would have asked for a promotion. They got what they wished for.
Here are a few memories from the last 12 months:
Aston Villa 3-3 Sheffield United
Many will point towards the comeback against Sheffield United on the 8th February as the beginning of Aston Villa’s fantastic return to the Premier League. With 8 minutes left to go Villa were 3-0 down with many empty seats appearing around Villa Park. Goals in the 82 minute (Tyrone Mings) and 86th (Tammy Abraham) gave Dean Smiths men a fighting chance. Then out of nowhere in the 94th minute Andre Green popped up at the back post to make it 3-3.
Birmingham 0-1 Aston Villa
A game that will always be remembered for all the wrong reasons. Jack Grealish was assaulted by a Birmingham fan from behind in a day that embarrassed Midlands football.
Villa’s main man was going to have the last laugh though. Twenty-three minutes from time, Grealish got his own back and shut up the blue side of the City scoring the only goal of the game. See for yourself:
Aston Villa 1-0 Milwall
Aston Villa made history with their 10th win in a row when they beat Millwall at Villa Park in April. Jonathan Kodjia scored the only goal of the game in the 30th minute.
It was the first time in the clubs history that they were able to achieve such a feat.
West Brom 1(2) – 0(2) Aston Villa
Aston Villa headed to the Hawthorns to take on local rivals West Bromwich Albion in the Playoff Semi-Final second leg. The atmosphere was as load as I have ever experienced at the Hawthorns and I have been there many times.
West Brom was well up for it, knowing a place in the final was up for grabs. A 29th-minute goal from Craig Dawson levelled the teams on aggerate. The game went to penalties which Villa eventually won 3-4. Many will remember this game for when Jed Steer walked towards the goal during the penalty shoot-out with Mason Holgate. Steer appeared to stare Holgate out who then missed his penalty kick.
Playoff Final: Villa 2-1 Derby
Remember as many as the greatest day in recent times as an Aston Villa supporter. Having lost 12 months earlier at Wembley to Fulham, Villa fans didn’t want the same thing to happen. But standing on the Green that day, there was a different feeling. Villa fans were determined that this would be when they returned to the big time.
Anwar El Ghazi put Villa in the lead just before half time. John McGinn then doubled their tally by scoring what proved to be the winning goal in the 59th minute. Aston Villa was back in the Premier League where they belonged.
Aston Villa 2-0 Everton
It was Villa’s second game at Villa Park since their return to the Premier League. Friday night, under the floodlights, with a packed out Villa Park in front of the Sky Sports camera. The atmosphere was the best it has been for a long time at Villa Park with many fans sitting up and taking note across social media.
It also proved to be Villa’s first victory of the Premier League campaign thanks to goals from Wesley and El Ghazi.
2020
Villa currently finds themselves sitting just inside the relegation zone, one point adrift. Things have not felt great lately but if ever the players needed the fans behind them, it is now.
Let’s go into the New Year and get well and truly behind Dean Smith and the lads and hopefully we will be able to secure our position to play in the Premier League again next year.
