Villa recover from their first leg defeat to beat Slaven on aggregate and reach the Intertoto semi final.

Goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel, 38, makes his debut in a Villa shirt after joining from Sporting Lisbon on a free transfer earlier this month to become the 753rd player to play for Villa in first team League or Cup football.

Midfielder Hassan Kachloul, 28, makes his debut in a Villa shirt after joining from Southampton on a free transfer earlier this month to become the 754th player to play for Villa in first team League or Cup football.

Midfielder Mustapha Hadji, 29, makes his debut in a Villa shirt after joining from Coventry City in exchange for forward Julian Joachim to become the 755th player to play for Villa in first team League or Cup football.

Paul Merson contributes his 35th goal involvement in a Villa shirt on his 118th appearance (103 Starts) to make it W46 D36 L36, 16 Goals, 19 Assists, 7 Bookings and 1 Red Card at a goal involvement rate of one for every 3.37 games played so far in his Villa career.

George Boateng scores his 5th goal in a Villa shirt on his 97th appearance (90 Starts) to make it W40 D31 L26, 5 Goals and 23 Booking so far in his Villa career.

Lee Hendrie contributes his 32nd goal involvement in a Villa shirt on his 148th appearance (109 Starts) to make it W63 D39 L46, 18 Goals, 14 Assists, 27 Bookings and 3 Red Cards at a goal involvement rate of one for every 4.77 games he has played so far in his Villa career.

Alan Wright secures his 125th win in a Villa shirt on his 287th appearance (283 Starts) to make it W125 D76 L86, 5 Goals, 24 Assists and 18 Bookings so far in his Villa career.

Villa's challenging early start to the season continues as they lose in France in the Intertoto Cup semi final ahead of the second leg at Villa Park.

Villa face Stade Rennais F.C. for the first time in competitive football, Rennais become the 145th team that the Villa first team has played in League or Cup football, Villa’s 29th continental European opponents and their second from France after their meeting with FC Girondins de Bordeaux in their 1997-98 UEFA Cup campaign.

Darius Vassell scores a crucial away goal to keep Villa in the tie ahead of the second leg at Villa Park.

Darius Vassell scores his 8th goal on his 50th substitute appearance in a Villa shirt (9 Starts) to make it W25 D11 L23, 8 Goals, 4 Assists, 6 Bookings and 1 Red Card so far in his Villa career at a goal involvement rate of one for every 4.92 games played so far in his Villa career.

David Ginola contributes his 10th goal involvement in a Villa shirt on his 30th appearance (15 Starts) to make it W9 D11 L10, 4 Goals, 6 Assists and 8 Bookings at a goal involvement rate of one for every 3.00 games played so far in his Villa career.

Lee Hendrie collects his 30th card in a Villa shirt on his 149th appearance (110 Starts) to make it W63 D39 L47, 18 Goals, 14 Assists, 28 Bookings and 3 Red Cards at a rate of a card every 5 games so far in his Villa career.

Villa win the Intertoto tie with Stade Rennais courtesy of Darius Vassell's away goal in the first leg as they triumph 1-0 at Villa Park.

Darius Vassell's away goal in the previous game proves crucial as Villa progress on away goals.

Lee Hendrie makes his 150th appearance in a Villa shirt (111 Starts) to make it W64 D39 L47, 18 Goals, 14 Assists, 28 Bookings and 3 Red Cards at a goal involvement rate of one for every 4.84 games he has played so far in his Villa career.

Dion Dublin makes his 100th appearance in a Villa shirt (91 Starts) to make it W37 D30 L33, 36 Goals, 10 Assists and 8 Bookings at a goal involvement rate of one for every 2.17 games played so far in his Villa career.

Villa secure an away goal in the first leg of the Intertoto Final in Switzerland to leave them one win away from UEFA Cup qualification.

Villa face FC Basel for the first time in competitive football, Basel become the 146th team that the Villa first team has played in League or Cup football, Villa’s 30th continental European opponents and their first from Switzerland.

Paul Merson scores an away goal to hand Villa the advantage ahead of the second leg at Villa Park.

Having started the season over a month earlier and already having played five competitive matches, Villa open the Premier League season with a goalless draw at White Hart Line.

Swedish international centre back and future Villa legend Olof Mellberg, 23, makes his debut in a Villa shirt after joining from Racing Santander earlier this month for a fee of £6,120,000 to become the 756th player to play for Villa in first team League or Cup football.

Darius Vassell makes his 10th start in a Villa shirt on his 62nd appearance to make it W26 D13 L23, 8 Goals, 4 Assists, 7 Bookings and 1 Red Card so far in his Villa career at a goal involvement rate of one for every 5.17 games played so far in his Villa career.

Villa make it consecutive Premier League draws to open the season as they sit 14th in the early table under John Gregory.

An injury time own goal by Alpay Özalan costs Villa a first win since 1995 against Manchester United.

Croatian Forward Boško Balaban, 22, makes his debut in a Villa shirt after joining from Dinamo Zagreb for an eye-watering fee of £7,020,000 in July and becomes the 757th player to play for Villa in first team League or Cup football.

