With Paul Lambert still in post after a terrible first season that delivered Villa's worst ever defeat and saw them avoid relegation only on the strength of Christian Benteke's goals, they open the campaign with a shock win in an atypical but highly welcome Lambert performance with echoes of their victory at Anfield in December 2012, with Christian Benteke once again the architect. 

Christian Benteke opens the season as he finished the last as he scores his 25th goal and contributes his 33rd goal involvement in a Villa shirt on his 40th appearance (38 Starts) to make it W15 D9 L16, 25 Goals, 8 Assists, 9 Bookings and 1 Red Card so far in his Villa career.

Left back Antonio Luna, 22, makes a goalscoring Villa debut after signing from Sevilla FC for £1,800,000 in July 2013 to become the 857th player to play for Villa in first team League or Cup football.

Midfielder Leandro Bacuna, 21, makes his debut in a Villa shirt after signing from FC Groningen for £1,260,000 in July 2013 to become the 857th player to play for Villa in first team League or Cup football to become the 856th player to play for Villa in first team League or Cup football.

Fabian Delph secures his 25th win in a Villa shirt on his 67th appearance (51 Starts) to make it W25 D18 L24, 2 Goals and 20 Bookings so far in his Villa career.