Villa record successive wins and a third win in four as their end of season form blessedly picks up, young George Graham is the star of the show as he scores one and makes one. Coming into the fixture six clubs had already completed their league season, by full time 16 had. Villa had one game left to play ahead of their two legged League Cup final with neighbours Birmingham, whilst the opposition already had their feet up in readiness. 

Joe Mercer's Villa win consecutive League games for the first time since October to make it three wins in the last four. Villa’s latest fixture is their fifteenth in fifty one days after their wildly interrupted season delivered the inevitable fixture list congestion in the final two months of the season. As a result, Villa make it fifteen wins, seven draws and nineteen defeats in forty one division one games so far this season as a campaign of such promise before the fixture interruption had come completely off the rails following a record for failure that no-one could or would have predicted. Meanwhile, forward George Graham made a goalscoring Villa debut aged 18 after joining from school football in 1959.

Shorn of half a team of regulars Villa are the victims of a poor refereeing decision but rescue a draw at Portman Road. Villa become the last club, alongside opponents Ipswich, to complete their League season. Villa would have a 48 hour gap between this and the first leg of the League Cup final against neighbours Birmingham. The cup final opposition by contrast had three additional days recovery time. Regardless of Villa's form, the League hadn't managed the congested fixture list at all well with some clubs facing considerably worse difficulties than others. As a case in point it was already ten days since champions Everton finished their League campaign and the three other clubs involved in the season ending FA and League Cup finals had all finished their seasons earlier than Villa.

Joe Mercer's Villa end the most remarkable of League seasons unbeaten in three having lost twelve of their previous thirteen including a worst ever League run of eleven successive losses. Villa’s final League fixture is their sixteenth in fifty four days after their wildly interrupted season delivered the inevitable fixture list congestion and required Villa to play once every three days in the final two months of the season. As a result, Villa make it fifteen wins, eight draws and nineteen defeats in forty two division one games as a campaign of such promise before the fixture interruption had come completely off the rails following a record for failure that no-one could or would have predicted. That Villa finished 15th in the table, well clear of the drop zone, simply underlined the form they had shown prior to the new year and which made the form of April and May such a shock. Villa’s season wasn’t over however as they now had a two legged final in the League Cup to look forward to against neighbours Birmingham as Villa attempted to deliver a trophy in an otherwise barren season and win the League Cup for the second time in three seasons since its inauguration.

In a patently unbalanced move, Villa are forced to play the first leg of the League Cup final just two days after the end of their League season after having become the last club to complete their campaign. Villa, have some players back fit but still the team features more youngsters than would be ideal as they attempt to win the Cup for the second time in three seasons. All things considered, Villa didn't need any more misfortune but that is exactly what they got. In a typically robust encounter Villa 'keeper Nigel Sims was injured early in the second half, ironically in a tangle with his own defender, that left him with an arm injury ahead of Birmingham hitting two goals. There's little doubt though that taking the game in isolation, Birmingham deserve their lead ahead of the second leg.

Joe Mercer's Villa suffer a disappointing reverse against neighbours Birmingham in the first leg of the League Cup final at St Andrew’s to cede the advantage. Villa’s latest fixture is their seventeen in fifty six days and comes just two days after their final League game after their wildly interrupted campaign delivered the inevitable fixture list congestion and required Villa to play once every three days in the final two months of the season. Villa now had it all to do in the return leg at Villa Park to deliver a trophy in an otherwise barren season and win the League Cup for the second time in three seasons since its inauguration.

If Villa were timid in the first leg they were downright petrified in the second as Joe Mercer's men fail to rise to the occasion at the end of this most extraordinary of seasons. Although Villa's preparation had been far from ideal, Birmingham, collecting their first ever trophy, were deserving winners over the two legs.

