JANUARY
5: Wolves rise out of the drop zone with a deserved 1-0 win over Chelsea to add more pressure on the defending champions as Jose Bosingwa heads into his own net early on.
18: With Villa Park crying out for a spark during a troubled period for manager Gerard Houllier, Villa smash their record transfer fee with the £18 million-£24 million signing of Darren Bent from Sunderland, with the striker scoring a memorable winner days later on his debut against Manchester City.
21: Wolves make Adam Hammill their first signing of the January transfer window for around £500,000 from Barnsley.
26: Goals by Lee Bowyer, Roger Johnson and Craig Gardner give Blues a stunning Carling Cup semi-final second-leg victory over West Ham United at St Andrew’s – Wembley awaits.
31: Blues sign Obafemi Martins on loan from Rubin Kazan.
FEBRUARY
6: Albion sack Roberto Di Matteo. It was a controversial decision, which prompted much scratching of heads outside of Albion territory. But the club’s decision to get rid of the Italian proved pivotal.
11: Albion appoint Roy Hodgson manager. Chris Hughton was considered and Sam Allardyce was spoken to but it was the ex-Liverpool man who got the nod, transforming Albion’s fortunes in the final third of the season.
27: Blues win their first trophy in 48 years when Obafemi Martins scores a last-minute winner at Wembley in the Carling Cup final. Nikola Zigic gets the opener in the 2-1 victory over Arsenal.
10: Wolves announce plans to redevelop Molineux at a cost of £40 million. The first phase, costing about £16 million, begins with the demolition of the Stan Cullis (North) Stand in May.
MARCH
2: Fresh from a morale-boosting 4-1 swagger past Blackburn, Gerard Houllier incurs the wrath of the Villa faithful for fielding a weakened team in the FA Cup last-16 at Manchester City, effectively forfeiting the club’s place in the competition.
9: Warwickshire CC chief executive Colin Povey hails the £32 million redevelopment of the Pavilion End as making Edgbaston “a world-class cricket stadium” which has “a compelling case for hosting international matches”.
19: Wolves claim their first win at Villa Park for more than three decades as Matt Jarvis drives home emphatically from a Christophe Berra knock-down for a 1-0 win.
APRIL
16: Blues beat Sunderland 2-0 at St Andrew’s and go 14th in the Premier League, five points clear of the drop zone with six matches to play.
6: Warwickshire make a truly stunning start to the season by recording their biggest-ever championship win – by an innings and 382 runs – over Somerset at Taunton in Jim Troughton’s first match as captain.
21: Villa boss Gerard Houllier, aged 63 and with a history of health problems, is rushed to Queen Elizabeth hospital, in Selly Oak, Birmingham, with a serious heart scare after falling ill at his Barnt Green home.
21: Varun Chopra becomes the first Warwickshire player to score double centuries in back-to-back championship games when he follows his 210 against Somerset at Taunton with 228 against Worcestershire at New Road.
MAY
22: Stephen Hunt’s superb late strike in the 3-2 defeat to Blackburn, coupled with a Spurs win over Blues, ensured Wolves avoided relegation on an afternoon of high drama at Molineux.
22: Disaster as Blues are relegated from the Premier League. They lose 2-1 at Spurs and were safe on goal difference before Wolves scored in the 87th minute against Blackburn Rovers.
JUNE
1: The Gerard Houllier reign is over as Villa confirm the French manager’s contract will be terminated by mutual consent after medical experts advised against him continuing in the job following issues with his health.
12: Alex McLeish resigns as Blues manager, rocking the Second City and stunning football.
17: The West Midlands football scene sees the most remarkable managerial switch in history after Alex McLeish is appointed Aston Villa boss just five days after quitting bitter rivals Blues and hot on the heels of fans opposing the appointment with a vociferous protest at Villa Park.
22: Chris Hughton is named as Blues’ new manager, replacing Alex McLeish.
29: Blues president Carson Yeung is arrested in Hong Kong and charged with five counts of alleged money-laundering, involving £59 million.
MORE>>>>
