Villa put in a significantly improved performance after recent games but lose at Old Trafford as Newcastle win at St James’ Park and the seemingly inevitable finally happens, Villa fall into the drop zone, one point from safety with two games to play. Meanwhile it is revealed that one of the rare form players this campaign, John Sleeuwenhoek, is in dispute with the club ahead of his contract expiry at the end of the season.

Dick Taylor's Villa - with one win in eleven - lose for the fifth time in seven to make it eleven wins, six draws and twenty three defeats in forty League games this season with two left to play and relegation imminent.