2014–15 Aston Villa F.C. season
The 2014–15 season was Aston Villa's 23rd season in the Premier League and 27th consecutive season in the top flight of English football, as well as their 140th season as a professional football club. Villa participated in the FA Cup (reaching the final) and League Cup. The club was managed by Paul Lambert, until his sacking on 11 February 2015. He was replaced by Tim Sherwood on 14 February. Lambert's third season had seen a different approach in the transfer market, with him opting to buy players with experience as opposed to the  previous seasons, where the club would sign young prospects. Villa started well, with a 1–0 victory over Stoke City. This was followed by a 0–0 draw against Newcastle United, a 2–1 win over Hull City and a 1–0 victory over Liverpool. During this time, the new back four of Alan Hutton, Ron Vlaar, Philippe Senderos and Aly Cissokho were praised by the manager having gainied three clean sheets out of a possible four, whilst gaining ten points out of an available 12. However, the team then went on to have a five-game long goal drought, losing to Arsenal, Chelsea , Manchester City, Everton and QPR before scoring in a 2–1 loss at Villa Park to Tottenham. Villa then went on to gain some valuable points, drawing 0–0 with West Ham and 1–1 against Southampton. They then won 1–0 against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park, courtesy of a Christian Benteke goal, followed with a 2–1 victory over Leicester City at Villa Park. On 11 February, Villa announced they had parted company with Lambert after a 2–0 loss at Hull, leaving the club 18th in the Premier League table. On 14 February 2015, the club's official Twitter page announced the appointment  of Tim Sherwood as new manager. Sherwood attended the following day's 2–1 win over Leicester City in the FA Cup and gave a half-time team-talk, his first game in official control of the team was at home to Stoke City almost a week later. Villa lost the game 2–1 after a 93rd-minute penalty from Victor Moses. After also losing his second game in charge, this time going down 1–0 to Newcastle United, Sherwood's first win came on 3 March 2015 against West Midlands rivals West Bromwich Albion. The game finished 2–1, with Christian Benteke scoring  a last-minute penalty, which shadowed the decision that went against Villa in the Stoke game. Sherwood led Villa to Wembley for the first time since 2010 just four days later, after winning 2–0 in the FA cup quarter-final again against West Bromwich Albion. Sherwood then led Villa to a third straight win, a 4–0 away win over relegation rivals Sunderland in which all goals were scored in the first half. On 19 April 2015, Aston Villa reached the FA Cup Final for the first time since 2000, coming from behind to defeat Liverpool 2–1 in their semi-final  at Wembley. However, they went on to lose the final 4–0 to Arsenal. Players. Transfers. In. Summer Winter/Spring Out. Summer "Fee officially undisclosed" Winter Loans. In. Summer Winter Out. Summer Winter/Spring Statistics. Goalscorers. Disciplinary record. Red card rescinded by the FA on 23/12/14.Cleverley received one yellow card whilst playing for Manchester United (not included in this total). Clean sheets. Includes all competitive matches. Injuries. Players in bold are still out from their injuries. Players listed will/have miss(ed) at least one competitive game (missing from whole matchday squad). Awards. Club awards. At the end of the season, Aston  Villa's annual award ceremony, including categories voted for by the players and backroom staff, the supporters and the supporters club, saw the following players recognised for their achievements for the club throughout the 2014–15 season.