Villa rip neighbours Birmingham to shreds as Alan O'Neill scores with his first touch in a Villa shirt, score six, have two hairline offside decisions rule out a pair of good goals and see opposition 'keeper Schofield make saves into the double figures. It's no exagerration to say this game could have eclipsed Villa's 11-1 victory over Charlton a year previously.

Joe Mercer's Villa bounce back from defeat at Highbury to record their seventh win in eight at Villa Park as they hammer neighbours Birmingham. As a result, Villa make it seven wins, all at home, a draw and six defeats, five away, in fourteen games following their return to the top flight. 

Meanwhile, forward Alan O’Neill made a goalscoring debut Villa aged 22 after moving from Sunderland earlier this month. Leaving the scene however was midfielder Pat Saward who made his final appearance for Villa aged 32 before moving on to Huddersfield Town in March 1961. Saward played for Villa between 1955-56 and 1960-61 making 170 appearances and scoring twice, winning the 1956-57 FA Cup.

Villa, without the scoreline, rip another neighbour apart after the 6-goal mauling of Birmingham last time out. This time it's Albion who are taken apart in the most one-sided 2-0 away win imaginable. Albion for their part try to turn the game into a defensive brawl... Villa have other ideas.

Joe Mercer's Villa make it successive wins against their neighbours as fresh from their thrashing of Birmingham they win their first away game of the season at the Hawthorns. As a result, Villa make it eight wins, seven at home, a draw and six defeats, five away, in fifteen games following their return to the top flight.

Villa beat reigning champions Burnley as their current excellent form raises them to 6th in the table in no small part due to Gerry Hitchens' 15 goals in 16 league games so far this season.

Joe Mercer's Villa make it three successive wins for the first time this season and the first time in the top flight since April 1956. As a result, Villa make it nine wins, eight at home, a draw and six defeats, five away, in sixteen games following their return to the top flight.

Villa put in a strangely lacklustre performance at Preston and despite taking a point, miss the opportunity to further consolidate their top 6 position in their first season back in the top flight following relegation in 1959.

Joe Mercer's Villa make it four games unbeaten. As a result, Villa make it nine wins, eight at home, two draws, both away and six defeats, five away, in seventeen games following their return to the top flight.

Villa take the lead three times and are pegged back with Preston's final equaliser coming in the last minute ahead of a Villa Park replay.

Joe Mercer's Villa play at Deepdale for the second successive game and second time in four games as they contest the third round of the inaugural League Cup. Despite scoring three away from home, Preston secure a replay at Villa Park as the fixtures begin to pile up for Mercer's men.

Fulham turn the tables on Villa and score early but Joe Mercer's men are made of sterner stuff and eventually record a comfortable win to consolidate 6th place in the table.

Joe Mercer's Villa return to League action and extend their unbeaten run to six games as they beat Fulham at Villa Park. As a result, Villa make it ten wins, nine at home, two draws, both away and six defeats, five away, in eighteen games following their return to the top flight.

Villa finally beat Preston having played them three times in the last four games. Villa progress to the Last 16 of the inaugural League Cup as a result.

Joe Mercer's Villa extend their unbeaten run to seven games as they beat first division rivals Preston in the third round replay of the League Cup.

Villa's fine form in their return to the top flight continues as they vanquish Wednesday at Hillsborough where the Sheffielders hadn't lost in 28 games. Villa sit sixth, level on points with Wolves in fifth and just two points off second place.

Joe Mercer's Villa extend their unbeaten run to eight games as they win away in the League for the second time this season to make it eleven wins, nine at home, two draws, both away and six defeats, five away, in nineteen games following their return to the top flight.

A terrible refereeing performance cannot stop Villa as they trounce an opportunistic Manchester City side who without the official's help would never even have been in the game.

Joe Mercer's Villa extend their unbeaten run to nine games with seven wins as they hammer Manchester minnows City to make it twelve wins, ten at home, two draws, both away and six defeats, five away, in twenty games following their return to the top flight.

Villa suffer a shock defeat - their first in ten - as lowly Forest take both points from the City Ground.

Joe Mercer's Villa lose for the first time in ten and fail to score for the first time in twenty four games this season to make it twelve wins, ten at home, two draws, both away and seven defeats, six away, in twenty one games following their return to the top flight.

With the original fixture postponed 24 hours before due to fog, Villa face Plymouth a day late in what were barely different conditions. Villa fall two behind despite Plymouth losing their 'keeper for 20 minutes in the first half and equalise with 20 minutes remaining to set up a replay at Home Park.

Joe Mercer's Villa face second division Plymouth in the fourth round of the League Cup and have to settle for a replay at Home Park after the spritely Pilgrims put three past the Villa back line.

A match hosted on little more than a bog results in Villa needing a replay with Peterborough meaning they have faced the first of four games in the next nine games, three in the Cups, one in the League.

