2015–16 Aston Villa F.C. season explained

See main article: History of Aston Villa F.C. (1961–present).

Club:	Aston Villa
Season:	2015–16
Stadium:	Villa Park
League:	Premier League
League Result:	20th (relegated)
Cup1:	FA Cup
Cup1 Result:	Fourth round
Cup2:	League Cup
Cup2 Result:	Fourth round
League Topscorer:	Jordan Ayew (7)
Season Topscorer:	Jordan Ayew (7)
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Prevseason:	2014–15
Nextseason:	2016–17

League Result:	55--37--30
Nextseason:	2016–17

The 2015–16 Premier League season was Aston Villa's 141st season in English football. It was the club's 24th season in the Premier League and 28th and final consecutive season in the top flight of English football. Villa also participated in the FA Cup and League Cup.

The club was initially managed by Tim Sherwood, in what would have been his first full season as manager.^[1] However, Sherwood was sacked on 25 October 2015.^{[2] [3]} A week later, Rémi Garde agreed a three-and-a-half-year deal to become manager of the bottom of table Premier League side.^[4] Six days later, in Garde's first match in charge, his new team drew 0–0 with league leaders Manchester City.^[5]

Garde put a strong emphasis on discipline at Villa. He dropped midfielder Jack Grealish from the first team after he went partying following a 4–0 loss at Everton.^[6] On 29 March 2016, with Villa still bottom of the league, Garde left the club by mutual consent.^[7] Ex-Coventry City manager Eric Black was put in temporary charge.^[8]

The club were relegated from the top flight of English football for the first time since the 1986–87 season following an away loss to Manchester United on 16 April 2016, having been one of seven remaining sides (along with Arsenal, Chelsea, Everton, Liverpool, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur) who had not been relegated since the Premier League's inception in 1992 at the beginning of the 2015–16 season.^[9] On 18 May 2016, it was announced that Tony Xia's Recon Group had agreed to buy Aston Villa for a reported £60 million from American businessman Randy Lerner, with the club becoming part of Recon Group's Sports, Leisure and Tourism division. On 14 June 2016, the sale was completed for a reported £76 million after being approved by the Football League. Upon completion of the sale, Xia became chairman of the club.^{[10] [11]}

