Reigning Champions Villa bounce back from defeat to Bolton with a tight win over Sunderland to leave them second in the table and only a point behind leaders Sheffield United, although the Blades have two games in hand over Villa. Midfielder Tommy Bowman made his Villa debut aged 24 after joining from Blackpool. Forward Howard Harvey made his Villa debut aged 22 after joining from Small Heath. Forward Jimmy Suddick made his Villa debut aged 22 after joining from Middlesbrough junior football.

• Jimmy Crabtree equalises the scoring as reigning Champions Villa secure a second consecutive, and much more convincing, victory over lowly Blackburn - the team that had surprisingly beaten the Champions earlier in the campaign. As a result Villa go level on points at the top of the table having played a game more than fellow leaders Sheffield United.

• George Ramsay's reigning Champions remain unbeaten in 3 games with a goalless draw at Stoke to leave them, 1 point clear at the top of the table.

• Reigning Champions Villa lose out in a tight game with 6th placed Everton to leave them top of the table by one point but having played three games more than their nearest rivals.

• Charlie Athersmith opens the scoring but reigning Champions Villa can only draw at 3rd placed Wolves but remain top of the table by a single point.

• George Ramsay's reigning Champions start the New Year with a damaging defeat to title rivals Sheffield United as the Blades move 3 points clear at the top of the table with a game in hand.

• Fred Wheldon opens the scoring from the penalty spot early in the second half but the League leader's Cunningham equalises in the 80' minute before hitting a last minute winner to beat Villa on their home patch. 

• Reigning Champions Villa make it back to back losses to title rivals Sheffield United despite playing front of a record crowd. As a result Villa tumble back to joint 3rd place in the League - their lowest placing of the season to date.

• In an end to end game Villa and Derby create myriad chances but a goal on the stroke of half time hands the home side the advantage as they secure the points in the second half.

• George Ramsay's reigning Champions' title defence really comes off the rails as they suffer a third consecutive defeat - for the first time since October 1892 - make it no wins in 6 games, and fall back to 5th in the table 7 points behind leaders Sheffield United, having played a game more and with just 8 League games remaining.

• Steve Smith opened the scoring as owing to their lack of participation in the FA Cup, reigning champions Villa play this game one month after their last match against Preston.

• The break however had seemed to so them good as they swept aside a Derby side who had beaten them twice prior to the hiatus. 

• In doing so Villa had won two consecutive games having failed to win in the previous 7 games but dropped to 5th in the table, eight points off first place but with two games in hand.