<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" version="2.0"><channel><title><![CDATA[AVDB — The Aston Villa Database]]></title><description><![CDATA[The complete record of Aston Villa FC. 5,830+ games, 1,019+ players, 137+ seasons of history, intelligence and data from 1874 to today.]]></description><link>https://www.avdb.co.uk/blog</link><generator>RSS for Node</generator><lastBuildDate>Thu, 07 May 2026 18:55:37 GMT</lastBuildDate><atom:link href="https://www.avdb.co.uk/blog-feed.xml" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><item><title><![CDATA[Brad Burrowes signs new contract]]></title><description><![CDATA[Brad Burrowes becomes the latest, and perhaps most significant, Villa youngster to sign a new contract with the club this season.]]></description><link>https://www.avdb.co.uk/post/brad-burrowes-signs-new-contract</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69c15623aa3981cd0ec17bc6</guid><category><![CDATA[Contracts]]></category><pubDate>Mon, 23 Mar 2026 15:17:49 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9be7fa_01e5d9bcbdd3439ab25899c72315df94~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_933,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>James</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Loan Watch w/e 22 March]]></title><description><![CDATA[Very little to shout about on loan watch this week, other than OZ's damn hard luck in Europe, Oldham's reinvigoration for Kane to enjoy and one lone assist for Lewis Dobbin.]]></description><link>https://www.avdb.co.uk/post/loan-watch-w-e-22-march</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69c0760df68fa4c22fbcceb5</guid><category><![CDATA[Loan Watch]]></category><pubDate>Sun, 22 Mar 2026 23:52:32 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9be7fa_cb43bb8c17214b9293ff09ae1008dae4~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_780,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>James</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Emery breaks another record]]></title><description><![CDATA[Unai Emery becomes just the fourth Villa manager since the advent of League football in 1888 to win 70 games in the top-flight]]></description><link>https://www.avdb.co.uk/post/emery-breaks-another-record</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69c014236e2d8139248fb19c</guid><category><![CDATA[History]]></category><pubDate>Sun, 22 Mar 2026 16:10:44 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9be7fa_c47f19d5ca53407abe01a3bfbe088978~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_960,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>James</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Loan Watch w/e 16 March]]></title><description><![CDATA[Kadan Young  ❌  10 Mar 2026 Mansfield Town  1-0 Reading  League One Kadan doesn't feature for the third consecutive game. 2026 Reading  2 Feb 2026 to 30 Jun 2026 League One  2 | ✅ 2 |  0 | ⚽ 0 |  0 |  1 | Full Player Profile: ~[ https://www.avfchistory.co.uk/player/kadan-young](https://www.avfchistory.co.uk/player/kadan-young)~ Kadan Young     14 Mar 2026 Reading  2-1 Plymouth Argyle...]]></description><link>https://www.avdb.co.uk/post/loan-watch-w-e-16-march</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69b30c3560bf8f6bb4f03ff5</guid><category><![CDATA[Loan Watch]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 17 Mar 2026 16:52:48 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9be7fa_e4132b3eddc841b1ada56bf5cff6984e~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_946,h_396,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>James</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[u18s strike back against the Hammers]]></title><description><![CDATA[ 17 Mar 2026 Villa 3-1 West Ham