Key events

• 19 May: Scott Sinclair joins the club permanently, having been on loan during the previous season, after the club confirms its survival in the Premier League.^[12]
• 8 June: The club's record signing Darren Bent is released at the end of his contract, along with Enda Stevens and Graham Burke.^[13]
• 17 June: Micah Richards becomes Tim Sherwood's first official signing as manager, joining on a free transfer after the end of his contract at Manchester City.^[14]
• 18 June: Academy graduate Andreas Weimann joins Derby County after eight years at the club.^[15]
• 1 July: Former captain Ron Vlaar officially departs after rejecting a new contract offer from the club.^[16] Chris Herd is also officially released at the end of his contract.^[17]
• 9 July: Goalkeeper Mark Bunn joins the club on a free transfer, signing a two-year deal, after his contract expired at Norwich City.^[18]
• 10 July: Villa sign Senegalese defensive midfielder Idrissa Gueye from Lille for a fee believed to be £9 million.^[19] Shay Given leaves the club after four years, joining Stoke City on a free transfer after the final year of his contract was mutually terminated.^[20]
• 17 July: Club captain Fabian Delph performs a second u-turn in the space of a week, as he completes a move to Manchester City after they trigger his £8 million release clause. His departure from the club comes only six days after he allegedly turned down a move to City, in favour of staying at Villa.^[21]
• 18 July: Villa sign French left-back Jordan Amavi from Nice for an undisclosed fee, believed to be £9 million.^{[22] [23]}
• 22 July: Christian Benteke completes a move to Liverpool after they trigger his £32.5 million release clause.^[24]
• 27 July: Ghanaian striker Jordan Ayew signs for Villa on a five-year deal from Lorient, for a fee in the region of £9 million.^{[25] [26]}
• 28 July: Spanish fullback José Ángel Crespo signs for Villa from La Liga side Córdoba on a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee.^[27]
• 31 July: The club confirms its eighth and ninth signings of the summer as Jordan Veretout and Rudy Gestede both sign on five-year deals. The pair join from Nantes and Blackburn Rovers respectively.^{[28] [29]} Nathan Baker signs a new four-year contract, the same day.^[30]
• 5 August: Ciaran Clark signs a new five-year contract at the club and Aly Cissokho joins Porto on a season-long loan.^{[31] [32]} Cissokho is later recalled in December after injury rules out first choice left-back Jordan Amavi for the season.^{[33] [34]}
• 7 August: Callum Robinson joins Bristol City on a season-long loan.^[35]
• 8 August: Villa win their first game of the season 1–0 away at newly promoted Bournemouth. Substitute Rudy Gestede scores the winner on his debut for the club.^[36]
• 12 August: Ashley Westwood signs a new five-year contract with the club.^[37]
• 13 August: Villa are drawn against Notts County in the second round of the League Cup.^[38]
• 14 August: Spanish winger Adama Traoré signs for Villa from La Liga side Barcelona on a five-year deal for an undisclosed fee.^[39]
• 20 August: Leandro Bacuna signs a new five-year contract at the club.^[40]
• 21 August: Gary Gardner commits to the club for another three years.^[41]
• 25 August: Villa make it through to the third round of the League Cup, after a 5–3 extra-time victory over Notts County. They draw arch-rivals Birmingham City in the next round.^{[42] [43]}
• 1 September: On deadline day the club brings in three new players, as Joleon Lescott is signed from rivals West Bromwich Albion, Tiago Ilori joins on a season-long loan from Liverpool and 18-year-old Montenegrin goalkeeper Matija Sarkic, who will link up with the development squad, is recruited from Anderlecht.^{[44] [45] [46]} Nathan Baker leaves on a season-long loan to Bristol City and Joe Bennett joins Bournemouth on loan until January, after signing a new one-year extension to his contract earlier in the day.^{[47] [48]}
