Vic Crowe's Villa open the season with a handsome win over Plymouth as winger Ray Graydon made his debut aged 24 after moving from Bristol Rovers for a fee of £50,000 plus forward Brian Godfrey in July 1971. Also making his bow for Villa was goalkeeper Tommy Hughes, 24, after moving from Chelsea in May 1971 for a fee of £12,500. In less positive news, 25 year old midfielder Pat McMahon left the pitch on a stretcher after 65 minutes with a dislocated and fractured ankle - an injury that would necessitate long term absence and recovery.