Bill Howell: History shows Villa will have to fight to keep flying
Martin O'Neill
In 1993/94 Villa had 34 points from 22 matches having been beaten before Christmas at Manchester United but then winning at Norwich.
Manchester United were leading the title race with 56 points, some 14 clear of Blackburn in second, a point clear of Leeds in third and Arsenal in fourth with 40 points.
In 1995/96 Villa were eighth at the turn of the year with 32 points from 19 games having been beaten by the only goal at QPR before Christmas.
Newcastle were top with 45 points, Manchester United second with 41 and Liverpool and Tottenham behind them with 35.
And in 2001/02 Villa were eighth at the turn of the year with 28 points from 20 matches having lost at Derby prior to Christmas, lost to Liverpool on Boxing Day and then drawn with Tottenham.
Arsenal were top on 39 points, Newcastle second on 39 and Leeds third with 38, a point clear of Liverpool with Manchester United in fifth with 36 points.
Villa were ninth at the turn of the year in 2000/01 with 29 points from 19 games behind a mix of teams: Manchester United (47), Arsenal (39), Ipswich (37), Sunderland (36) and Leicester (35).
They were also ninth in January 2005 after taking 28 points from 21 games. Chelsea led the way with 52 points ahead of Arsenal (47).
Twice Villa have entered the New Year in tenth place (1997/98, 26 points from 21 games) behind Manchester United (46), Blackburn (41), Chelsea (39) and Liverpool (37) and then again in 2003/04 (24 points from 19 games after drawing at Leeds on Boxing Day and beating Fulham two days later.
Manchester United were top (46), Arsenal second (45) and Chelsea third (42). Villa were 12th at the turn of 2005/06 (25 points from 21 games behind Chelsea 58 points, Manchester United 44 and Liverpool 41.
They were also 12th at the end of December 1999 (26 points from 20 games after beating Derby and drawing with Tottenham – they were behind league leaders Leeds with 44 points, Manchester United (43), Arsenal (39), Sunderland (38) and Liverpool (37).
Villa’s worst halves of a Premier Leaue season were in O’Neill’s first season of 2006/07 when they lay 14th with 25 points from 21 games.
They were also 14th in 2002/03 having been beaten at Manchester City but then recovered to beat Middlesbrough.
Villa had 25 points from 21 matches. Arsenal led the way with 43 points, Chelsea were second with 38 along with Manchester United in third.
Their worst start came in 1994/95 when they had taken just 21 points from 22 matches and lay in 20th, despite a fine festive period when they drew at Arsenal, beat Chelsea and drew at Manchester City.
They were still well behind leaders Blackburn (49) and Manchester United (46).