Darius Vassell scores his 10th goal in a Villa shirt on his 64th appearance (12 Starts) to make it W27 D14 L23, 10 Goals, 4 Assists, 7 Bookings and 1 Red Card at a goal involvement rate of one for every 4.57 games played so far in his Villa career.

Villa record their first win of the Premier League season as they beat Liverpool at Anfield to climb to eighth in the table after three unbeaten games under John Gregory.

Paul Merson contributes his 20th assist in a Villa shirt on his 124th appearance (109 Starts) to make it W48 D39 L37, 17 Goals, 20 Assists, 7 Bookings and 1 Red Card at a goal involvement rate of one for every 3.35 games played so far in his Villa career.

Darius Vassell contributes his 15th goal involvement in a Villa shirt on his 65th appearance (11 Starts) to make it W28 D14 L23, 11 Goals, 4 Assists, 7 Bookings and 1 Red Card at a goal involvement rate of one for every 4.33 games played so far in his Villa career.

Olof Mellberg contributes his 1st assist in a Villa shirt on his 3rd appearance to make it W1 D2 L0 and 1 Assist and 1 Bookings so far in his Villa career.

After all their hard and early season work Villa lose in the home leg of the UEFA Cup 1st Round to leave them with it all do in Croatia.

Villa face Varteks Varaždin for the first time in competitive football, Varteks become the 147th team that the Villa first team has played in League or Cup football, Villa’s 31st continental European opponents and their second from Croatia following their meeting with Slaven Belupo Koprivnica earlier in the season.

Despite a brace from Juan Pablo Ángel, Villa concede three away goals to Varteks Varaždin placing their UEFA Cup progress in the balance.

Juan Pablo Ángel scores his 5th goal in a Villa shirt on his 12th start (15 Appearances) to make it W5 D4 L6, 5 Goals, 1 Assist and 2 Bookings at a goal involvement rate of one for every 2.40 starts so far in his Villa career.

Steve Stone contributes his 15th goal involvement on his 95th appearance in a Villa shirt (70 Starts) to make it W36 D29 L30, 6 Goals, 9 Assists and 13 Bookings so far in his Villa career.

Hassan Kachloul makes his 10th appearance in a Villa shirt (9 Starts) to make it W4 D4 L2, and 2 Assists so far in his Villa career.

Villa make it five 5 unbeaten in the League under John Gregory as they record their second win to climb to sixth in the early table.

Mustapha Hadji scores his 1st goal in a Villa shirt on his 9th appearance (3 Starts) to make it W4 D3 L2 and 1 Goals so far in his Villa career.

Dion Dublin contributes his 50th goal involvement in a Villa shirt before being sent off on his 105th appearance (95 Starts) to make it W40 D32 L33, 37 Goals, 13 Assists, 8 Bookings and 1 Red Card at a goal involvement rate of one for every 2.10 games played so far in his Villa career.

Hassan Kachloul makes his 10th start in a Villa shirt (11 Appearances) to make it W5 D4 L2, 2 Assists and 1 Booking so far in his Villa career.

Despite Mustapha Hadji's injury time winner Villa are knocked out of the UEFA Cup on the away goals rule.

Mustapha Hadji makes his 10th appearance in a Villa shirt (4 Starts) to make it W5 D3 L2 and 2 Goals so far in his Villa career.

Villa make it six unbeaten and three wins in the Premier League this season to climb to 4th in the table under John Gregory.

Juan Pablo Ángel scores his second league goal in as many games to send Villa fourth.

Peter Schmeichel makes his 10th appearance in a Villa shirt to make it W6 D3 L1, 7 Goals Conceded at a rate of 0.70 goals per game and 5 Clean Sheets (50%) so far in his Villa career.

Lee Hendrie contributes his 36th goal involvement in a Villa shirt on his 159th appearance (120 Starts) to make it W69 D43 L47, 19 Goals, 17 Assists, 29 Bookings and 3 Red Cards at a goal involvement rate of one for every 4.54 games he has played so far in his Villa career.

Alpay Özalan makes his 50th appearance in a Villa shirt to make it W20 D16 L14 and 13 Bookings so far in his Villa career.

Dion Dublin scores on the stroke of half time to send Villa through to the 4th Round of the League Cup.

George Boateng makes his 100th appearance in a Villa shirt (93 Starts) to make it W43 D31 L26, 5 Goals and 25 Bookings at a rate of a card every 4.00 games so far in his Villa career.

Lee Hendrie secures his 70th win in a Villa shirt on his 160th appearance (121 Starts) to make it W70 D43 L47, 19 Goals, 17 Assists, 29 Bookings and 3 Red Cards at a goal involvement rate of one for every 4.57 games he has played so far in his Villa career.

Mark Delaney secures his 30th win in a Villa shirt on his 74th appearance (58 Starts) to make it W30 D23 L21, 1 Goal, 2 Assists, 9 Bookings and 2 Red Cards so far in his Villa career.

Villa win a 3rd consecutive Premier League game to extend their unbeaten run to 7 top flight matches under John Gregor to remain 4th in the early table.

