1998–99 in English football gets the manager's job on a permanent basis. 28 October 1998 – Chelsea player-manager Gianluca Vialli scores a hat-trick in the 4–1 League Cup third round win over Aston Villa. Making his debut as a late substitute is 17-year-old defender John Terry. On the same day, striker Brian Laudrup's departure from Chelsea is announced after just four months at the club. 31 October 1998 – Ron Reeves, a 55-year-old steward, is killed outside Highfield Road stadium after being crushed by the Arsenal team coach just before a game with Coventry City. The month ends with Aston Villa still top, a
Aston Villa F.C. in the 1870s Villa failed to find another fixture that season, but had more success the following year. Some of the clubs they played included Aston Unity (who Villa continued to play every year at cricket into the 1960s) and St. George's Excelsior. Most home matches were played in Aston Park, across the road from present-day Villa Park, and in the shadow of Aston Hall. Other games were played in Aston Lower Grounds, where Villa Park now lies. Villa did not have exclusivity in this area, with other sports regularly played there. Indeed, W G Grace played cricket there, as the touring Australians