Tim Sherwood’s mass changes for the League Cup nearly backfire as they are held to a full time draw by League Two Notts County and need three equalisers to take the tie to extra time. 

Goalkeeper Mark Bunn makes his Villa debut aged 30 after joining from Norwich City on a free transfer in July 2015 to become the 883rd player to play for Villa in first team League or Cup football.

Left back Joe Bennett scores his first goal in a Villa shirt on his 38th and final appearance for Villa (31 Starts) aged 25 before moving on to Cardiff City on a free transfer in August 2016. Villa had spent £2,840,000 on Bennett’s services in August 2012 and after four seasons with the club left with a record of W12 D8 L18, 1 Goal, 3 Assists, 7 Bookings and 1 Red Card.

Midfielder Joe Cole makes his 16th and final appearance for Villa (5 Starts) aged 33 before moving on to Coventry City on a free transfer in January 2016 with a record of W6 D3 L7, 1 Goal and 2 Assists.

Jack Grealish contributes a brace of assists to make it 5 in a Villa shirt and a record of W13 D4 L10, 5 Assists, 2 Bookings and 1 Red Card so far in his Villa career.

Adama Traoré, scores his first goal in a Villa shirt on his first start and 2nd appearance to make it W1 D0 L1 and 1 Goal so far in his Villa career.

Scott Sinclair scores his 6th goal in a Villa shirt on his 15th appearance (9 Starts) to make it W6 D0 L9 but it is only 2 goals in 11 games for the newly permanent signing so far in his Villa career.

Rémi Garde’s Villa had now lost five in ten and could only draw with League Two side Wycombe.

Tempers finally boiled over after fourteen defeats in twenty two games this season.

Midfielder Jordan Lyden made his Villa debut aged 19 after coming through the youth team ranks to become the 886th player to play for Villa in first team League or Cup football.

Villa bounce back from anarchy at Adams Park to secure their 2nd win in 21 Premier League games.

Villa win their first game under Rémi Garde at the 11th attempt and record just their 2nd win in 21 League games.

Mark Bunn keeps his first clean sheet in a Villa shirt on his 3rd appearance to make it W2 D1 L0, 4 Goals Conceded and 1 Clean Sheet so far in his Villa career.

Jordan Ayew makes his 20th appearance in a Villa shirt (14 Starts) to make it W4 D5 L11, 5 Goals and 5 Bookings so far in his Villa career.

Ciaran Clark makes his 150th appearance in a Villa shirt (135 Starts) to make it W46 D37 L67, 8 Goals, 5 Assists, 45 Bookings and 1 Red Card so far in his Villa career. Clark has now picked up a card every 3.26 games he has played.

Joleon Lescott wins for the first time in thirteen league games in a Villa shirt on his 14th appearance for the club to make it W2 D3 L9, 1 Goal and 1 Booking so far in his Villa career.

Villa draw against the surprise package of the season to leave them unbeaten in 2 League games for only the second time this season. 

Rudy Gestede scores his 5th goal in a Villa shirt on his 24th appearance (13 Starts) to make it W2 D7 L15, 5 Goals and 2 Bookings so far in his Villa career.

Joleon Lescott avoids defeat for the fifth time in fourteen league games in a Villa shirt on his 15th appearance for the club to make it W2 D4 L9, 1 Goal and 1 Booking so far in his Villa career.

Villa make it 5 games unbeaten in all competitions under Rémi Garde and are now unbeaten in 3 in in the League for the first time this season.

Despite remaining rooted to the bottom of the table and ten points adrift from safety, Villa have lost only 5 of Rémi Garde's 14 matches in charge.

Tim Sherwood had delivered 10 losses in 14 games. 

Villa, under Garde, have also gone three League games without defeat for the first time since December 2014 and have 2 clean sheets in their last 3 Premier League games after keeping only two in their previous 20.

Joleon Lescott manages to avoid defeat for the sixth time in fifteen league games in a Villa shirt on his 16th appearance for the club to make it W2 D5 L9, 1 Goal and 1 Booking so far in his Villa career.

Meanwhile, Philippe Senderos leaves the club by mutual consent having last appeared in a Villa shirt on 8 November 2014 - his 9th and final appearance.

Villa lose for the 15th time in 24 Premier League games.

Villa lose for the first time in 4 League games under Rémi Garde.

Villa have now lost 7 of the 16 games played under Garde's leadership.

Villa have lost 16 of 30 games so far in 2015-16.

Villa have now won just twice in 24 Premier League matches in 2015-16.

Villa remain bottom of the table, 10 points from safety.

Jordan Ayew gets himself sent off on his 25th appearance in a Villa shirt (19 Starts) to make it W5 D7 L13, 5 Goals, 5 Bookings and 1 Red Card so far in his Villa career. Rumours abound that Ayew had wanted a holiday. He would not return to the side until 1 March.

Joleon Lescott loses for the tenth time in sixteen league games in a Villa shirt on his 17th appearance for the club to make it W2 D5 L10, 1 Goal and 1 Booking so far in his Villa career.

Villa win for the second time in 5 Premier League games under Rémi Garde to deliver their best run of the season - 2 wins, 2 draws and 1 defeat.

Villa win  in the Premier League for the second time under Rémi Garde and for only the third time in 25 games this season. 

Villa remain bottom of the table under Rémi Garde but have closed the gap to safety to 8 points. 

Gabriel Agbonlahor scores his 85th goal in a Villa shirt on his 366th appearance (329 Starts) to make it W128 D102 L136, 85 Goals, 44 Assists, 47 Bookings and 1 Red Card so far in his Villa career.