Alan Wright makes his 300th appearance in a Villa shirt (296 Starts) to make it W132 D80 L88, 5 Goals, 24 Assists and 21 Bookings so far in his Villa career.

Mustapha Hadji contributes his 1st assist in a Villa shirt on his 13th appearance (7 Starts) to make it W8 D3 L2, 2 Goals, 1 Assist and 3 Bookings at a goal involvement rate of one for every 4.33 games played so far in his Villa career.

Darius Vassell secures his 30th win in a Villa shirt on his 69th appearance (17 Starts) to make it W30 D15 L24, 13 Goals, 4 Assists, 8 Bookings and 1 Red Card at a goal involvement rate of one for every 4.06 games played so far in his Villa career.

Juan Pablo Ángel secures his 10th win in a Villa shirt on his 16th start (20 Appearances) to make it W10 D4 L6, 7 Goals, 2 Assists and 2 Bookings at a goal involvement rate of one for every 1.77 starts so far in his Villa career and making a mockery of those who had rendered him a failure after a 7 game goalless spell following his arrival in January 2001.Villa win a 3rd consecutive Premier League game to extend their unbeaten run to 7 top flight matches under John Gregory.

Villa lose for the first time in eight Premier League games this season to fall back to fifth in the table as the game ends in remarkable style with Villa 'keeper Peter Schmeichel scoring to reduce the deficit.

Former Villain Steve Watson opens the scoring for his new side, Villa fall three behind and Peter Schmeichel becomes the first goalkeeper to score for Villa in a professional fixture. 

Meanwhile, Schmeichel concedes three for the second time this season to make it 13 Appearances, W8 D3 L2, 1 Goal, 10 Goals Conceded at a rate of 0.77 goals per game and 7 Clean Sheets (54%) so far in his Villa career.

Alan Wright contributes his 25th assist in a Villa shirt on his 301st appearance (297 Starts) to make it W132 D80 L89, 5 Goals, 25 Assists and 21 Bookings so far in his Villa career.

Jlloyd Samuel contributes his 1st assist in a Villa shirt on his 21st appearance (10 Starts) to make it W9 D6 L6, 1 Assist and 2 Bookings so far in his Villa career.

Steve Staunton makes his 275th start in a Villa shirt (286 Appearances) to make it W123 D76 L87, 19 Goals, 33 Assists, 16 Bookings and 1 Red Card so far in his Villa career.

Mark Delaney makes his 75th appearance in a Villa shirt (59 Starts) to make it W30 D23 L22, 1 Goal, 2 Assists, 9 Bookings and 2 Red Cards so far in his Villa career.

Villa return to winning ways and rise to 3rd in the Premier League courtesy of Hassan Kachloul first goal for the club in the 9'.

Hassan Kachloul scores his 1st goal and secures his 10th win in a Villa shirt on his 16th appearance (15 Starts) to make it W10 D4 L2, 1 Goal, 3 Assists and 1 Booking so far in his Villa career.

Darius Vassell contributes his 5th assist in a Villa shirt on his 71st appearance (19 Starts) to make it W31 D15 L25, 13 Goals, 5 Assists, 8 Bookings and 1 Red Card at a goal involvement rate of one for every 3.94 games played so far in his Villa career.

Villa climb to the top of the table after securing a fifth win in six Premier League games under John Gregory and 1 defeat in 10 but Chairman Doug Ellis behaves pitifully again.

Steve Staunton secures his 125th win in a Villa shirt on his 288th appearance (277 Starts) to make it W125 D76 L87, 19 Goals, 34 Assists, 16 Bookings and 1 Red Card so far in his Villa career.

Peter Schmeichel secures his 10th win in a Villa shirt on his 15th appearance to make it W10 D3 L2, 1 Goal, 12 Goals Conceded at a rate of 0.80 goals per game and 8 Clean Sheets (53%) so far in his Villa career.

Juan Pablo Ángel contributes his 12th goal involvement in a Villa shirt on his 18th start (22 Appearances) to make it W11 D4 L7, 9 Goals and 3 Assists at a goal involvement rate of one for every 1.50 starts so far in his Villa career. 

Mustapha Hadji secures his 10th win in a Villa shirt on his 16th appearance (10 Starts) to make it W10 D3 L3, 3 Goals, 1 Assist and 3 Bookings at a goal involvement rate of one for every 4.00 games played so far in his Villa career.

Lee Hendrie makes his 125th start in a Villa shirt (164 Appearances) to make it W73 D43 L48, 19 Goals, 17 Assists, 29 Bookings and 3 Red Cards at a goal involvement rate of one for every 4.69 games he has played so far in his Villa career.

Villa suffer their first real setback of the season under John Gregory as they lose in the League for only the second time in 11 games and fall back to third in the table. 

Alan Wright makes his 300th start in a Villa shirt (304 Appearances) to make it W134 D80 L90, 5 Goals, 25 Assists and 21 Bookings so far in his Villa career.

Meanwhile, Peter Schmeichel concedes three for the third time this season on his 16th appearance to make it W10 D3 L3, 1 Goal, 15 Goals Conceded at a rate of 0.94 goals per game and 8 Clean Sheets (50%) so far in his Villa career.