Villa face Peterborough United for the first time in competitive football, Peterborough become the 89th team that the Villa first team has played in League or Cup football.

Joe Mercer's Villa can only draw with fourth division Peterborough in the FA Cup third round at London Road but now have just three defeats in twenty.

Such was the fervour from Peterborough that 10,000 fans were locked out ahead of kick off and Posh did little to temper their expectations as the robust fourth division side but on a stirring display in defeat.

Joe Mercer's Villa see off fourth division Peterborough in the FA Cup third round replay to make it just three defeats in twenty one. 

Meanwhile, goalkeeper Fred Potter made his sixth and final appearance for Villa aged 20 before moving on to Doncaster Rovers in July 1962.

A visibly exhausted Villa, playing their third game in three days, lead at Old Trafford until the last five minutes before conceding a late equaliser. Villa have a day's rest before they face Plymouth at Home Park in their League Cup replay.

Joe Mercer's Villa are held at Old Trafford and now have just three defeats in their last twenty two to make it thirteen wins, ten at home, five draws and nine defeats, seven away, in twenty seven games following their return to the top flight. 

Meanwhile, Jimmy Adam made his final appearance for Villa aged 29 before moving on to Stoke City in July 1961. Adam played for Villa in 1959-60 and 1960-61 making 24 appearances and scoring 3 goals.

Villa win at Home Park but not after a bizarre penalty incident that saw the Plymouth taker pass to his team mate to score past Nigel Sims. 

A Gerry Hitchens hat-trick and no little skill from Harry Burrows and Jimmy MacEwan clinch the 4th round tie on Villa's way to winning the first ever League Cup.

Joe Mercer's Villa finally beat second division Plymouth in the second replay at Home Park to progress to the inaugural League Cup quarter final. This fixture came ten games after the first replay and was the fourth game in ten days that Villa were required to contest due to fixture congestion.

Villa are beaten by champions elect Spurs to continue an unwanted record of post-war defeats against the North London side. Villa face Tottenham again the following week - this time in the FA Cup.

Joe Mercer's Villa lose for the first time in nine and lose only their third game at home this season to make it thirteen wins, ten at home, five draws and ten defeats, seven away, in twenty eight games following their return to the top flight.

Villa are beaten for the second successive week by a Tottenham side that few, if anyone, could match even on their best days. Although defeat is never solicited or welcome the one upside is that their Cup loss at least means some of the pressure is reduced on Villa's already congested fixture list.

Joe Mercer's Villa lose successive games for the first time since December as they are beaten by Tottenham in consecutive matches to be knocked out of the FA Cup and in so doing lose their fourth game at home this season.

Villa suffer more poor decision making from the authorities as they are without Gerry Hitchens who is called up for an utterly pointless Football League vs. Scottish League fixture. Despite the ridiculous handicap, Villa win through to secure their first League victory of 1961.

After the crazy fixture hiatus Villa now face 7 games in the next 16 days starting with Burnley at Turf Moor on Saturday.

Joe Mercer's Villa go three games unbeaten and win for the first time in six to make it fourteen wins, ten at home, seven draws and eleven defeats, eight away, in thirty two games following their return to the top flight.

Villa lose heavily at Burnden Park and fall to 10th in the table with less than 24 hours before they face Bolton again looking for their first home League win of 1961.

Joe Mercer's Villa lose three successive games for the first time this season as they play their fifth game in twelve days and make it fourteen wins, eight draws and fourteen defeats in thirty six games following their return to the top flight. 

Meanwhile, forward Jimmy McMorran made his debut appearance for Villa aged 18 after joining from school football in June 1958. Whilst, winger Mike Kenning made his third and final appearance for Villa aged 20 before moving on to Shrewsbury Town in May 1961.

Villa and Bolton - the only teams required to play on consecutive games - face off again and Villa gain swift revenge for their heavy defeat at Burnden Park with a mauling of the Trotters inspired by the returning Jimmy MacEwan.

Joe Mercer's Villa win for the first time in five as they play their sixth game in thirteen days. Such is the fixture congestion that Villa play Bolton home and away on successive days, losing 0-3 and then winning 4-0 as they record their biggest League win since December to make it fifteen wins, eight draws and fourteen defeats in thirty seven games following their return to the top flight. 

Meanwhile, centre back John Sleeuwenhoek made his Villa debut aged 17 after joining from school football in June 1959.

Villa's fifth game in nine days sees them come away from Turf Moor all square in the League Cup Semi Final. Having been made to play the fixture within 48 hours of their League match at Fulham it's scarcely believeable that the second leg is not scheduled for over a fortnight away. Quite why the rush to play the first leg so soon to Villa's detriment is mystifying.

Joe Mercer's play their eighth game in nineteen days as they face off against high-flying top flight outfit Burnley in the first leg of the inaugural League Cup semi final and secure a draw at Turf Moor ahead of the Villa Park return leg.

