Joe Mercer's Villa's play their twelfth game in thirty six days to make it seventeen wins, nine draws and sixteen defeats in forty two games following their return to the top flight. Villa’s first season back in division one after a season away was an unqualified success and a typical Mercer campaign with a series of excellent runs occasionally punctured by losing form. The season still promised more as further games remained as Villa were still competing in the inaugural League Cup whose addition to the calendar had caused significant fixture congestion that Mercer’s men admirably dealt with. A ninth placed finish on their return to the top flight was no mean feat but it also signalled the end of one of the greatest ever Villa players. Legendary Villa captain, Johnny Dixon, made his only appearance of the season and final appearance for Villa aged 37. Dixon had distinguished himself thought his playing career with Villa that spanned from 1945-46 to 1960-61 during which time he made 437 appearances whilst scoring 144 goals, and winning the 1957 FA Cup. As one legend departed the field however another entered as left back Charlie Aitken made his Villa debut aged 19 after moving from Edinburgh Thistle in August 1959.