• 13 September: Villa blow a 2–0 lead with 18 minutes to go, as they lose 3–2 away at Leicester City. One positive is academy product Jack Grealish scoring his first senior goal for the club.^[49]
• 22 September: Villa beat fierce rivals Birmingham City 1–0 in the first Second City Derby for almost five years. A Rudy Gestede header is enough to send them through to the fourth round of the League Cup.^[50]
• 24 October: Villa sack Tim Sherwood as manager after a 2–1 loss against Swansea City at Villa Park. This was the club's eighth defeat in the first ten league games and sixth in a row.^{[2] [51]}
• 29 October: Villa are knocked out of the League Cup by Southampton after a 2–1 defeat.^[52]
• 2 November: Villa appoint Frenchman Rémi Garde as their new manager on a three-and-a-half-year deal.^[3]
• 8 November: Villa draw 0–0 with league leaders Manchester City, earning Rémi Garde a point in his first match in charge as manager and simultaneously ending a seven-match losing streak.^[53]
• 28 November: After a 3–2 defeat against Watford at Villa Park, Villa break their record for most league games without winning with the total reaching 13.^[54]
• 7 December: Villa draw Wycombe Wanderers away in the third round of the FA Cup.^[55]
• 28 December: Villa lose their final game of 2015 going down 2–0 away to Norwich City. This defeat sees the club 11 points from safety at the halfway point of the season, as well as their winless run in the league stretching to 18 games.^[56]
• 2 January 2016: Villa start 2016 with another defeat, this time losing 3–1 at their nearest rivals in the table Sunderland.^[57]
• 9 January: Another disappointing result for the club as they draw 1–1 in the third round of theFA Cup to League Two side Wycombe Wanderers, sparking angry scenes from Villa fans during and after the match.^{[58] [59]}
• 12 January: Villa finally record their first league win since the opening day, overcoming Crystal Palace 1–0 at Villa Park courtesy of a Joleon Lescott goal following a goalkeeping error. The game saw the team end a club-record 19 game winless run, as well as recording their first home league win since May 2015.^[60]
• 19 January: Villa defeat Wycombe Wanderers 2–0 in their FA Cup third round replay, to set up a home tie against Manchester City in the next round.^{[61] [62]}
• 30 January: Villa exit the FA Cup after a 0–4 loss to Manchester City at Villa Park.^[63]
• 16 April: Villa lose 1–0 to Manchester United, confirming relegation to the Championship.^[9]

Players

First team squad

Squad no.	Player	Nationality	Position	Date of birth (age)	Apps	Goals	Notes
Goalkeepers
1				2016 6, df=yes	163	0
13	Jed Steer HG^1			2016 6, df=yes	4	0	On loan at Huddersfield Town.
31	Mark Bunn HG^1			2016 6, df=yes	7	0
Defenders
3	Joe Bennett HG^1			2016 6, df=yes	38	1	On loan at Sheffield Wednesday.
4	Micah Richards (team captain) HG^1			2016 6, df=yes	22	2
5				2016 6, df=yes	42	1
6	Ciaran Clark HG^2			2016 6, df=yes	150	9
16	Joleon Lescott HG^1			2016 6, df=yes	17	3
21				2016 6, df=yes	86	1
23	Jordan Amavi U^21			2016 6, df=yes	12	0
26	Lewis Kinsella HG^2/U^21			2016 6, df=yes	0	0
32	Janoi Donacien HG^2			2016 6, df=yes	0	0	On loan at Newport County
33				2016 6, df=yes	2	0	On loan at Rayo Vallecano
43				2016 6, df=yes	34	0
–	Nathan Baker HG^2			2016 6, df=yes	87	0	On loan at Bristol City
Midfielders
7				2016 6, df=yes	86	6
8				2016 6, df=yes	24	1
9	Scott Sinclair HG^1			2016 6, df=yes	34	9
15	Ashley Westwood HG^1			2016 6, df=yes	123	3
17				2016 6, df=yes	21	0
18	Kieran Richardson HG^1			2016 6, df=yes	36	0
20	Adama Traoré U^21			2016 6, df=yes	10	1
22	Gary Gardner HG^2			2016 6, df=yes	18	0	On loan at Nottingham Forest.
24				2016 6, df=yes	48	1
25				2016 6, df=yes	28	3
28	Charles N'Zogbia HG^1			2016 6, df=yes	92	5
38	Jordan Lyden HG^2 / U^21			2016 6, df=yes	2	0
40	Jack Grealish HG^2 / U^21			2016 6, df=yes	39	1
Forwards
11	Gabriel Agbonlahor (club captain) HG^2			2016 6, df=yes	364	84
19				2016 6, df=yes	24	5
27				2016 6, df=yes	19	4
37	Callum Robinson HG^2 / U^21			2016 6, df=yes	5	0	On loan at Preston North End
39				2016 6, df=yes	26	5

