The 2009-10 season was Aston Villa's 18th season in the Premier League. The 2009âÂÂ10 Premier League season was Villa's 135th season in English football. It was the club's 99th season in the top-flight and their 22nd consecutive season in the top flight of English football, the Premier League. They were managed by Martin O'Neill â in his fourth season since replacing David O'Leary. The 2009âÂÂ10 season was Villa's second consecutive spell in European competition for the club, and the first in the newly formatted UEFA Europa League.
This term marked the first for the club without long-term player and former captain Gareth Barry following his ã12 million move to Manchester City on 2 June 2009. Barry had been at the club since 1997.
The Birmingham Derby made a return to the Premier League after local rivals Birmingham City were promoted to the top tier. Villa won the first of two fixtures 1âÂÂ0 at St Andrew's on 13 September 2009 with Gabriel Agbonlahor scoring the winning goal. Villa also won the return fixture at Villa Park 1âÂÂ0 on 25 April 2010, thanks to a James Milner penalty. Villa also played games against newly promoted Wolves from nearby Wolverhampton, resulting in a 1âÂÂ1 draw at Molineux and a 2âÂÂ2 draw at Villa Park.
The club progressed to the final of the League Cup during this season, eliminating Cardiff City, Sunderland, Portsmouth and Blackburn Rovers along the way. However, Aston Villa were beaten 2âÂÂ1 by Manchester United in the final at Wembley Stadium on 28 February 2010. Villa's other domestic cup venture also took the club to Wembley in the FA Cup, where they were defeated 3âÂÂ0 by Chelsea in the semi-final. Aston Villa finished 6th in the Premier League for the 3rd year in a row, with 2 points more than previous season, they also qualified for the Europa League for the 3rd year running.
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(on loan to Newcastle United) (on loan to Nottingham Forest and Fulham) (to Birmingham City) (on loan to Middlesbrough) (on loan to Lincoln City and Leyton Orient)
(on loan to Plymouth and Leeds United) (on loan to Blackpool) (on loan to Lincoln City) (on loan to Lincoln City) (on loan to Darlington)
The club once again dismissed sponsorship payments to allow Acorns as a charitable sponsor. A new away kit was unveiled on 24 May 2009 and inspired by the England national football team. It features a white and gray halved style with pinstripes and a navy accent, intended to pay tribute to the 67 Villa players that have appeared for the country while at the club. The blue and black away kit of 2008âÂÂ09 also became this season's third kit. The new home kit was unveiled the day before the first clash of the Peace Cup 2009, which was against Málaga on Saturday 25 July.