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During the 2003–04 English football season, Aston Villa competed in the Premier League.
Former Leeds United manager David O'Leary was appointed Villa manager in the summer of 2003. Under O'Leary, Villa made a very sluggish start to the campaign and found themselves in the relegation zone after winning just two of their first 13 league fixtures. They were still in the bottom three in mid-December before O'Leary galvanized them and they gradually climbed the table. Villa had a fantastic second half of the season and, with two matches remaining, had a chance of qualifying for the Champions League. After extending their unbeaten run to eight games by drawing at Southampton, defeat against Manchester United at Villa Park consigned them to sixth place. The Villains finished five points short of a Champions League place and were edged out of a UEFA Cup spot on goal difference by Newcastle United. O'Leary's side had the chance to qualify for Europe through the League Cup, knocking out Wycombe Wanderers, Leicester City, Crystal Palace and Chelsea to reach the semi-final against Bolton. The first leg, at Bolton, ended in a disappointing 5-2 defeat, and goals from Thomas Hitzlsperger and Jlloyd Samuel in the home leg were not enough to prevent the Trotters clinching a place in the final, 5-4 on aggregate.
The club had worse form in the FA Cup. Manchester United came from behind to knock Villa out in the third round at Villa Park; United went on to win the trophy.
Despite narrowly missing out on qualifying for Europe, the mood around Villa Park was extremely positive in the summer of 2004. With the likes of Liam Ridgewell, Peter Whittingham, Steven Davis and the Moore brothers (Stefan and Luke) forcing open the first-team door, David O'Leary had an abundance of young talent at his disposal for the 2004–05 season.
Among the men to represent Villa for the last time in 2003-04 was Dion Dublin, who netted 48 goals in 155 league games for Villa.
Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.