Past meetings: Swans v Aston Villa

Swansea City return to Championship action on Boxing Day as they host Aston Villa at the Liberty Stadium (3pm).

Here, we reflect on some previous contests between the sides in SA1.

Swansea City 1 Aston Villa 0

Premier League – March 19, 2016

Federico Fernandez scored his first goal for Swansea City as Francesco Guidolin’s men boosted their hopes of avoiding the drop.

The contest was far from a classic and the first half was a largely forgettable affair with little in the way of goalmouth action.

But the hosts improved after the break and got their reward in the 53rd minute as they claimed what turned out to be the winner.

Gylfi Sigurdsson swung in a free-kick and, when Guzan hesitated, the ball cannoned into the net off Fernandez’s shoulder.

Swansea City 4 Aston Villa 1

Premier League - April 26, 2014

This Liberty Stadium victory will always be remembered for Jonjo Shelvey’s stunning long-range strike as the Swans all-but secured Premier League survival.

Wilfried Bony had calmly put the home side ahead, only for Gabriel Agbonlahor to level for the visitors midway through the first half.

But parity did not last long as a poor clearance fell to Shelvey some 40 yards from goal, with the midfielder taking a touch before dispatching a dipping, swerving volley over the head of retreating keeper Brad Guzan and into the net.

Shelvey teed up Pablo Hernandez for Swansea’s third after the break, with Bony completing the scoring from the penalty spot in the closing moments.

Swansea City 2 Aston Villa 1

Division One – December 15, 1981

Swansea City’s fine start to life in the First Division continued as victory over Aston Villa at The Vetch propelled them back to the top of the table.

Midfielder Robbie James had set the home side on their way as he opened the scoring in the 12th minute, only for the Swans to be pegged back in unfortunate fashion when Max Thompson put through his own net to level the scores.

But John Toshack’s men remained firmly on the front foot with James grabbing his second of the game five minutes before the break.

Swansea City 2 Aston Villa 1

Division Two – April 18, 1938

Villa were setting the pace in the Second Division while the Swans were battling to avoid relegation when the sides met in April of 1938.

But they would emerge with two valuable points as inside forward forward Harry Lewis opened the scoring early on with Tommy Olsen also on the scoresheet.

All of which meant Ronny Starling’s strike for Villa counted for nothing in the final analysis.

The two sides would meet again at Villa Park the following day, with a very different outcome as the Villans an out 4-0 winners.

They would go on to claim the title, while Swansea would stave off the threat of the drop.