• HG¹ = Association-trained player
• HG² = Club-trained player
• U²¹ = Under 21 players (Contract and Scholars)
• EXC = Excluded from 25-man Premier League squad (players loaned out not counted)

Transfers

In

Summer

Position	Player	Transferred from	Fee	Date	Source
		Manchester City	Undisclosed (~ £2,500,000)^[64]
		Manchester City	Free transfer
		Norwich City	Free transfer
		Lille	Undisclosed (~ £9,000,000)^[65]
		Nice	Undisclosed (~ £9,000,000)
		Lorient	Undisclosed (~ £9,000,000)
		Córdoba	Undisclosed (~ £500,000)^[66]
		Nantes	Undisclosed (~ £7,000,000)^[67]
		Blackburn Rovers	Undisclosed (~ £6,000,000)^[68]
		Barcelona B	Undisclosed (~ £7,000,000)
		West Bromwich Albion	Undisclosed (~£2,000,000)^[69]
		Anderlecht	Undisclosed

Total incoming: Undisclosed (~ £52,000,000)

Out

Summer

Position	Player	Transferred to	Fee	Date	Source
		Derby County	Free transfer (~ Released)		^[70]
		Portsmouth	Free transfer (~ Released)		^[71]
		Notts County	Free transfer (~ Released)		^[72]
		Derby County	Undisclosed (~ £2,750,000)^[73]
		Rennes	Undisclosed		^[74]
		Burnley	Undisclosed (~ £1,000,000)^[75]		^[76]
		Chesterfield	Free transfer (~ Released)		^[77]
		AZ Alkmaar	Free transfer (~ End of contract)		^[78]
		Aalborg BK	Free transfer (~ Mutual termination)		^[79]
		Eibar	Free transfer (~ Mutual termination)		^[80]
		Stoke City	Free transfer (~ Mutual termination)
		Manchester City	£8,000,000
		Liverpool	£32,500,000
		Frosinone	Free transfer (~ Mutual termination)		^[81]

Winter

Summer

Position:	Player	Transferred to	Fee	Date	Source
		Coventry City	Free transfer		^[82]
		Grasshoppers	Free transfer (~ Mutual termination)		^[83] ^[84]

Total outgoing: Undisclosed (~ £44,250,000)

Loans

In

Summer

Out

Summer

Position:	Player	Loaned to	Date	Duration	Return date	Notes	Source
		Porto		Five-month		Initially season-long; player recalled.
		Bristol City		Season-long
		Wycombe Wanderers		One-month			^[86]
		Bristol City		Season-long
		Bournemouth		Four-month			^[87]

Winter

Position	Player	Loaned to	Date	Duration	Return date	Notes	Source
		Huddersfield Town		Two-month		Loan extended on 15/10/15.	^[88] ^[89]
		Newport County		One-month			^[90]
		Coventry City		One-month			^[91]
		Newport County		Two-month		Loan extended on 31/12/15.	^[92] ^[93]
		Huddersfield Town		One-month			^[94]
		Huddersfield Town		Six-month			^[95]
		Preston North End		Six-month			^[96]
		Nottingham Forest		Six-month			^[97]
		Sheffield Wednesday		Six-month			^[98]
		Rayo Vallecano		Six-month			^[99]

Overall transfer activity

Spending

Summer: Undisclosed (~ £52,000,000)

Total: Undisclosed (~ £52,000,000)

Income

Summer: Undisclosed (~ £44,250,000)

Total: Undisclosed (~ £44,250,000)

Net expenditure

Summer: Undisclosed (~ £7,750,000)

Total: Undisclosed (~ £7,750,000)