Joe Mercer's Villa can only secure a goal-less draw in the second leg of the League Cup final as their first leg defeat at St Andrew’s hands neighbours Birmingham their first ever trophy. Villa’s final fixture of the season is their eighteenth in just sixty days after their wildly interrupted campaign delivered the inevitable fixture list congestion and required Villa to play once every three days in the final two months of the season.

Villa make it back to back losses as despite pulling the game back to 2-2 with two fabulous goals from the Tony Hateley and Ron Wylie combination they ship 3 in the second half and slump to 17th in the table.

Joe Mercer's Villa lose successive matches for the first time this season despite a Tony Hateley brace at Anfield and make it four wins, a draw and six defeats in the first eleven League games of the season.

Villa, shorn of Tony Hateley by Bobby Moore's poor tackle against West Ham, are held to a draw by a Sheffield United side without a win in their last five. It is former Villain Derek Pace who does the damage yet again.

Joe Mercer's Villa draw for the second successive game but are now without a win in four to make it nine wins, seven draws and fourteen defeats in thirty League games. Once again it's ex-Villa man Derek Pace who does the damage.

Villa turn the form books on their head by taking a deserved two goal lead against high flying Liverpool but the merseysiders soon hit back and Villa have to settle for another draw.

Joe Mercer's Villa draw for the third successive game and are now without a win in five to make it nine wins, eight draws and fourteen defeats in thirty one League games.

Villa leave it late but beat Albion to climb to 15th place in the table. Villa win despite Joe Mercer bizarrely equips his team with basketball boots for the first half. The tactic doesn't work.

Joe Mercer's Villa win for the first time in six and keep a clean sheet for the first time in ten to make it ten wins, eight draws and fourteen defeats in thirty two League games. 

Meanwhile, forward Kenny Fencott made his final appearance for Villa before moving on to Lincoln City in June 1964. Fencott played for Villa between 1961-62 and 1963-64 making 6 appearances.

A truly shocking performance from the officials and disgraceful behaviour from Everton on pitch, on the line and on the sidelines, sends Villa crashing to an underserved and highly controversial defeat.

Joe Mercer's Villa lose for the first time in five but now have just one win in seven to make it ten wins, eight draws and fifteen defeats in thirty three League games under Mercer.

Villa end a difficult season in the doldrums with three consecutive defeats to finish 19th.

Joe Mercer however remained a popular figure, not least for the work done in the early years of his reign.

Sadly by May, Mercer would be ordered to take a months complete rest by his doctor.

By July Mercer would be relieved of his duties by Villa. Packaged up as 'mutual consent' it was anything but.

To make matters worse, Villa would make a highly questionable decision in handing Mercer's job to unknown managerial novice Dick Taylor.

Joe Mercer's Villa end the season with three successive losses to make it eleven wins, twelve draws and nineteen defeats in forty two League games. The season - comfortably the worst one under Joe Mercer - saw Villa finish 19th although they were six points clear of relegation by that time. In truth, 

Mercer’s otherwise positive reign had been on the wane since a terrible run in 1962-63 saw no win in twelve and nine successive defeats. As a result that season finished 15th, a far cry from the 7th and 9th places of the previous two seasons and the inaugural League Cup win. Mercer had also transformed the club off the field, slashing the age of the squad and introducing his much heralded ‘Mercer’s minors’ to the first team, who even in the difficult months of his final season were relied upon to turn Villa’s form around. 

Mercer would be controversially relieved of his duties in the summer with 1963-64 not only proving to be his, but also a number of his protégés departing. 

Midfielder Stan Horne made his sixth and final appearance for Villa aged 19 before moving on to Manchester City in September 1965. 

Forward George Graham made his final appearance for Villa, aged 19, before moving on to Chelsea in June 1964. George played for Villa in 1962-63 and 1963-64 making 10 appearances and scoring 2 goals. 

Goalkeeper Bob Wilson made his ninth and final appearance for Villa aged 20 before moving on to Cardiff in August 1964. 

Meanwhile, 17 year old midfielder Graham Parker made his Villa debut after joining from school football in July 1961.