This time 10 years ago we were unbeaten in the league. We were in second place, just two points behind leaders Arsenal. In our next game we would beat Leeds to over take Arsenal and go top of the Premier League. We were good and started the season with an impressive unbeaten run that lasted until November the 9th, when we traveled to Middlesborough. Days later we drew 3-3 with FC Basel in the Champions League following a heroic come back from being 3-0 down at half time. But a draw was not enough and we were out of the Champions League. Our season was ruined. We went 11 games with out a League win. Our confidence was shattered. On the 18 of January 2003 we ended our victory drought away to Southampton with Heskey heading the winner. We were 7th in the league. Our fortunes improved after this but the title was gone. We finished 5th in the league and won the Worthington Cup. In contrast to this, Manchester United had an awful start to the season by their standards. But a surge in the second half of the season saw them get crowned champions. Surprising pundits. Chelsea's impressive 4th place finish caught the eye of a Mr Roman Abramovich, who decided to buy the club. Choosing them over Spurs because they were in the Champions League. I was only 11 when this happened but this season sticks in my memory so strongly. We were favorites to win the League, but then saw it all slip away. I can still see Heskey's goal against Southampton in my memory. It was a glimmer of hope. This was also the beginning of the end for Gerard Houllier at Liverpool. ----------- This shows how things can change in football. It also shows how we still have a lot to play for this season. The second half of the season will be key for us. That is where we must be strong. We have over come a tough run of fixtures. Maybe not with the points tally we had hoped for, but plenty of positives are there to be seen. Looking back, that was a very significant year. A lot changed very soon after that. For us, for Chelsea. Leeds and Southampton were relegated shortly after this after mega financial issues. Interesting stuff.
That decline coincides with Houllier's heart attack and what Carra described as Ged's subsequent paranoia and obsession with the media. A bit like Brendan now. The difference is Houllier's worst win % pre-Villa is still higher than Brendan's best. So yeah, funny old game.
Houllier was much older than Rodgers when he took over as our manager though. Rodgers is very young for a Premier League manager. Though with Mancini, Villa Boas, Lambert, Martinez and Di Matteo all in the PL the age for managers is dropping fast.
