Villa are held for the second successive Premier League game but extend their unbeaten top flight run to ten under John Gregory.

Full back Steve Watson, 24, makes his debut in a Villa shirt after joining from Newcastle United for a fee of £5,400,000 earlier this month to become the 729th player to play for Villa in first team League or Cup football.

Gary Charles makes his 100th appearance in a Villa shirt (90 Starts) to make it W54 D24 L22, 4 Goals, 11 Assists and 4 Bookings so far in his Villa career.

Villa suffer their first defeat of the season and their first in 16 games as John Gregory names a much changed side and squad for the third round of the League Cup at Chelsea.

Forward Darren Byfield, 22, makes his 10th and final appearance in a Villa shirt (3 Starts) before moving on to Walsall FC in June 2000, leaving with a record of W5 D1 L4, 0 Goals and 0 Assists across his 12 months in and around the first team.

Midfielder Tommy Jaszczun, 21, makes his sole appearance in a Villa shirt to become the 730th player to play for Villa in first team League or Cup football before moving on to Blackpool for a fee of £63,000 in January 2000.

Villa shrug off their double Cup disappointment to beat Tottenham and extend their unbeaten Premier League run to 11 Premier League games under John Gregory, winning 7, to keep them clear at the top of the League.

Centre forward Dion Dublin, 29, scores a brace on his debut in a Villa shirt after joining from Coventry City earlier this month for a fee of £7,740,000 to become the 731st player to play for Villa in first team League or Cup football.

Stan Collymore scores his first league goal in 8 games on his 46th appearance to make it W21 D8 L17, 13 Goals, 5 Assists, 6 Bookings and 1 Red Card at a goal per game rate of one goal for every 4.43 League games played so far in his Villa career. 

Ugo Ehiogu makes his 225th start in a Villa shirt (239 Appearances) to make it W108 D55 L76, 13 Goals, 5 Assists, 30 Bookings and 2 Red Cards so far in his Villa career.

Lee Hendrie contributes his 6th assist in a Villa shirt on his 48th appearance (34 Starts) to make it W26 D9 L13, 4 Goals, 6 Assists, 6 Bookings and 1 Red Card at a goal involvement rate of one for every 5.33 games he has played so far in his Villa career.

Villa make it 12 games unbeaten in the League under John Gregory, winning 8, to remain top of the Premier League.

Dion Dublin scores a hat-trick to grab his 5th goal in a Villa shirt on his 2nd appearance to make it W2 D0 L0 and 5 Goals so far in his Villa career.

Steve Watson contributes his 1st assist in a Villa shirt on his 4th appearance (3 Starts) to make it W2 D1 L1 and Assist so far in his Villa career.

Lee Hendrie contributes his 11th goal involvement in a Villa shirt on his 49th appearance (35 Starts) to make it W27 D9 L13, 4 Goals, 7 Assists, 6 Bookings and 1 Red Card at a goal involvement rate of one for every 4.90 games he has played so far in his Villa career. 

Villa lose their first Premier League game of the season and their first in 13 games under John Gregory.

Villa remain top of the Premier League table. 

Stan Collymore is sent off on his 48th appearance in a Villa shirt (44 Starts) and for the second time in his Villa career to make it W22 D8 L18, 13 Goals, 7 Assists, 9 Bookings and 2 Red Card at a goal per game rate of one goal for every 4.71 League games played.

Dion Dublin scores his 7th goal in a Villa shirt on his 3rd appearance to make it W2 D0 L1, 7 Goals and 1 Booking at a goal involvement rate of one for every 0.43 games played so far in his Villa career.

Michael Oakes concedes his 50th goal in a Villa shirt on his 41st appearance (39 Starts) to make it W16 D9 L16, 50 Goals Conceded at a rate of 1.22 goals per game and 14 Clean Sheets (34%) so far in his Villa career.

Lee Hendrie makes his 50th appearance in a Villa shirt (36 Starts) to make it W27 D9 L14, 4 Goals, 7 Assists, 6 Bookings and 1 Red Card so far in his Villa career.

Liverpool field the deeply unpopular former Villa left back Steve Staunton as well as the club’s future goalkeeper David James. 

