Aston Villa have enjoyed a memorable 12 months, which has seen yet more progression domestically, participation in two European competitions and numerous records broken.
A semi-final appearance in the UEFA Europa Conference League came before qualification for the UEFA Champions League, with a fourth-placed Premier League finish marking our best performance in the league since 1996.
Join us either side of the New Year fireworks, as we take a look back on the unforgettable Villa Year that was 2024 for our men's first team, across two parts...
January
After ending 2023 in second place in the Premier League, Villa kicked off the new year with an FA Cup boost. Matty Cash drilled a shot home in the final three minutes to secure a 1-0 third-round victory over Middlesbrough at The Riverside, taking us into round four for the first time since 2016.
The draw paired us with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, where it finished goalless after Douglas Luiz had an early effort ruled out by VAR.
On the Premier League front, there were just two games – a goalless draw in a hard-fought game against Everton at Goodison Park and a 3-1 defeat to Newcastle United at Villa Park. Ollie Watkins’ goal was a consolation in our first Premier League home defeat for 17 games, a run spanning 11 months.
February
Following negotiations throughout January, Morgan Rogers completed his transfer from Boro on transfer deadline day. Australian goalkeeper Joe Gauci also signed from Adelaide United.
Five players – John McGinn, Watkins, Leon Bailey, Youri Tielemans and Àlex Moreno – were on target as Villa romped to a 5-0 victory over Sheffield United at Bramall Lane to begin the month.
Our interest in the FA Cup ended with a 3-1 home defeat by Chelsea in a fourth-round replay, Moussa Diaby’s 90th-minute goal providing the only consolation.
Despite a much-improved display against Manchester United, Villa had to settle for a 67th-minute Douglas Luiz goal in a 2-1 home defeat, also losing Boubacar Kamara to a season-ending injury. The team showed their support for the Frenchman when they bounced back with a 2-1 win at Fulham, thanks to a Watkins brace.
A week later, two goals from Luiz, plus one each for Watkins and Bailey, secured a 4-2 home win over Nottingham Forest. Jamaica international Bailey was rewarded for his impressive form with a contract extension soon after.
Sombre news arrived via the passing of former Villa defender Chris Nicholl, captain of our 1977 League Cup-winning team, who died at the age of 77.
March
Two goals from Watkins, plus a late header from substitute Lucas Digne, earned a 3-2 success against Luton Town at Kenilworth Road to kick off a busy March.
After a run of three-consecutive Premier League wins, Unai Emery’s men suffered a 4-0 home defeat to Tottenham Hotspur. In their next top flight outing, Villa took a point from a 1-1 draw at West Ham, thanks to a 79th-minute equaliser from substitute Nicolò Zaniolo.
Goals from Diaby and Ezri Konsa secured a 2-0 success over Wolves, our first Premier League home victory against the Molineux club for 21 years.
Our Europa Conference League campaign resumed in the round of 16, holding Ajax to a goalless draw at the Johan Cruyff Arena in the first leg before the team cruised to a 4-0 victory in the second via strikes from Watkins, Bailey, sub Jhon Durán and Diaby.
April
Durán’s well-taken goal was the only consolation in a 4-1 defeat at Manchester City, while Rogers scored his first goal for the club in a 3-3 home draw against Brentford. A second header from Watkins rescued a point after Villa led 2-0 and then trailed 3-2.
Late goals from substitute Bailey and Watkins secured an excellent 2-0 victory over Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium, while Rogers, Diaby and Bailey were on target in a 3-1 home win over Bournemouth to cement the side’s position in the top four. A third-consecutive league win proved elusive despite leading Chelsea 2-0 through a Marc Curcurella own goal and Rogers, with the Blues fighting back to 2-2.
In Europe, Villa established a 2-1 first-leg lead against LOSC Lille in B6, thanks to Watkins and McGinn. Defeat by the same scoreline in France was followed by a dramatic penalty shoot-out which saw Tielemans, Watkins, Cash and Luiz on target and Emi Martínez make two superb saves to send Villa through.
May
Having reached a first major European semi-final for 42 years, Villa suffered a 4-2 home defeat to Olympiacos in the first leg. Watkins and Diaby brought the scores level after the Greek side led 2-0, only for the visitors to score twice more.
The second leg also ended in defeat, two goals from Ayoub El Kaabi – who had netted a hat-trick at Villa Park – giving the Greek side a 2-0 verdict and a place in the final against Fiorentina.
A 1-0 setback against Brighton & Hove Albion at the Amex Stadium was disappointing, but Villa finished the day better off than they started. Tottenham’s 4-2 defeat meant they remained seven points ahead of Spurs with a considerably better goal difference.
Hollywood star Tom Hanks attended a thrilling 3-3 draw against Liverpool at Villa Park. Tielemans equalised after the visitors took an early lead and although Liverpool established a 3-1 advantage, super sub Durán hit two late goals to salvage a point.
Twenty-four hours later, the celebrations were in full flow at the club’s end-of-seasons awards. Tottenham’s home defeat to champions-elect Manchester City confirmed that Villa were guaranteed fourth place in the final table – and qualification for the UEFA Champions League.
More great news arrived after the conclusion of the season when manager Emery signed a new five-year contract. Chairman Nassef Sawiris commented: “As we move into our historic, 150th anniversary year, there is a lot to look forward to with Unai at the helm.”
June
Everton forward Lewis Dobbin became Villa’s first summer signing, the youngster agreeing to the transfer on the day after Tim Iroegbunam moved to Goodison Park. Netherlands international Ian Maatsen, who impressed en route to the Champions League final with Borussia Dortmund, signed from Chelsea while on duty with the Dutch squad at Euro 2024.
Former Villa under-21 goalkeeper Matija Sarkic tragically died suddenly at the age of just 26.
Stay tuned for Part Two, which will be published on New Year's Day.
UTV! 🟣
