Tony Barton's Villa lose for the third time in five League games and make it eight Division One wins, five draws and five defeats under his leadership. In total Barton had now led Villa for twenty three games and delivered ten wins, seven draws and six defeats since taking over from Ron Saunders whose record over 35 games in 1981-82 had been fifteen wins, eight draws and twelve losses. Villa’s unsuccessful title defence now consisted of fourteen wins, twelve draws and fifteen defeats after 41 games.