Villa recover from their first defeat in 13 Premier League games under John Gregory but are held at the City Ground as they are forced to sit joint top of the table.

Julian Joachim scores a brace on his 75th appearance in a Villa shirt (40 Starts) to make it W31 D14 L30, 17 Goals, 4 Assists and 1 Booking at a goal involvement rate of one for every 3.57 games played so far in his Villa career.

Future Villa winger Steve Stone lines up for Forest.

Villa record successive draws as they are held at home by Manchester United to remain joint top of the Premier League table.

Dion Dublin contributes his 1st assist in a Villa shirt on his 5th appearance to make it W2 D2 L1, 7 Goals, 1 Assist and 1 Booking at a goal involvement rate of one for every 0.63 games played so far in his Villa career.

Former Villa forward Dwight Yorke faces Villa for the first time since forcing his move away from the club earlier in the season.

Villa are undone at the last as a 90'+4 winner for Chelsea inflicts a 2nd defeat in 16 Premier League games on the league leaders.

Villa are now without a win in their last four matches under John Gregory but remain top of the Premier League table. 

Julian Joachim contributes his 5th assist in a Villa shirt on his 77th appearance (42 Starts) to make it W31 D15 L31, 18 Goals, 5 Assists and 1 Booking at a goal involvement rate of one for every 3.35 games played so far in his Villa career.

Alan Wright suffers his 50th defeat on his 175th appearance in a Villa shirt to make it W82 D43 L50, 3 Goals, 10 Assists and 8 Bookings so far in his Villa career.

Lee Hendrie scores his 5th goal in a Villa shirt on his 53rd appearance (39 Starts) to make it W27 D11 L15, 5 Goals, 7 Assists, 8 Bookings and 1 Red Card so far in his Villa career at a goal involvement rate of one for every 4.82 games he has played so far in his Villa career.

Future Villa boss Roberto Di Matteo lines up for Chelsea.

After their unfortunate late defeat to Chelsea, Villa win their first League game in 5 as they storm back from 2-0 behind to beat Arsenal and take the outright lead at the top of the Premier League table once again.

Dion Dublin contributes his 10th goal involvement in a Villa shirt on his 7th appearance to make it W3 D2 L2, 9 Goals, 1 Assist and 2 Bookings at a goal involvement rate of one for every 0.70 games played so far in his Villa career.

Alan Thompson contributes his 1st assists in a Villa shirt on his 19th appearance (16 Starts) to make it W9 D6 L4, 1 Goal, 2 Assists and 8 Bookings at a rate of a card every 2.38 games so far in his Villa career.

Villa record their second successive victory to leave them clear at the top of the Premier League but John Gregory’s side need an own goal to beat Charlton at the Valley ahead of a critical Christmas period for their title chase.

Michael Oakes keeps his 15th clean sheet and his first in 11 games on his 46th appearance in a Villa shirt (44 Starts) W18 D11 L17, 57 Goals Conceded at a rate of 1.24 goals per game and 15 Clean Sheets (33%) so far in his Villa career.

Alan Wright makes his 175th start in a Villa shirt (177 Appearances) to make it W84 D43 L50, 3 Goals, 10 Assists and 9 Bookings so far in his Villa career.

Ian Taylor secures his 75th win in a Villa shirt on his 160th appearance (148 Starts) to make it W75 D38 L47, 21 Goals, 9 Assists and 30 Bookings so far in his Villa career.

Alan Thompson secures his 10th win in a Villa shirt on his 20th appearance (17 Starts) to make it W10 D6 L4, 1 Goal, 2 Assists and 9 Bookings at a rate of a card every 2.22 games so far in his Villa career.

Steve Watson makes his 10th appearance in a Villa shirt (9 Starts) to make it W4 D3 L3, 2 Assists and 1 Booking so far in his Villa career.

Former Villa defender Carl Tiler and future Villa midfielder Mark Kinsella line up for Charlton.

Villa lose for the 3rd time in 19 League games under John Gregory in a controversial loss at Blackburn as they suffer outrageous misfortune from a poor refereeing performance that hands the hosts an undeserved win as a Christmas gift. 

