The Lions of Aston Villa - Becoming King of the Jungle Once More....

Villa travel to the Mestalla where they entertain Valencia in their Champions League play off second leg.

The Villains set their stall early, attacking Valencia from the first kick.

A drive from Tiote is parried wide by Diego Alves and N'Zogbia's resulting corner is thundered home via the head of Ron Vlaar. Villa grab an away goal and take a 3-0 aggregate lead.

A more defensive approach is undertaken and the rearguard hold firm until the 89th minute when Soldado grabs a consolation for the home side.

FINAL SCORE

Valencia 1 (Soldado 89)
Aston Villa 1 (Vlaar 4)

Villa win 3-1 on aggregate.

"It's a brilliant feeling, we're a massive club and the Champions League is where we need to be to continue to grow. Very pleased with the lads and looking forward to the draw!"
Jason Connolly

Congrats on the result Jason. Aston Villa in the Champions League is a huge achievement.

2012-12-28 19:46#74248 Jamesg237 : Congrats on the result Jason. Aston Villa in the Champions League is a huge achievement.

Cheers James!

History was made today in Monaco as Aston Villa take their place amongst European football's elite 32 and are included in the draw for the UEFA Champions League Group Stage.

Club manager Jason Connolly and Director of Football, Eric Cantona were present.

Cantona is pictured with a wry smile as Villa are drawn alongside Spaniards Atletico Madrid, German side Wolfsburg and Cantona's hometown club Olympique Marseille....



Reflecting on the draw, the Frenchman had this to say...

"It is a tough draw no doubt but I am very excited to take Villa to the Velodrome and if I'm a good boy, the boss may even give me a five minute run out."

Breaking Records

A series of 6 wins from 6 bring European Super Cup glory, table topping exploits in the Champions League and a 100% record in the league with 12 points from 4 games....

This stretches Villa's unbeaten Premiership run to 24 games....





England right back Nathaniel Clyne joins former Southampton team mates Morgan Schenderlin and Gaston Ramirez in a £9m deal. Clyne has impressed for the Saints as Villa beat off competition from Liverpool and Arsenal to bring him to Villa Park.

Cameroon U21 striker Fabrice Olinga also arrives on a free transfer from Malaga after 2 goal laden seasons in Andalucia.

Matt Lowton leaves the club and joins West Ham for £3.5m.

OTHER NEWS....

Christian Benteke out for 3 months....
Villa draw Ipswich in the Capital One Cup fourth round.

A trip to Swansea in the league faces Connolly's men next...

Brilliant results Jason. Things just seem to be getting better and better for you.

2012-12-29 23:36#74481 Jamesg237 : Brilliant results Jason. Things just seem to be getting better and better for you.

Cheers dude!

Yeah going well, hopefully keep it up!

Best Story around! Keep it up!:)

2012-12-30 03:23#74532 WestyYTFC : Best Story around! Keep it up!:)

That earned you your first thanks

Great story mate. Can i ask what sort tactics you have been playing, as i've really struggled with Villa. Keep up the good work. UTV

Nice results ,keep it up

2012-12-30 19:12#74626 farlz : Great story mate. Can i ask what sort tactics you have been playing, as i've really struggled with Villa. Keep up the good work. UTV

I have it posted up around page 10 or 11 mate, hope it helps!

Awesome story dude, can you screenshot Tello please

2012-12-30 20:59#74639 Liambrocklesby : Awesome story dude, can you screenshot Tello please

Here you go pal.

I don't think his stats do him justice to be honest.

Wish I could give him more playing time too but Tom Ince and N'Zogbia are playing unbelievably well.

BECOMING INVINCIBLE....

Aston Villa extend their unbeaten run in the Premiership to 26 games and claim maximum points from their opening 6 this season with wins over Swansea and Southampton.

SWANSEA 1-3 VILLA
Liberty Stadium

Villa opened the scoring when debutant Fabrice Olinga skipped past Chico and delivered a cross for Andi Weimann to tap in from 6 yards.

Olinga then found Ince on the left and the winger delivered a sumptuous cross which was volleyed home by Cristian Tello.

Villa went three up on the hour when Morgan Schneiderlin latched on to Tello's through ball and rounded Vorm before sliding the ball over the line.

Swansea grabbed a late consolation through a Michu penalty when Vlaar was harshly ruled to have handled from the Spaniard's strike.

VILLA 3-1 SOUTHAMPTON
Villa Park

Gabriel Obertan opened the scoring for Saints against the run of play as he drilled home from 20 yards following a poor clearance from Eardley on 7 minutes.

Villa levelled five minutes later when Weimann crossed for Tom Ince to volley home at the back stick... The home side then went on to take the lead when former Saint, Gaston Ramirez hammered home his first for the Villa from the edge of the box.

The game was rounded off on 72 minutes when Ramirez found Fabrice Olinga with a fantastic through ball and the young Cameroon international finished off by sliding the ball below Oscar Ustari.

LEAGUE TABLE



"It's a fantastic achievement to go this long without losing but the players deserve it. However we have big test at the Etihad next to make it 27 games unbeaten."
Jason Connolly