Competitions

Overview

Games played	44 (38 Premier League, 3 FA Cup, 3 League Cup)
Games won	6 (3 Premier League, 1 FA Cup, 2 League Cup)
Games drawn	9 (8 Premier League, 1 FA Cup)
Games lost	29 (27 Premier League, 1 FA Cup, 1 League Cup)
Goals scored	37 (27 Premier League, 3 FA Cup, 7 League Cup)
Goals conceded	86 (76 Premier League, 5 FA Cup, 5 League Cup)
Total goal difference	-49 (−49 Premier League, −2 FA Cup, +2 League Cup)
Clean sheets	8 (6 Premier League, 1 FA Cup, 1 League Cup)
Yellow Cards	80 (71 Premier League, 5 FA Cup, 4 League Cup)
Red Cards	2 (2 Premier League)
Most appearances	Gestede (34)
Most minutes played	Guzan (2020)
Top scorer	Ayew Gestede Sinclair (6)
Worst Discipline	Ayew (6 1)
Points	17
Best Result	2–0 v Wycombe Wanderers, FA Cup (19/1/16) / Norwich City, Premier League (6/2/16)
Worst Result	0–6 v Liverpool, Premier League (13/02/16)

Overview

Competition	Record
Premier League
FA Cup
League Cup
Total Premier League See main article: 2015–16 Premier League. Matches On 17 June 2015, the fixtures for the forthcoming season were announced.^[100] FA Cup See main article: 2015–16 FA Cup. League Cup See main article: 2015–16 Football League Cup. Statistics Appearances No. Nat. Player Premier League FA Cup League Cup Total Notes width=60 Start width=60 Sub width=60 Start width=60 Sub width=60 Start width=60 Sub width=60 Start width=60 Sub width=120 Goalkeepers 1 Guzan 28 – 2 – 2 – 32 0 13 Steer – – – – – – 0 0 ^[101] 31 Bunn 10 – 1 – 1 – 12 0 Defenders 2 Baker – – – – 1 – 1 0 ^[102] 2 Ilori – – – – – – 0 0 ^[103] 3 Bennett – – – – – 1 0 1 ^[104] ^[105] 4 Richards 23 1 3 – 1 – 27 1 5 Okore 12 – 1 1 – – 13 1 6 Clark 16 2 3 – 2 – 21 2 16 Lescott 30 – – – 1 – 31 0 21 Hutton 26 2 – – 2 – 28 2 23 Amavi 9 1 – – 2 – 11 1 26 Kinsella – – – – – – 0 0 32 Donacien – – – – – – 0 0 ^[106] ^[107] ^[108] 33 Crespo 1 – – – 1 – 2 0 ^[109] 43 Cissokho 18 – 1 – – – 19 0 ^[110] 46 Toner 1 – – – – – 1 0 Midfielders 7 Bacuna 27 4 2 – 2 – 31 4 8 Gueye 35 – 2 1 – – 37 1 9 Sinclair 19 8 3 – 2 1 24 9 12 Cole – – – – – 1 0 1 ^[111] 15 Westwood 31 1 3 – 2 – 36 1 17 Veretout 21 4 – 2 2 – 23 6 18 Richardson 8 3 2 – 2 – 12 3 20 Traoré – 10 – – 1 – 1 10 22 Gardner – – – – – – 0 0 ^[112] 24 Sánchez 16 4 1 – 2 – 19 4 25 Gil 17 6 3 – 1 – 21 6 28 N'Zogbia – 2 – – – – 0 2 38 Lyden 2 2 – – – – 2 2 40 Grealish 9 7 1 1 1 2 12 9 Forwards 11 Agbonlahor 13 2 – 1 2 – 14 4 19 Ayew 27 3 2 1 1 2 30 6 27 Kozák 3 1 – – – 1 3 2 39 Gestede 14 18 2 – 2 – 18 18 Notes Players without appearances before going out on season-long loans.^[113] Goalscorers Correct as of 6 February 2016 Players with the same number of goals are listed by their position on the club's official website Source Players highlighted in light grey denote the player had scored for the club before leaving for another club Players highlighted in light cyan denote the player has scored for the club after arriving at Aston Villa during the season Players highlighted in Blonde denote the player had scored for the club before leaving the club on loan for part/the rest of the season width=15 Rank width=15 Pos. width=15 Nat. width=110 Player width=50 Premier League width=50 FA Cup width=50 League Cup width=60 Total 1 FW Jordan Ayew 7 – – 7 2 FW Rudy Gestede 5 – 1 6 MF Scott Sinclair 2 – 4 6 4 DF Joleon Lescott 3 – – 3 5 DF Ciaran Clark 1 1 – 2 DF Micah Richards 1 1 – 2 MF Ashley Westwood 2 – – 2 MF Carles Gil 2 – – 2 9 DF Joe Bennett – – 1 1 MF Idrissa Gueye – 1 – 1 MF Adama Traoré – – 1 1 MF Jack Grealish 1 – – 1 FW Gabriel Agbonlahor 1 – – 1 MF Leandro Bacuna 1 – – 1 Own Goals 1 – – 1 Total 27 3 7 37 Assists Correct as of 6 February 2016 Players with the same number of goals are listed by their position on the club's official website Source Players highlighted in light grey denote the player had assisted for the club before leaving for another club Players highlighted in light cyan denote the player has assisted for the club after arriving at Aston Villa during the season Players highlighted in Blonde denote the player had assisted for the club before leaving the club on loan for part/the rest of the season width=15 Rank width=15 Pos. width=15 Nat. width=110 Player width=50 Premier League width=50 FA Cup width=50 League Cup width=60 Total 1 MF Jordan Veretout 5 – – 5 2 DF Jordan Amavi 2 – 1 3 3 MF Ashley Westwood 2 1 – 3 MF Jack Grealish – – 2 2 FW Gabriel Agbonlahor 2 – – 2 6 DF Micah Richards 1 – – 1 DF Alan Hutton 1 – – 1 MF Joe Cole – – 1 1 MF Kieran Richardson 1 – – 1 MF Adama Traoré 1 – – 1 FW Rudy Gestede 1 1 – 2 MF Carles Gil 1 – – 1 Totals 17 3 4 24 Disciplinary record Correct as of 15 May 2016 Players are listed in descending order of Players with the same number of cards are listed by their position on the club's official website Source Players highlighted in light grey denote the player has received a yellow/red card for the club before leaving for another club Players highlighted in light cyan denote the player has received a yellow/red card for the club after arriving at Aston Villa during the season Players highlighted in Blonde denote the player had received a yellow/red card for the club before leaving the club on loan for part/the rest of the season Player Premier League FA Cup League Cup Total 15 4 – – 2 – – 1 – – 7 0 0 19 5 – 1 – – – – – – 5 0 1 7 5 – – 1 – – – – – 6 0 0 6 4 – – – – – 1 – – 5 0 0 21 4 – – – – – – – – 4 0 0 8 4 – – – – – – – – 4 0 0 4 3 – – – – – – – – 3 0 0 18 3 – – – – – – – – 3 0 0 25 3 – – – – – – – – 3 0 0 1 2 – – – – – – – – 2 0 0 31 1 – – – – – 1 – – 2 0 0 24 2 – – – – – – – – 2 0 0 23 2 – – – – – – – – 2 0 0 17 2 – – – – – – – – 2 0 0 39 2 – – – – – – – – 2 0 0 16 1 – – – – – – – – 1 0 0 43 1 – – – – – – – – 1 0 0 25 1 – – – – – – – – 1 0 0 40 1 – – – – – – – – 1 0 0 11 – – – – – – 1 – – 1 0 0 Totals 48 – 1 3 – – 4 – – 55 0 1 Notes Suspensions Player Date Received Offence Length of suspension Micah Richards Post-match misconduct (26/10/15)^[114] 1 match Tottenham Hotspur, Premier League Ciaran Clark v Watford, 28/11/15 1 match Southampton, Premier League Ashley Westwood v Norwich City, 28/12/15 1 match Sunderland, Premier League Jordan Ayew v Norwich City, 28/12/15 1 match Sunderland, Premier League Jordan Ayew v West Ham United, 30/1/16 3 matches Norwich, Liverpool, Stoke City, Premier League Clean sheets Includes all competitive matches. width=15 width=15 width=15 width=15 width=150 Player width=80 Premier League width=80 FA Cup width=80 League Cup width=80 Total 1 1 GK Brad Guzan 2 1 1 4 2 31 GK Mark Bunn 4 – – 4 Totals 6 1 1 8 References