Dermot Gallagher’s latest failing forces Villa to lose their advantage after three months at the top of the Premier League table as they fall to 2nd place for the first time in 14 games.

Michael Oakes is sent off on his 47th appearance in a Villa shirt (45 Starts) to make it W18 D11 L18, 58 Goals Conceded at a rate of 1.23 goals per game and 15 Clean Sheets (32%) so far in his Villa career. 

Adam Rachel, 22, makes his sole appearance in a Villa shirt following the sending off of Michael Oakes to become the 732nd player to play for Villa in first team League or Cup football. Rachel would move on to Blackpool in September 1999 without adding to his appearances.

Riccardo Scimeca scores his first goal in a Villa shirt on his 83rd appearance (54 Starts) to make it W42 D16 L25, 1 Goal and 4 Bookings so far in his Villa career. 

Steve Watson makes his 10th start in a Villa shirt (11 Appearances) to make it W4 D3 L34, 2 Assists and 1 Booking so far in his Villa career.

Future Villa boss Tim Sherwood scores the winner for Blackburn against 10 man Villa on 88’ whilst future Villa centre forward Chris Sutton lines up for the Rovers.

Villa bounce back from the Ewood Park scandal to secure their 3rd win in 4 Premier League games under John Gregory to round out the year once again top of the Premier League. 

Ugo Ehiogu contributes his 20th goal involvement in a Villa shirt on his 248th appearance (234 Starts) to make it W112 D57 L79, 14 Goals, 6 Assists, 31 Bookings and 2 Red Cards so far in his Villa career.

Ian Taylor makes his 150th start in a Villa shirt (162 Appearances) to make it W76 D38 L48, 21 Goals, 9 Assists and 30 Bookings so far in his Villa career.

Lee Hendrie secures his 30th win in a Villa shirt on his 57th appearance (43 Starts) to make it W30 D11 L16, 5 Goal, 8 Assists, 8 Bookings and 1 Red Card so far in his Villa career.

Soon to be Villa forward Benito Carbone scores an equaliser for Wednesday.

Villa sweep aside bottom of the Football League Hull in the third round of the FA Cup.

Left back Aaron Lescott, 20, makes his sole appearance in a Villa shirt to become the 733rd player to play for Villa in first team League or Cup football before moving on to Sheffield Wednesday for £135,000 in October 2000.

Right back Gary Charles, 28, makes his 104th and final appearance in a Villa shirt (102 Starts) before moving on to S.L. Benfica for a fee of £1,500,000 later this month. Charles missed the entire 1996-97 season after suffering a horrific injury in April 1996 and fought his way back to first team contention. Charles however wouldn’t be able to hold down a place or reach his pre injury form and was mainly used as a substitute under John Gregory - although he hit 3 goals in 9 games following his return. In total, Charles would leave with a record of W55 D24 L25, 4 Goals, 11 Assists and 4 Bookings across his interrupted Villa career.

Julian Joachim contributes his 25th goal involvement in a Villa shirt on his 87th appearance (47 Starts) to make it W35 D15 L32, 20 Goals, 5 Assists and 1 Booking at a goal involvement rate of one for every 3.28 games played so far in his Villa career.

Villa are held to a goalless draw at the Riverside as the 2 dropped points mean, though still top of the table, Villa are forced to share top spot once again.

Ugo Ehiogu makes his 250th appearance in a Villa shirt (236 Starts) to make it W113 D58 L77, 14 Goals, 6 Assists, 31 Bookings and 2 Red Cards so far in his Villa career.

Michael Oakes makes his 50th appearance in a Villa shirt to make it W20 D12 L18, 59 Goals Conceded at a rate of 1.18 goals per game and 17 Clean Sheets (34%) so far in his Villa career.

Villa sweep aside Everton at Villa Park to win for the 12th time in 22 Premier League games under John Gregory as they hold on to joint first place.

Villa field an All English squad of 16 players for the final time.

