Eric Houghton scores directly from a free kick midway through the half before 10' before the interval they lose Dai Astley to injury. The Villa forward cannpt resume after half time and City immediately equalise.

Villa send on the injured Astley and he lasts 10 minutes before retiring once again, immediately after City score to take the lead and Villa are powerless to stop a first defeat in eight.

Villa's seven game unbeaten run comes to an end as they concede four or more for the seventh time this season to make it twelve wins, ten draws and ten defeats in thirty two under Jimmy McMullan.