With Villa set to take on
Three days before Christmas in the year of 2001, a Villa side managed by John Gregory travelled across the
Gregory's team were enduring a spell of mediocre form at the time and the Rams took full advantage to seal an impressive 3-1 victory.
Goals from 'The White Feather' Fabrizio Ravanelli, Benito Carbone, and Malcolm Christie sealed the victory, whilst Juan Pablo Angel grabbed a solitary reply for the visitors.
It was an entertaining encounter with both sides throwing caution to the wind and showing real determination to grab a vital three points.
However, the first half looked like a washout as half time approached, but suddenly the game exploded. Ravanelli struck on the 45 minute mark with a goal that looked set to send
The Italian striker spun well and finished with aplomb after a header from Chris Riggott fell into his path. Peter Schmeichel nearly kept it out but was unfortunate to see it drift in.
Colin Todd was just about ready to head for the dressing room but he was left livid as Juan Pablo Angel levelled deep into first half stoppage time.
Tempo
The £9.5 million Colombian - Villa's record signing at the time, shrugged off Youl Mawene to fire in after Dion Dublin headed on a lofted ball from Dutchman George Boateng.
Gregory could have been forgiven for thinking that there would be only one winner after the break.
The Villa manager even made two changes to add to the tempo and his introduction of Hassan Kachloul and Lee Hendrie seemed to inspire the side.
Immediately Angel forced a fine save from Mart Poom and moments later Olof Mellberg missed a gaping header from just four yards out.
The Claret and Blue continued to dictate with Paul Merson pulling the strings in midfield and Kachloul hit the post on 65 minutes.
Ravanelli was again involved as he crossed the ball which Schmeichel parried into the path of Carbone. The long haired former Villan lashed in a superb strike to send
Carbone had helped Villa into the F.A. Cup final two seasons previous to his loan at
Unfortunately he did little to further that admiration in this game.
Profligacy
Gregory urged his men forward in search of the equaliser and Angel again missed a glorious chance to restore parity. He was presented with a close range header but could only guide the ball wide of the upright.
And Villa were made to pay for their profligacy as they were hit by the
Deon Burton slid the ball through for Malcolm Christie who coolly slotted past the advancing Schmeichel to end the game as a contest.
Moments earlier Christie had lobbed the ball into the hands of the Villa keeper when through on goal.
It was an unjust defeat for the visitors who were simply not ruthless enough in front of goal. For
Final standings
When the 2001/02 season finished Colin Todd's men were relegated as they finished in a surprisingly poor 19th.
For Villa it was an average campaign and they narrowly missed out on European football on the last day of the season to West Ham.
The 8th place finish occurred after Gregory left the club in January 2002 to be replaced by returning hero Graham Taylor.
Back to the modern day
Villa fans will be hoping for a reverse of their last visit to