Paul Merson returns from injury to make his first substitute appearance in a Villa shirt and contributes his 5th goal involvement with a spectacular strike to win the game at the death and make it W6 D4 L1, 4 Goals and 1 Assist so far in his Villa career.

Ian Taylor contributes his 10th assist in a Villa shirt on his 164th appearance (152 Starts) to make it W77 D39 L48, 21 Goals, 30 Assists and 30 Bookings at a goal involvement rate of one for every 5.29 games played so far in his Villa career.

Villa lose in fourth round of the FA Cup to second tier Fulham.

Julian Joachim makes his 50th start in a Villa shirt (85 Appearances) to make it W36 D16 L33, 22 Goals, 5 Assists and 1 Booking at a goal involvement rate of one for every 3.15 games played so far in his Villa career.

Lee Hendrie collects his 9th booking in a Villa shirt on his 61st appearance (47 Starts) to make it W32 D12 L17, 5 Goals, 9 Assists, 9 Bookings and 1 Red Card at a rate of a card every 6 games so far in his Villa career.

Villa lose to Newcastle and surrender top spot in the Premier League for the first time since the opening day of the season after a fourth defeat in twenty three top flight games under John Gregory.

Forward Alan Lee, 20, makes his sole squad appearance for Villa as an unused substitute after coming through the youth ranks. Lee would move on to Burnley for £150,000 in July 1999.

Ian Taylor suffers his 50th defeat in a Villa shirt on his 166th appearance (154 Starts) to make it W77 D39 L50, 21 Goals, 10 Assists and 30 Bookings so far in his Villa career.

Paul Merson scores his 5th goal in a Villa shirt on his 13th appearance (12 Starts) to make it W6 D4 L3, 5 Goals, 1 Assist and 1 Booking at a goal involvement rate of one for every 2.17 games played so far in his Villa career.

Lee Hendrie collects his 10th booking in a Villa shirt on his 62nd appearance (48 Starts) to make it W32 D12 L18, 5 Goals, 9 Assists, 10 Bookings and 1 Red Card at a rate of a card every 5.6 games so far in his Villa career.

Future Villa goalkeeper Shay Given lines up for Newcastle.

Midfielder Michael Standing, 17, makes his first squad appearance for Villa after coming through the youth ranks following his move from Brighton in July 1997.

Villa suffer a second successive defeat under John Gregory and fall back to 4th in the Premier League table having spend the first six months of the season top of the table.

Villa make it 3 consecutive Premier League defeats under John Gregory and remain 4th in the table.

Villa’s first 3 losses of the season had come across 4 months and 19 games under John Gregory.

Riccardo Scimeca scores his second goal in a Villa shirt on his 91st appearance (62 Starts) to make it W45 D17 L29, 2 Goals and 4 Bookings so far in his Villa career. 

Villa avoid defeat but are now winless in four Premier League games under John Gregory to leave them fourth in the table and sinking with their title challenge seemingly all but over. 

Lee Hendrie makes his 50th start in a Villa shirt (64 appearances) to make it W32 D13 L19, 5 Goals, 9 Assists, 10 Bookings and 1 Red Card so far in his Villa career.

Villa do the unthinkable and lose to Coventry at Villa Park for the first time in history as 1999 continues in vastly different style from 1998 under John Gregory.

Villa lose for the 5th time in 6 under John Gregory.

Villa field an All English first XI for the final time.

Dion Dublin scores for the first time in 9 games as he grabs his 10th goal in a Villa shirt on his 16th appearance to make it W6 D4 L16, 10 Goals, 2 Assists and 4 Bookings at a goal involvement rate of one for every 1.33 games played so far in his Villa career.

Villa suffer their 4th consecutive defeat and 8th in 9 under John Gregory and in just 2 months the long time leaders have fallen to 7th in the table.

Centre forward Stan Collymore, 28, makes his 61st and final appearance in a Villa shirt (49 Starts) and left with a record of W27 D9 L25, 15 Goals, 7 Assists, 10 Bookings and 2 Red Cards at a goal involvement rate of one for every 2.77 games he played across his all too short Villa career.

Alan Thompson collects his 10th booking in a Villa shirt on his 26th appearance to make it W10 D6 L10, 2 Goals, 3 Assists and 10 Bookings at a rate of a card every 2.60 games so far in his Villa career.

