Andreas Weimann
Andi Weimann’s Aston Villa Career:
Between March 2012 and January 2015, Andi Weimann scored 17 goals for Aston Villa, contributing some of the rare moments of excitement during a difficult era under managers Alex McLeish and Paul Lambert. Although this period wasn’t a highlight in Villa’s history, Weimann was a key player in moments like his first goal for the club, when he scrambled a last-minute winner against Fulham. He formed a memorable partnership with Christian Benteke and Gabby Agbonlahor during the 2012-13 season, which provided brief sparks in what was otherwise a challenging period for the club.
One of his most iconic moments was a breakaway goal against Manchester City in September 2013. Recounting the moment, Weimann recalls a big boot upfield from Brad Guzan, flicked on by Libor Kozak, allowing him to sprint past defenders Vincent Kompany and Matija Nastasic and poke the ball past Joe Hart.
“I’ll never forget that,” he smiles. “I’ve got a copy of it, yes. It’s a surreal feeling. What’s so good about it is you can see the expressions of all the fans. You see me from behind and you see how much it means to them. When you stand there, look at the crowd and see thousands of fans all going crazy in the Holte End there’s no better feeling in the world.”
Personal Life and Humble Beginnings:
Outside of football, Weimann met his future wife Jennifer in Birmingham at a nightclub. Interestingly, he initially told her he was a painter and decorator to avoid being seen as “big-time” or showing off his profession as a footballer.
“I told her I was a painter and decorator!” he reveals with a giggle. “She didn’t have a clue about football and she still doesn’t.”
This small white lie was eventually exposed by Jennifer’s Villa-supporting sibling.
“She thought I was an international painter or something like that! He’s a Villa fan and he said, ‘that’s not a painter, that’s Andi Weimann, he plays for the Villa!’”
Disappointment in the FA Cup Final:
Despite being an integral player for Villa under Paul Lambert, Weimann’s fortunes changed when Tim Sherwood took over as manager in February 2015. His playing time diminished significantly, culminating in a particularly painful moment when he missed out on playing in the FA Cup final against Arsenal in 2015. Weimann was part of the 20-man squad but was excluded from the final matchday squad.
“That hurt me the most, missing the FA Cup final, I’ll tell you that openly,” he admits.
Weimann recalls a conversation with Sherwood where the manager suggested it was time for a “change of scenery.” Shortly afterward, Weimann left Villa to join Derby County, followed by stints with Bristol City, Wolverhampton Wanderers, and West Bromwich Albion.
Life After Villa:
Now at 33, Weimann is still playing, currently serving as a centre-forward for Blackburn Rovers, a Championship promotion hopeful.
