This was Barnsley’s 130th birthday celebrations. They played their first ever official match on the 17th September 1887. The Reds have though now failed to win any of their matches surrounding an anniversary. After 125 years in 2012 they lost 2-1 to Blackburn on the 18th September, 100 years in 1987 saw a 1-0 defeat to Swindon on the 15th and 50 years in 1937 saw a 1-1 draw with Sheffield United on the 18th.
Barnsley’s last two heaviest home defeats have now come when the SKY cameras were present- this 3-0 defeat to Aston Villa and a 5-2 hammering from Nottingham Forest last November. In both games Barnsley enjoyed 61% possession yet finished three goals worse off than their opponents.
Barnsley conceded the first goal at Oakwell in the league for the first time in eight- Sam Winnall was the last opposing player to open the scoring, for Sheffield Wednesday in April.
The Reds were two goals behind at home (in all comps) at the break for the first since January (15 matches ago) Wolves were the last side to lead by two on the way to a 3-1 win.
Due to being 2-0 down at the break Paul Heckingbottom made two half time changes, the second time he has done that this season- also at Sheffield United.
Barnsley failed to score at home for the first time this season and the first time in nine (all comps) It is the first time they have lost at Oakwell without scoring since the 18th February when Brighton triumphed 2-0.
It is also the first time this season they have failed to net a first half home goal.
Barnsley conceded from the penalty spot (in the league) for the first time this season and the first time since the 3-2 defeat at Wigan in April. It is the first penalty goal they have conceded in the league at Oakwell since the 21st January in the 3-2 win over Leeds (also on SKY)
Aston Villa won on the road for the first time since March, they had lost four of their six away games since then.
The Reds have still failed to ever beat Villa at Oakwell, with the Midlands outfit now winning eight of their 10 visits.
This was also Steve Bruce’s first ever win at Oakwell, he had lost each of his four previous visits with Sheffield United, Huddersfield, Birmingham and Hull.
Barnsley managed just two shots on target (from 12 in total), their lowest amount at Oakwell since the 19th November last year when they also managed only two in a 0-0 draw with Wigan.
Villa on the other hand despite having only 39% possession had seven shots on target (from a total of 10) the joint most an opposing team has had at Oakwell this season – also Nottingham Forest.
Villa did though only win one corner, the joint lowest for a Barnsley opponent since Sheffield Wednesday in April.