Villa beat third placed Boro to open up a 10 point gap and make promotion a real possibility. 

The question then becomes who will be Champions, Cardiff who took top spot from Villa for the first time a week previously keep a 2 point gap thanks to their victory over Huddersfield.

Joe Mercer's Villa win for the first time in three to make it twenty wins, eight draws and five defeats, four away, in thirty three division two games so far this season as their onward progress towards promotion from the second tier continues. 

Meanwhile, goalkeeper Kevin Keelan made his Villa debut aged 19 after joining from Kidderminster Harriers in 1957.

Villa win their game in hand over Cardiff to close the gap to the leaders to one point but the game itself is little more than a bout of violence interspersed with quality moves from Villa that see them ascend over thuggish Derby.

Joe Mercer's Villa make it three successive wins and extend their unbeaten run to four as they make it twenty one wins, eight draws and five defeats, four away, in thirty four division two games so far this season as their strong progress towards promotion from the second tier continues.

Villa win at the Old Show Grounds without really trying and retake top spot from Cardiff, opening a one point lead over the Welsh outfit after their defeat to Portsmouth.

Joe Mercer's Villa make it four successive wins and extend their unbeaten run to five as they make it twenty two wins, eight draws and five defeats, four away, in thirty five division two games so far this season as their excellent progress towards promotion from the second tier continues.

Villa are hit for five for the second consecutive match as a Stanley Matthews inspired Blackpool show no mercy for Joe Mercer's newly promoted side.

Joe Mercer's Villa concede five for the second successive League game and life back in the top flight looks significantly more challenging than it had after the opening day win over Chelsea. Villa had now conceded twelve goals in three games but had managed to score eight over the same period suggesting goals for were not going to be the problem. As a result of the defeat by the seaside Joe Mercer makes it fourteen losses in thirty one top flight matches as Villa boss and makes it a win and two defeats in three division one games so far this season.

'Keeper Kevin Keelan comes in for Nigel Sims and things don't go too well as Villa ship three in the first '45 having looked out of sorts from the first minute. Villa's 100% home win record is gone.

Joe Mercer's Villa lose their 100% home win record as they are defeated at Villa Park for the first time in six. As a result, Villa make it five wins, all at home, a draw and five defeats, four away, in eleven games following their return to the top flight. 

Meanwhile, goalkeeper Kevin Keelan made his final appearance for Villa aged 19 before moving on to Stockport County in April 1961. Keelan played for Villa in 1959-60 and 1960-61 making five appearances.