Having been heroically unlucky against the highly physical Hammers in the u18 Premier League Cup last month, Villa get their own back with a fine victory at Bodymoor to aid the reigning champions late season surge up the League.]]></description><link>https://www.avdb.co.uk/post/u18s-strike-back-against-the-hammers</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69b96ac2bcb9fb0e96f272f7</guid><pubDate>Tue, 17 Mar 2026 14:57:43 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9be7fa_b78794f2449241b78c16ad67ccce2502~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_800,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>James</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[2026: The Year of the G.O.A.T]]></title><description><![CDATA[Unai Emery not only joins the pantheon of the greats who have achieved 100 wins with Villa but also takes his place at the head of the list after his remarkable statistical performance continues to stun.]]></description><link>https://www.avdb.co.uk/post/2026-the-year-of-the-g-o-a-t</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6998484a9fafb8825ca71105</guid><category><![CDATA[History]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 12 Mar 2026 19:55:07 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9be7fa_7cdf2dd694924af1b675cf408b7cb700~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_640,h_800,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>James</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[It's the dawning of a new era]]></title><description><![CDATA[This piece was intended for publication in the close season, but following the reporting of Andrea Traverso's (UEFA Executive Director, Financial Sustainability and Research) shambolic 15-minute diatribe on February 26th, it really couldn't wait.]]></description><link>https://www.avdb.co.uk/post/it-s-the-dawning-of-a-new-era</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69b01286709b661fe632d397</guid><category><![CDATA[TL;DR]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 10 Mar 2026 12:59:55 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9be7fa_46b46d2dcefb45c38cdd62345ffc12c0~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_600,h_600,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>James</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Loan Watch w/e 8 March]]></title><description><![CDATA[Double B continues his fabulous Falkirk run, Triston tastes defeat as Travis tastes first-team action for the first time in France, Jama looks mightily confused, and Charlie scores from the spot again. A smattering of late goals spoiling results and a crucial win north of the border for Ewan Simpson completes an action-packed Saturday for the Villa Youth. Sunday is clean sheet day as Joe helps Vale stun Sunderland and OZ keeps his ninth shut-out in 20 games in Poland.]]></description><link>https://www.avdb.co.uk/post/loan-watch-w-e-8-march</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69ac6e469992c96cd84acdad</guid><category><![CDATA[Loan Watch]]></category><pubDate>Sun, 08 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9be7fa_591b64cb711b4a07ab2d50b633d431af~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_720,h_900,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>James</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Cole Brannigan signs new contract]]></title><description><![CDATA[

Hot on the heels of Fletcher Boyd signing a new contract, the club has announced another starlet signing his future with the club as ex Linfield youth Cole Brannigan has put pen to paper on new terms.]]></description><link>https://www.avdb.co.uk/post/cole-brannigan-signs-new-contract</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69ac1d1529fc34c427937147</guid><category><![CDATA[Contracts]]></category><pubDate>Sat, 07 Mar 2026 12:49:13 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9be7fa_5fba830a69bb4afcb3e2b0f82aa1e998~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_787,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>James</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Battered]]></title><description><![CDATA[Villa concede four for the second consecutive game, this time though there is no contest.]]></description><link>https://www.avdb.co.uk/post/battered</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69ab40abd66894c6d6f47923</guid><category><![CDATA[Match Pack]]></category><pubDate>Fri, 06 Mar 2026 21:04:47 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9be7fa_6a40c4dcbe2b4079b39eeb3b9d092864~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_720,h_900,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>James</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Midweek Loan Watch 5 March]]></title><description><![CDATA[Charlie Pavey scores one and makes one on his full Stourbridge debut.]]></description><link>https://www.avdb.co.uk/post/midweek-loan-watch-5-march</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69a8393559c2d6395a43c80e</guid><category><![CDATA[Loan Watch]]></category><pubDate>Fri, 06 Mar 2026 12:00:50 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="http://video.wixstatic.com/video/9be7fa_3dd02f156b3b4cadba57cdca61df00bd/1080p/mp4/file.mp4" length="0" type="video"/><dc:creator>James</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Unai’s unfulfilled dream.]]></title><description><![CDATA[
Gone is the effervescent, rarely wrong, and inspirational figure in black. Now Unai is cutting a dejected profile on the sideline, focusing on things he cannot fix, whilst hoping for a miracle to repair those he can.

To underline the current travails, Emery was on the cusp of a rare 100th win as Villa boss; now he is on the cusp of a 50th defeat, with few expecting the former to come first.