Villa stop a run of four consecutive defeats but are held at home by West Ham to leave them winless in 10 games in all competitions under John Gregory.

Villa keep their first clean sheet in four games.

Centre back Colin Calderwood, 34, makes his debut in a Villa shirt after joining from Tottenham Hotspur for a fee of £297,000 in January 1999 to become the 735th  player to play for Villa in first team League or Cup football.

Mark Bosnich makes his 225th appearance in a Villa shirt (224 Starts) to make it W103 D53 L69, 219 Goals Conceded at a rate of 0.97 goals per game, 88 Clean Sheets (39%), 9 Bookings and 1 Red Card so far in his Villa career.

Villa take the lead for the first time in 11 matches but despite going two up early in the second half they are held to another draw under Brian Little.

Villa are now 6th in the table.

Julian Joachim contributes his 30th goal involvement in a Villa shirt on his 95th appearance (58 Starts) to make it W36 D19 L40, 24 Goals, 6 Assists and 1 Booking at a goal involvement rate of one for every 3.17 games played so far in his Villa career.

Mark Draper collects his 10th booking in a Villa shirt on his 148th appearance (135 Starts) to make it W72 D34 L42, 9 Goals, 15 Assists, 10 Bookings and 1 Red Card so far in his Villa career. Draper had collected just one booking in his first 58 games but had now received 5 yellow cards in his last 14 appearances.

Future Villa centre forward Emile Heskey lines up for Leicester.

Villa win for the first time in 12 under John Gregory to move up to 6th in the table.

Julian Joachim scores his 25th goal in a Villa shirt on his 96th appearance (58 Starts) to make it W37 D19 L40, 25 Goals, 6 Assists and 1 Booking at a goal involvement rate of one for every 3.10 games played so far in his Villa career.

Mark Draper contributes his 25th goal involvement in a Villa shirt on his 149th appearance (136 Starts) to make it W73 D34 L42, 10 Goals, 15 Assists, 10 Bookings and 1 Red Card so far in his Villa career.

Steve Stone contributes his 1st assist in a Villa shirt on his 5th appearance to make it W1 D2 L2, 1 Assist and 1 Booking so far in his Villa career.

Steve Watson makes his 25th appearance in a Villa shirt (24 Starts) to make it W8 D7 L10, 3 Assists and 2 Bookings so far in his Villa career.

Having previously not won in 11 under John Gregory and fallen from 1st to 7th, Villa record consecutive victories to climb to 5th in the Premier League table.

Goalkeeper Mark Bosnich, 27, makes his 228th and final appearance in a Villa shirt (227 Starts) before moving on to Manchester United on a free transfer having allowed his contract to run down. Bosnich, a player never far from controversy, left the stable environment of Villa that brought calm to his rough edges. Once gone there was no such protection and Bosnich became better known for his off field exploits than his on pitch performances. Bosnich the player however proved to be one of Villa’s greatest goalkeepers before his ultimate betrayal with a record of 221 Goals Conceded at a rate of 0.97 goals per game and 90 Clean Sheets (39%) across his career of W105 D54 L69, 1 Assist, 9 Bookings and 1 Red Card. Bosnich had sat out much of the 1998-99 season as Michael Oakes was often preferred as Villa’s ‘keeper by John Gregory as the contract saga rolled on but it was valuable experience for the want away ‘keeper who would play just 42 games across the remainder of his career before retiring just 4 years later following drug charges.

Ian Taylor makes his 175th appearance in a Villa shirt (162 Starts) to make it W79 D42 L54, 22 Goals, 12 Assists and 30 Bookings so far in his Villa career.

Steve Watson makes his 25th start in a Villa shirt (26 Appearances) to make it W9 D7 L10, 3 Assists and 2 Bookings so far in his Villa career.

Villa record a third consecutive win and clean sheet to sit 5th in the Premier League table despite having not won in their previous 11 under John Gregory.

Right back Mark Delaney, 22, makes his debut in a Villa shirt after moving from Cardiff City for a fee of £338,000 in March 1999 to become the 736th player to play for Villa in first team League or Cup football.