Notes and References

1. Web site: Tim Sherwood appointed new Aston Villa boss . BBC Sport. 14 February 2015 . 25 May 2015.
2. News: Tim Sherwood: Aston Villa manager sacked after eight months . BBC Sport . 25 October 2015.
3. News: Remi Garde: Aston Villa confirm ex-Lyon boss as manager . BBC Sport . 2 November 2015 . 6 November 2015.
4. News: Remi Garde: Aston Villa confirm ex-Lyon boss as manager . BBC Sport . 2 November 2015 . 14 January 2016.
5. News: Aston Villa frustrate Manchester City as Rémi Garde makes instant impact. 8 November 2015. The Guardian. London. 10 November 2015.
6. News: Aston Villa boss Remi Garde: Christmas not a party time for us. 30 December 2015. ESPN FC. 4 December 2015.
7. News: Club statement: Rémi Garde. 29 March 2016. Aston Villa F.C.. 29 March 2016. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20160330164710/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10265~5455200%2C00.html. 30 March 2016.
8. Web site: Eric Black claims Aston Villa squad feel hurt by human cost of relegation. TheGuardian.com. 29 April 2016.
9. Web site: Manchester United 1–0 Aston Villa . BBC Sport. 16 April 2015 . 25 April 2015.
10. Web site: Introducing Tony Xia Latest News Aston Villa. www.avfc.co.uk. 19 May 2016. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20160519104219/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10265~5580405%2C00.html. 19 May 2016.
11. Web site: Club statement: Sale confirmed Latest News Aston Villa. www.avfc.co.uk. 14 June 2016. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20160615112812/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10265~5650044%2C00.html. 15 June 2016.
12. Web site: Breaking news: Scott Sinclair makes permanent Villa move . Aston Villa Football Club . 18 May 2015 . 25 May 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150520030023/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~4729463,00.html . 20 May 2015 . dead . dmy-all .
13. News: Bent and Stevens both released by Villa . Aston Villa Football Club . 8 June 2015 . 8 June 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150923230321/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10265~4777129%2C00.html . 23 September 2015 . dead . dmy-all .
14. News: Breaking transfer news: Villa sign defender Micah Richards . Aston Villa Football Club . 17 June 2015 . 17 June 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150923230338/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10265~4800877%2C00.html . 23 September 2015 . dead . dmy-all .
15. News: Transfer news: Andi Weimann joins Derby County . Aston Villa Football Club . 18 June 2015 . 18 June 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150619014606/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~4803980,00.html . 19 June 2015 . dead . dmy-all .
16. News: Aston Villa: Ron Vlaar is now officially a free agent . Birmingham Mail . 1 July 2015 . 9 July 2015.
17. News: Revealed: The full list of senior players 'released' by Premier League clubs . Birmingham Mail . 10 June 2015 . 11 September 2015.
18. News: Mark Bunn joins Villa . Aston Villa Football Club . 9 July 2015 . 9 July 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150812060839/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~4851967,00.html . 12 August 2015 . dead . dmy-all .
19. News: Breaking news: Villa sign Gueye . Aston Villa Football Club . 10 July 2015 . 10 July 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160317150521/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10265~4855398%2C00.html . 17 March 2016 . dead . dmy-all .
20. News: Given moves to Stoke . Aston Villa Football Club . 10 July 2015 . 10 July 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150923230418/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10265~4855302%2C00.html . 23 September 2015 . dead . dmy-all .
21. News: Fabian Delph: Manchester City sign Aston Villa captain for £8m . BBC Sport . 18 July 2015.
22. News: Villa complete signing of Jordan Amavi . Aston Villa Football Club . 18 July 2015 . 18 July 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20151022034206/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10265~4872382%2C00.html . 22 October 2015 . dead . dmy-all .
23. News: Aston Villa 'complete transfer deal for defender Jordan Amavi from Nice'. Metro . 18 July 2015.
24. News: Christian Benteke: Liverpool sign £32.5 m Aston Villa striker . BBC Sport . 22 July 2015.
25. Web site: Breaking news: Villa sign Ayew . Aston Villa Football Club . 27 July 2015 . 27 July 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20151118025652/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10265~4891745%2C00.html . 18 November 2015 . dead . dmy-all .
26. Web site: Aston Villa agree a fee with Lorient for Jordan Ayew . 26 July 2015 . Birmingham Mail . 27 July 2015.
27. Web site: Breaking news: Villa sign Crespo . Aston Villa Football Club . 27 July 2015 . 28 July 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20151124165221/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10265~4894417%2C00.html . 24 November 2015 . dead . dmy-all .
28. Web site: Breaking news: Villa sign Veretout . Aston Villa Football Club . 31 July 2015 . 31 July 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20151104140145/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10265~4901219%2C00.html . 4 November 2015 . dead . dmy-all .
29. Web site: Breaking news: Villa welcome Gestede . Aston Villa Football Club . 31 July 2015 . 31 July 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150801132744/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~4901306,00.html . 1 August 2015 . dead .
30. Web site: Nathan Baker pens new deal . Aston Villa Football Club . 31 July 2015 . 31 July 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150801132818/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~4901495,00.html . 1 August 2015 . dead . dmy-all .
