Ron Saunders' Villa finish the season with the sort of resounding win they were stacking up for fun earlier in the season. Andy Gray’s final day hat-trick meant Villa finished 4th, one point off 3rd, and their best League standing since finishing runners up in 1932-33 under Billy Smith. Ron Saunders’ wasn’t resting on his laurels however as he again began to reshape the squad ahead of 1977-78. Goalkeeper John Burridge made his final for Villa appearance aged 25 before moving on to Crystal Palace in March 1978 for a fee of £65,000. Although Burridge remained with the club for much of the following season he was out on loan for a period and made just a single, non-playing squad appearance. Burridge played for Villa in 1975-76 and 1976-77 making 80 appearances. Also leaving was centre back Chris Nicholl who made his final Villa appearance aged 30 before moving on to Southampton for a fee of £60,000 in June 1977. Nicholl, a fan favourite with his committed displays, played for Villa between 1971-72 and 1976-77 making 251 appearances and scoring 20 goals.