Time and circumstance have taken their toll.]]></description><link>https://www.avdb.co.uk/post/unai-s-unfulfilled-dream</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69a9a103a29c2f9814788709</guid><category><![CDATA[TL;DR]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 05 Mar 2026 15:56:27 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9be7fa_82053bae900f4f37be857f698705b005~mv2.webp/v1/fit/w_800,h_450,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>James</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Shaun Goater 'leaves']]></title><description><![CDATA[Scapegoat? Problem? Taking a top job? Or just fed up with the lack of progress?]]></description><link>https://www.avdb.co.uk/post/shaun-goater-leaves</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69a85147f0b3e2caeb610ab7</guid><category><![CDATA[Club]]></category><pubDate>Wed, 04 Mar 2026 16:15:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9be7fa_d2ba3b3e75ee453e80ee8ea9ee3fcd55~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_962,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>James</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Markie Meade strikes late to win it for Villa]]></title><description><![CDATA[
Markie Meade scores his ninth League goal of the season in the ninetieth minute to beat Reading and move to 7th in the table, three points off the top-six.]]></description><link>https://www.avdb.co.uk/post/markie-meade-strikes-late-to-win-it-for-villa</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69a84ed419d1c27140290c98</guid><pubDate>Wed, 04 Mar 2026 15:30:07 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9be7fa_9f41eaa8fad540cfbd8511a38d08536b~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_788,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>James</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Loan Watch w/e 1 March]]></title><description><![CDATA[Double B puts in an excellent display as Falkirk hammer Kilmarnock, as Tommi has his own double delight with his pair of assists setting Crewe up for a late win. Rory makes his Swiss debut as Malen makes it six in seven, but OZ concedes four in a game, yet still has only sixteen goals against in 19 as he continues to impress between the sticks.]]></description><link>https://www.avdb.co.uk/post/loan-watch-w-e-1-march</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69a5a13bfe2730c041342061</guid><category><![CDATA[Loan Watch]]></category><pubDate>Mon, 02 Mar 2026 15:55:03 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9be7fa_2d79513359fc4f74bb6e764bf9b5082b~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_720,h_900,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>James</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[A lifetime ago, today]]></title><description><![CDATA[ 27 Feb 1994, Villa p3-1 Tranmere, Villa Park]]></description><link>https://www.avdb.co.uk/post/a-lifetime-ago-today</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69a19c369d34acb7c43441f0</guid><category><![CDATA[VHS]]></category><pubDate>Fri, 27 Feb 2026 13:30:18 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="http://video.wixstatic.com/video/9be7fa_90d20a25d7004f0d9dc106650baf10e1/480p/mp4/file.mp4" length="0" type="video"/><dc:creator>James</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Midweek Loan Watch 27 Feb]]></title><description><![CDATA[Guessand again. Goals. Consecutive games. Thriving. At least Malen hasn't played yet. Meanwhile, Enzo is dumped out the Big Cup with Jose and Jama sees off Madge Ramsay's hilarious stint at Sandwell FC.]]></description><link>https://www.avdb.co.uk/post/midweek-loan-watch-27-feb</link><guid isPermaLink="false">699df4b4e6cf3604ca3408e2</guid><category><![CDATA[Loan Watch]]></category><pubDate>Fri, 27 Feb 2026 13:14:57 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9be7fa_3517c71b438e4251847293ce117beeea~mv2.webp/v1/fit/w_624,h_350,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>James</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Villa draw antsy Lille once again]]></title><description><![CDATA[Villa draw antsy Lille once again
What a reward after finishing second in the League stage.
Meanwhile, Forest, who finished 13th, faces the might of Midtjylland.
You couldn't make it up.]]></description><link>https://www.avdb.co.uk/post/villa-draw-antsy-lille-once-again</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69a18d4350fcf4a4279f77a1</guid><category><![CDATA[Match Pack]]></category><pubDate>Fri, 27 Feb 2026 12:31:12 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9be7fa_0ecdf569e01b46f3b3fc6d0ab6410c26~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_284,h_270,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>James</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[The Real Food Chain]]></title><description><![CDATA[Yesterday, Barry Bannan, once of this manor but now forever aligned to Sheffield Wednesday, was subjected to boos from the “few fans left” in Birmingham’s 3-0 defeat at Millwall.

It’s an odd approach on many levels, not least being Birmingham’s salivating hunger to recruit any player who has worn the claret ]]></description><link>https://www.avdb.co.uk/post/the-real-food-chain</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69a05ea735595910ad5ccd5b</guid><category><![CDATA[History]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 26 Feb 2026 15:21:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9be7fa_7a6b8236713644ae98d50c63854d0a49~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_436,h_594,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>James</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Fletcher Boyd signs new contract]]></title><description><![CDATA[So impressive have his first six months with Villa been that Fletcher Boyd, having turned 18 in January, has already signed a new contract with the club.]]></description><link>https://www.avdb.co.uk/post/fletcher-boyd-signs-new-contract</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69a17ea332a596f2a27bbdab</guid><category><![CDATA[Contracts]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 26 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9be7fa_00238afffa5a4e6f8a41b2c217c0f2ca~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_840,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>James</dc:creator></item></channel></rss>