31. Web site: Ciaran Clark pens new deal . Aston Villa Football Club . 5 August 2015 . 5 August 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150807181643/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~4911792,00.html . 7 August 2015 . dead .
32. News: Aston Villa confirm loan of Aly Cissokho . Birmingham Mail . 5 August 2015.
33. News: Aston Villa recall Aly Cissokho from Porto . BBC Sport . 18 December 2015 . 24 December 2015.
34. Web site: Jordan Amavi: Aston Villa defender to miss rest of season . BBC Sport . 16 November 2015.
35. News: Robinson moves on loan . Aston Villa Football Club . 7 August 2015 . 7 August 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20151023122727/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10265~4916305%2C00.html . 23 October 2015 . dead . dmy-all .
36. News: Bournemouth 0–1 Aston Villa . Aston Villa Football Club . 8 August 2015 .
37. Web site: Westwood signs new deal . Aston Villa Football Club . 14 August 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150815000701/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~4928025,00.html . 15 August 2015 . dead . dmy-all .
38. News: Capital One Cup draw: Villa learn second round opponents . Aston Villa Football Club . 13 August 2015 . 13 August 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150816001224/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~4931534,00.html . 16 August 2015 . dead .
39. Web site: Adama Traore: Barcelona winger joins Aston Villa . BBC Sport . 14 August 2015.
40. Web site: Bacuna signs long-term deal . Aston Villa Football Club . 21 August 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150823181812/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~4946453,00.html . 23 August 2015 . dead .
41. Web site: Newsflash: Gardner pens new deal. Aston Villa Football Club. 21 August 2015. 21 August 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150823181829/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~4948628,00.html. 23 August 2015. dead.
42. Web site: Aston Villa 5–3 Notts County . BBC Sport . 26 August 2015.
43. Web site: Capital One Cup: Villa draw Blues . Aston Villa Football Club . 26 August 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150828005351/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~4958201,00.html . 28 August 2015 . dead .
44. News: Breaking news: Villa sign Lescott . Aston Villa Football Club . 1 September 2015 . 1 September 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150902235447/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~4973021,00.html . 2 September 2015 . dead . dmy-all .
45. News: Loan move: Villa bring in Ilori . Aston Villa Football Club . 1 September 2015 . 1 September 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150902235505/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~4973555,00.html . 2 September 2015 . dead . dmy-all .
46. News: Transfer news: Villa sign Sarkic . Aston Villa Football Club . 1 September 2015 . 1 September 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150903012021/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~4972909,00.html . 3 September 2015 . dead .
47. News: Loan move: Baker joins Bristol City . Aston Villa Football Club . 1 September 2015 . 1 September 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150903193313/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~4972842,00.html . 3 September 2015 . dead .
48. News: Bennett signs contract – and moves on loan to Bournemouth . Aston Villa Football Club . 1 September 2015 . 1 September 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150903201749/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~4973416,00.html . 3 September 2015 . dead .
49. News: Leicester City 3–2 Aston Villa . BBC Sport . 13 September 2015 . 17 September 2015.
50. News: Aston Villa 1–0 Birmingham City . BBC Sport . 23 September 2015.
51. News: Aston Villa 1–2 Swansea City . BBC Sport . 25 October 2015.
52. News: Southampton 2–1 Aston Villa . BBC Sport . 29 October 2015.
53. News: Aston Villa 0–0 Manchester City . BBC Sport . 8 November 2015.
54. News: Aston Villa 2–3 Watford . BBC Sport . 28 November 2015 . 30 November 2015.
55. News: FA Cup: Villa draw Wycombe Wanderers away in third round . Aston Villa Football Club . 7 December 2015 . 7 December 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20151210040532/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~5194141,00.html . 10 December 2015 . dead .
56. News: Norwich City 2–0 Aston Villa . BBC Sport . 29 December 2015.
57. News: Sunderland 3–1 Aston Villa . BBC Sport . 2 January 2016 . 10 January 2016.
58. News: Wycombe Wanderers 1–1 Aston Villa . BBC Sport . 9 January 2016 . 19 January 2016.
59. News: Aston Villa deserve fans' anger after cup draw, says Remi Garde . BBC Sport . 9 January 2016 . 19 January 2016.
60. News: Aston Villa 1–0 Crystal Palace . BBC Sport . 12 January 2016 . 19 January 2016.
61. News: Aston Villa 2–0 Wycombe Wanderers . BBC Sport . 20 January 2016.
62. News: Emirates FA Cup draw: Villa/Wycombe set for Manchester City tie . Aston Villa Football Club . 11 January 2016 . 20 January 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160115135911/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~5266696,00.html . 15 January 2016 . dead .
63. News: Aston Villa 0–4 Manchester City. BBC. 30 January 2016.
64. Web site: Scott Sinclair escapes Manchester City nightmare as loan clause triggers Aston Villa transfer . The Telegraph . 18 May 2015 . 25 May 2015.
65. Web site: Idrissa Gueye: Everton sign midfielder from Aston Villa - BBC Sport . Bbc.co.uk . 2016-08-02 . 2021-11-24.
66. Web site: Aston Villa: Jose Angel Crespo the latest arrival of Tim Sherwood's new look squad . Birmingham Mail . 28 July 2015.
67. Web site: Jordan Veretout signs: Tim Sherwood reveals Aston Villa faced competition for French midfielder . Birmingham Mail . 31 July 2015.