Mark Draper secures his 75th win in a Villa shirt on his 151st appearance (138 Starts) to make it W75 D34 L42, 11 Goals, 15 Assists, 10 Bookings and 1 Red Card so far in his Villa career.

Alan Wright contributes his 15th assist in a Villa shirt on his 196th appearance (194 Starts) to make it W90 D47 L59, 3 Goals, 12 Assists and 9 Bookings so far in his Villa career.

Michael Oakes keeps his 20th clean sheet on his 58th appearance in a Villa shirt (56 Starts) W22 D13 L23, 72 Goals Conceded at a rate of 1.24 goals per game and 20 Clean Sheets (34%) so far in his Villa career.

Villa lose for the first time in six under John Gregory but remain fifth in the Premier League table as they face former player Dwight Yorke's new team but still he can't score against his old club.

Paul Merson makes his 25th appearance in a Villa shirt (20 Starts) to make it W9 D6 L5, 5 Goals, 2 Assists and 2 Bookings at a goal involvement rate of one for every 3.57 games played so far in his Villa career.

Villa's crazy 1999 hits again as 10-man Villa lose by the odd goal in seven to relegation fodder Charlton as Gareth Barry scores at both ends of the pitch before 7 minutes are on the clock

Villa end the season 5th under John Gregory.

Steve Watson is sent off on his 29th appearance (28 Starts) to make it W10 D7 L12, 3 Assists, 2 Bookings and 1 Red Card so far in his Villa career.

Julian Joachim makes his 100th appearance in a Villa shirt (62 Starts) to make it W39 D19 L42, 28 Goals, 7 Assists and 1 Booking at a goal involvement rate of one for every 2.86 games played so far in his Villa career.

Darius Vassell makes his 10th appearance in a Villa shirt (0 Starts) to make it W4 D0 L6, 2 Goals and 1 Assist so far in his Villa career at a goal involvement rate of one for every 3.33 games played so far in his Villa career.

A polarised season comes to a close during which John Gregory’s fascinating, frustrating, entertaining boom or bust style has been seen in full effect. There really is never a dull moment under John Gregory, on or off the pitch. Although not creative geniuses, the 1998 version of Villa were virtually unbeatable and able to win against any opposition in any circumstances. 1999 Villa however looked bereft of ideas, bewildered and firmly in relegation form. 

Goalkeeper Michael Oakes, 25, makes his 61st and final appearance in a Villa shirt (59 Starts) to make it W22 D13 L26, 79 Goals Conceded at a rate of 1.30 goals per game and 20 Clean Sheets (33%) across his Villa career. Oakes would move on to Wolverhampton Wanderers in October 1999 for a fee of £675,000.

Centre back Riccardo Scimeca, 23, makes his 97th and final appearance in a Villa shirt (68 Starts) before moving on to Nottingham Forest for £4,050,000 in July 1999 leaving with a record of W45 D18 L34, 2 Goals and 5 Bookings across his 3 seasons in the Villa first team.

Grumpy full back Simon Grayson, 28, plays for the first time in 3 months and makes his 64th and final appearance in a Villa shirt (43 Starts) before moving on to Blackburn Rovers for a fee of £750,000 in July 1999. Grayson left with a record of W30 D11 L23, 2 Goals, 2 Assists and 5 Bookings across his two, apparently miserable, seasons with the club.

Steve Stone makes his 10th appearance in a Villa shirt (9 Starts) to make it W3 D2 L5, 3 Assists and 1 Booking so far in his Villa career.

Second placed Villa secure a narrow victory over fourth tier side and 92nd placed Chester in the first leg of their League cup second round tie.

Full back Najwan Ghrayib, 25, makes his debut in a Villa shirt after joining from Hapoel Haifa for a fee of £900,000 in August 1999 to become the 740th player to play for Villa in first team League or Cup football.

Ian Taylor makes his 175th start in a Villa shirt (188 Appearances) to make it W87 D43 L58, 24 Goals, 12 Assists and 36 Bookings so far in his Villa career.