Villa face Besiktas for the first time in competitive football, Besiktas become the 123rd team that the Villa first team has played in League or Cup football, Villa’s 11th continental European opponents and their second from Turkey following their meeting with Fenerbahçe in their 1977-78 UEFA Cup campaign.

Tony Barton's Villa, reigning European Champions, begin their defence with a resounding victory over Beşiktaş at Villa Park however they are forced to play behind closed doors as punishment following crowd disturbances involving Aston Villa supporters at the previous season’s European Cup semi-final against Anderlecht in Brussels. The only spectators were the press and members of the club’s administrative staff totally 167 souls.

Villa record their third successive win as Beşiktaş are beaten at Villa Park but Tony Barton isn't happy. 

Gordon Cowans secures his 125th win in a Villa shirt on his 272nd appearance (257 Starts) to make it W125 D69 L78, 41 Goals and 38 Assists at a goal involvement rate of one for every 3.44 games he has played so far in his Villa career.

Meanwhile Herbert Douglas Ellis once again demonstrates his lack of commercial foresight.