68. Web site: Rudy Gestede signs: Tim Sherwood reveals the qualities that convinced him to buy Aston Villa's new striker . Birmingham Mail . 31 July 2015.
69. Web site: Aston Villa sign Joleon Lescott and Tiago Ilori - BBC Sport . Bbc.co.uk . 2015-09-01 . 2021-11-24.
70. News: Darren Bent and Alex Pearce join Derby County . BBC Sport . 8 June 2015.
71. News: Enda Stevens: Portsmouth sign former Aston Villa defender . BBC Sport . 15 June 2015.
72. News: Notts County complete signing of Graham Burke . Nottingham Post . 8 July 2015 . 8 July 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150709170149/http://www.nottinghampost.com/Notts-County-complete-signing-Graham-Burke/story-26863894-detail/story.html . 9 July 2015 . dead .
73. Web site: Aston Villa's Andi Weimann agrees to join Derby in £2.75 million deal . Birmingham Mail . 18 June 2015 .
74. News: Aston Villa: Yacouba Sylla moves to French side Rennes . BBC Sport . 22 June 2015 . 26 June 2015.
75. News: Lowton is set to seal Turf Moor switch . Burnley Express . 22 June 2015.
76. News: Matt Lowton makes Burnley switch . Aston Villa Football Club . 22 June 2015 . 22 June 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150923230355/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10265~4813084%2C00.html . 23 September 2015 . dead . dmy-all .
77. News: Chris Herd and Jack Fitzwater: Chesterfield sign duo . BBC Sport . 11 September 2015.
78. News: Ron Vlaar agrees to rejoin AZ Alkmaar until summer . Sky Sports . 7 December 2015.
79. News: Aston Villa transfer news – Nicklas Helenius departs . Birmingham Mail . 3 July 2015 . 8 July 2015.
80. News: Antonio Luna leaves Aston Villa to sign deal with Eibar . Sky Sports . 10 July 2015 .
81. News: Aston Villa's Aleksandar Tonev joins Frosinone in Serie A . BBC Sport . 27 August 2015.
82. News: Joe Cole: Aston Villa midfielder completes Coventry free transfer . BBC Sport . 7 January 2016 . 9 January 2016.
83. News: Philippe Senderos departs Villa . BBC Sport . 27 January 2016 . 3 February 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160128100051/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~5304428,00.html . 28 January 2016 . dead . dmy-all .
84. News: Philippe Senderos: Ex-Aston Villa defender joins Grasshoppers . BBC Sport . 29 January 2016 . 3 February 2016.
85. News: Tiago Ilori back at Liverpool after Aston Villa cut short loan deal . Sky Sports . 7 January 2016 . 9 January 2016 .
86. News: Donacien heads out on loan . Aston Villa Football Club . 21 August 2015 . 21 August 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150823202618/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~4948356,00.html . 23 August 2015 . dead .
87. News: Aston Villa: Players return to give Remi Garde options . Birmingham Mail. 22 December 2015 . 29 December 2015 .
88. News: Jed Steer: Aston Villa goalkeeper joins Huddersfield Town on loan . BBC Sport . 11 September 2015 .
89. News: Jed Steer extends Aston Villa deal & Huddersfield Town loan . BBC Sport . 15 October 2015 . 25 October 2015 .
90. News: County sign Janoi Donacien . Newport County Association Football Club . 24 September 2015 .
91. News: Joe Cole: Coventry City sign Aston Villa's ex-England winger on loan . BBC Sport . 19 October 2015 .
92. News: Donacien heads out on loan . Aston Villa Football Club . 29 October 2015 . 29 October 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20151031032457/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~5104424,00.html . 31 October 2015 . dead .
93. News: Aston Villa defender Janoi Donacien extends Newport County loan . Sky Sports . 31 December 2015 . 9 January 2015 .
94. News: Steer rejoins Huddersfield Town . Aston Villa Football Club . 26 November 2015 . 30 November 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20151129020008/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~5167793,00.html . 29 November 2015 . dead .
95. News: Huddersfield have re-signed Aston Villa goalkeeper Jed Steer on loan . Sky Sports . 2 January 2016 . 9 January 2016 .
96. News: Aston Villa forward Callum Robinson returns to Preston North End on loan . Birmingham Mail . 6 January 2016 . 9 January 2016 .
97. News: Gary Gardner: Aston Villa midfielder joins Forest on loan . BBC Sport . 9 January 2016 .
98. News: Sheffield Wednesday: Joe Bennett signs season-long loan deal . BBC Sport . 20 January 2016 .
99. News: Aston Villa defender Jose Angel Crespo joins Rayo Vallecano . SKy Sports . 20 January 2016 .
100. News: Fixtures released: Find out who we face in 2015/16 season . Aston Villa F.C. . 17 June 2015 . 17 June 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150617123802/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~4799722,00.html . 17 June 2015 . dead .
101. Loaned to Huddersfield Town on 11 September 2015, 26 November 2015 & 2 January 2016.
102. Loaned to Bristol City on 1 September 2015.
103. Loaned from Liverpool on 1 September 2015. Loan cancelled on 7 January 2016
104. Loaned to Bournemouth on 1 September 2015. Loan cancelled on 22 December 2015.
105. Loaned to Sheffield Wednesday on 20 January 2016.
106. Loaned to Wycombe Wanderers on 21 August 2015, returned 19 September 2015.
107. Loaned to Newport County on 24 September 2015, returned 25 October 2015.
108. Loaned to Newport County on 29 October 2015.
109. Loaned to Rayo Vallecano on 20 January 2016.
110. Recalled from season-long loan at Porto on 18 December 2015.
111. Loaned to Coventry City on 19 October 2015. Joined permanently on 7 January 2016.
112. Loaned to Nottingham Forest on 8 January 2016.
113. News: Ilori squad number confirmed . Aston Villa F.C. . 1 September 2015 . 5 September 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150905061307/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~4977594,00.html . 5 September 2015 . dead .
114. Web site: Micah Richards: Aston Villa defender gets one-game FA ban . BBC Sport . 2 November 2015 . 6 November 2015.