Villa beat struggling Preston in a bad tempered game to climb back to 8th in the table.

Joe Mercer's Villa enjoy a relative holiday as they have a five day gap between games but they still play their eight game in twenty two days to make it sixteen wins, nine draws and fourteen defeats in thirty nine games following their return to the top flight.

A subdued Villa lose the first half to Leicester and consequently the game despite a significantly improved second half performance. Meanwhile, the referee takes 20 minutes off from his duties as he suffers from stomach cramps.

Joe Mercer's Villa's severe fixture congestion continues as they play their ninth game in twenty six days to make it sixteen wins, nine draws and fifteen defeats in forty games following their return to the top flight. 

Meanwhile, forward Alfie Hale made a goalscoring debut for Villa aged 21 after joining from Waterford United for a fee of £4,500 in June 1960.

Villa recover from a 2-goal deficit in the first leg to win the inaugural League Cup competition.

Joe Mercer’s Villa, two goals down from the first leg, are held to a goalless first half before forcing extra time by drawing level by full time from goals from Alan O'Neill and Harry Burrows before Peter McParland hit a 109' winner to win the inaugural League Cup final 3-2 on aggregate.

Despite taking the lead twice, Villa lose out to West Ham and fall to 17th in the table having played two games less than the rest of the League.

Joe Mercer’s Villa, fresh from winning the inaugural League Cup, return to League action but lose at home to West Ham to make it two wins, one draw and two defeats in five Division One games this season.

Villa, having conceded early and lost in their previous two, once again go behind to a first half goal but this time they storm back to clinch a much needed victory over struggling Arsenal and climb to 16th.

Joe Mercer’s Villa stop a run of two successive losses to beat Arsenal at Villa Park and make it six wins, three draws and seven defeats in sixteen Division One games this season.

Villa can only draw at Bolton to leave themselves 16th in what was proving to be a highly inconsistent season so far.

Joe Mercer’s Villa are held at Burnden Park to make it six wins, four draws and seven defeats in seventeen Division One games this season. 

Meanwhile, forward Ken Fencott made his Villa debut aged 17 after joining from junior football in March 1959.

Ipswich have four shots on goal, score three, and knock a dominant Villa side out of the League Cup.

Despite a brace from Harry Burrows, holders Villa are knocked out of the League Cup by Ipswich, a team who would go on to win the League title in 1961-62 in their first season in the top flight.

Villa beat Orient to sit 6th in the table and the season looks like it's shaping up to be a good one. Nicely placed in the table, through to the later rounds of the League Cup and with a host of first teamers to return including top scoring centre forward Derek Dougan.

Joe Mercer's Villa go six unbeaten winning five to make it eight wins, two draws and four defeats in fourteen division one games so far in 1962-63. Meanwhile, full back John Neal made his final appearance for Villa aged 30 before moving on to Southend United in November 1962. Neal played for Villa between 1959-60 and 1962-63 making 114 appearances.

Villa suffer a surprise defeat at St Andrews' despite taking the lead twice but Birmingham score the final goal after Villa goalkeeper remains on the field concussed following the home side's second equaliser. 

Joe Mercer marks his 200th game in charge of Villa with a first defeat in seven as they lose to neighbours Birmingham to make it eight wins, two draws and five defeats in fifteen division one games so far in 1962-63.

In a truly shocking game, Wednesday bring thuggery to the pitch and terraces as players and fans alike disgrace Sheffield and football. Jimmy MacEwan comes off worst, staggering off the pitch bloodied, and Villa are left to do whatever they can to get through the game unscathed.

Joe Mercer's Villa fail to score for the first time this season but secure a goalless draw to end a run of two defeats and make it eight wins, three draws and six defeats in seventeen division one games so far in 1962-63.

Villa recover from the Hillsborough thuggery to trounce Preston in the League Cup Fourth Round to reach the last 8.

Joe Mercer's Villa get back to winning ways for the first time in four as they beat second division Preston in the fourth round of the League Cup. 

Meanwhile, full back Cammie Fraser made his Villa debut aged 21 after joining from Dunfermline Athletic in October 1962.

Villa's season is bubbling along nicely as they beat third placed Burnley to leave them 6th with a League Cup Quarter Final already booked.

Joe Mercer's Villa record a second successive win and make it nine wins, three draws and six defeats in eighteen division one games so far in 1962-63.

Villa are held by ten-man Manchester United at Old Trafford and fall back to 7th in the table.

Joe Mercer's Villa are held to a draw at Old Trafford to make it three unbeaten and nine wins, four draws and six defeats in nineteen division one games so far in 1962-63. 

Meanwhile, forward Alan O’Neill made his final appearance for Villa aged 25 before moving on to Plymouth Argyle later this month. O’Neill played for Villa between 1960-61 and 1962-63 making 34 appearances and scoring 11 goals.