2011-12 versus 1990-91, 1994-95, 2002-03 and 2005-06

[Chris Harte]

2005-6 probably generated the most apathy at the club, but even this could not match the misery of 1986-7, which was too shit to be true. To this day I have annual Easter Monday nightmares about getting thrashed 3-0 by an an utterly shit Charlton at the dung heap that is Selhurst Park.

I figured we were in trouble after Spurs (or more like Clive Allen) beat us 3-0 on the opening day at home. Despite every pundit saying we were too good to go down.

[AV82EC]

The funny thing about 94-95 was after the poor results and BFR getting sacked, Brian came in and after stabilising results in the lead up to Christmas from recollection we then knocked out about 7 wins from 9 and had moved comfortably into the top half.  Then came the Leicester 4-4 (a night that has scarred me ever since) and we fell apart at the seams only staying up as a result of that late win at Ipswich. 

[Chipsticks]

2005-06 under David O'Leary we finished 16th (out of 20) on 42 points. However we finished 8 points clear of the relegation spots in the end and Small Heath went down (under you-know-who) which cheered us all up.

This was the season I started following football properly when I was about 10 years old. I still credit Gary Cahill and his acrobatics against the 'noses for cementing my obsession with the Villa.

[Tokyo Sexwhale]

You talk like that was ages ago.  I've got one of those hard-disk recorders and it still has the MOTD highlights with that goal and game. 

[Rob92]

It feels like a long time ago.

That's the only time (apart from this season) that I've genuinely thought we could go down and Cahill's goal still ranks as my favourite Villa goal ever.

[eamonn]

It feels like a long time ago cos ye two are young lads while the sexwhale is a bit more... well, seasoned.

[Zhong Yi]

1988-89 was the worst - listening to Liverpool v West Ham on the radio after we had finished our season praying that West Ham, who had gone on a sudden good run from nowhere, didn't beat them and send us down.

As it happened we only stayed ahead of Boro who went down because we got a dying seconds equaliser against them at Villa Park. If that hadn't gone in our memories of Sir Graham, and the history of our club, could have been very different.

Villa could of actually been relegated on the final day of the season if we had lost to Coventry at home.

As it was, an excellent volley (described in the press as being "the type of goal you see on the continent") from David Platt helped us to a 1-1 draw. That season  saw some absolutely dismal defending notably the home defeat against Arsenal and a game later in the season (actual opposition eludes me atm) which prompted Taylor to state that the Villa team on that day was the most inept display from any team he had put on a football pitch.

You would have to say that 1988-89 was probably the joint worst since relegation, along with the disappointment of the Venglos season and this season in 2nd place.

[dave.woodhall]

1988-89 was the worst - listening to Liverpool v West Ham on the radio after we had finished our season praying that West Ham, who had gone on a sudden good run from nowhere, didn't beat them and send us down.

As it happened we only stayed ahead of Boro who went down because we got a dying seconds equaliser against them at Villa Park. If that hadn't gone in our memories of Sir Graham, and the history of our club, could have been very different.

Villa could of actually been relegated on the final day of the season if we had lost to Coventry at home.

As it was, an excellent volley (described in the press as being "the type of goal you see on the continent") from David Platt helped us to a 1-1 draw. That season  saw some absolutely dismal defending notably the home defeat against Arsenal and a game later in the season (actual opposition eludes me atm) which prompted Taylor to state that the Villa team on that day was the most inept display from any team he had put on a football pitch.

Forest away.

[Phil from the upper holte]

The Ipswich away game was amazing, One minute there were 2 lads fighting each other then they were literally kissing each other after a bizairre own goal

[ADVILLAFAN]

In 2005-06 season I remember beating Sunderland 1-0 with a Marcus Allback goal, which is the most relieved I've felt by a Villa goal ever. I was physically shaking with relief when it went in. Also they'd missed an open goal earlier in the match, I think it was a bloke called Kyle, but I could be wrong.

I don't remember feeling as nervous in 2002/03.

[Chris Harte]

Wasn't Marcus Allback 1-0 v Sunderland in 2003?

[flybo]

Wasn't Marcus Allback 1-0 v Sunderland in 2003?

Was Marcus Allback

[pedro25]

Even withstanding a poor injury record in the second half of this season I feel this is the worse season for performance from the players and managers.  Not just the low points haul, but the poor level of entertainment especially given we have a better calibre of player now, Bent, Gabby, N'Zog, Ireland, Petrov, Dunne, Given, Jenas, Albrighton etc., this is a far better squad than in those other seasons.

[MarkM]

Even withstanding a poor injury record in the second half of this season I feel this is the worse season for performance from the players and managers.  Not just the low points haul, but the poor level of entertainment especially given we have a better calibre of player now, Bent, Gabby, N'Zog, Ireland, Petrov, Dunne, Given, Jenas, Albrighton etc., this is a far better squad than in those other seasons.

From my point of view the big difference is the lack of hope and expectation.

Even during our last relegation season I had hope that we would survive then an expectation that we would bounce back again.

This season I have niether.

I don't honestly think we will go down, but thats more to do with the couple below us who have harder run ins.

But I also have no expectation or hope that things will get better, that for me is how I see it and thats the legacy that the board / owners / manager have left us with

[Damo70]

I started thinking back over the seasons in question to compare them but it depressed me so I gave up.