Gabriel Agbonlahor’s strike - his first in twenty one games - means he has now scored in eleven consecutive Premier League seasons for Villa.

Idrissa Gueye makes his 25th appearance in a Villa shirt (24 Starts) to make it W4 D8 L13, 1 Goal and 4 Bookings so far in his Villa career.

Joleon Lescott wins for the second time in seventeen league games in a Villa shirt on his 18th appearance for the club to make it W3 D5 L10, 1 Goal and 1 Booking so far in his Villa career.

Villa lose for the 16th time in 26 Premier League games.

Villa suffer their heaviest defeat at Villa Park since losing 1-7 to Arsenal in December 1935 

This was only the second time Villa had conceded 6 at home since October 1983 (against Arsenal again in a 2-6 defeat). 

Villa have now 8 in 18 games under Rémi Garde and 17 in 32 this season.

Mark Bunn concedes his 10th goal in a Villa shirt on his 8th appearance to make it W3 D3 L2, 13 Goals Conceded, 3 Clean Sheets and 2 Bookings so far in his Villa career.

Jores Okore loses for the 20th time in a Villa shirt on his 44th appearance (40 Starts) to make it W13 D11 L20, 1 Goal and 7 Bookings. Okore would later be accused of match fixing at Aalborg Boldspilklub.

Micah Richards loses for the 15th time in a Villa shirt on just his 23rd appearance to make it W4 D4 L15, 2 Goals, 1 Assist and 3 Bookings so far in his Villa career. Richards' wins had come against newly promoted Bournemouth and lower League clubs Birmingham and Wycombe and fellow relegation candidates Norwich.

Idrissa Gueye makes his 25th start in a Villa shirt (26 Appearances) to make it W4 D8 L14, 1 Goal and 4 Bookings so far in his Villa career.

Joleon Lescott loses for the eleventh time in eighteen league games in a Villa shirt on his 19th appearance for the club to make it W3 D5 L11, 1 Goal and 1 Booking so far in his Villa career but finds time to tweet about his new car.

Villa lose for the 17th time in 27 Premier League games.

Villa lose for the 9th time in 19 under Rémi Garde and for the 18th time in 33 games this season.

Mark Bunn concedes his 15th goal in a Villa shirt on his 9th appearance to make it W3 D3 L3, 15 Goals Conceded, 3 Clean Sheets and 2 Bookings so far in his Villa career.

Idrissa Gueye collects his 5th booking in his 15th defeat in a Villa shirt on his 27th appearance (26 Starts) to make it W4 D8 L15, 1 Goal and 5 Bookings so far in his Villa career.

Joleon Lescott loses for the twelfth time in nineteen league games in a Villa shirt on his 20th appearance for the club to make it W3 D5 L12, 1 Goal and 1 Booking so far in his Villa career.

Villa lose for the 26th time in 36 Premier League games.

Eric Black loses his 5th successive game as caretaker manager.

Villa have now lost 27 of their last 42 games.

Villa equal their worst ever run of 11 consecutive league losses in a season set in 1962-63 under Joe Mercer. 

The 1962-63 team scored 5 and conceded 27 over their 11 game losing run. 

The 2015-16 team has also hit 5 but have conceded 32 - at a rate of almost 3 goals per game between 14 February 2016 and today to make this the worst ever League run in Villa’s long history.

Aly Cissokho is sent off on his 45th appearance in a Villa shirt on his (44 Starts) to make it W9 D9 L27, 4 Bookings and 1 Red Card so far in his Villa career.

Leandro Bacuna makes his 75th start in a Villa shirt (97 Appearances) to make it W27 D19 L51, 6 Goals, 6 Assists and 17 Bookings so far in his Villa career.

Rudy Gestede suffers his 25th defeat in a Villa shirt on his 36th appearance (18 Starts) to make it W3 D8 L25, 6 Goals, 3 Assists and 2 Bookings so far in his Villa career.

Ashley Westwood contributes his 17th goal involvement in a Villa shirt on his 137th appearance (131 Starts) to make it W37 D27 L73, 5 Goals, 12 Assists and 24 Bookings so far in his Villa career.

Ciaran Clark contributes his 15th goal involvement in a Villa shirt on his 159th appearance (143 Starts) to make it W48 D37 L74, 10 Goals, 5 Assists, 46 Bookings and 1 Red Card so far in his Villa career. Clark has now picked up a card every 3.38 games he has played.

Idrissa Gueye collects his 10th booking in a Villa shirt on his 36th appearance (35 Starts) to make it W4 D8 L24, 1 Goal, 1 Assist and 10 Bookings so far in his Villa career.

Joleon Lescott loses for the twentieth first time in twenty eight league games in a Villa shirt on his 29th appearance for the club to make it W3 D5 L21, 1 Goal and 2 Bookings so far in his Villa career.

Gabriel Agbonlahor resigns as Villa captain following an investigation into his off-field behaviour.

Villa gain their first  point since February as they manage to keep a rare clean sheet against fellow relegated side Newcastle.

Eric Black earns his first point as caretaker manager and Villa’s first in 12 matches to make it one point gained from a potential 36. 

Villa ended their joint worst ever run of consecutive league losses in a season.

Ciaran Clark makes his 160th and final appearance in a Villa shirt aged 26 before moving on to Newcastle United for a fee of £5,400,000 in August 2016. Clark made 160 appearances (144 Starts) over his 8 seasons with the club to leave with a record of W48 D38 L74, 10 Goals, 5 Assists, 47 Bookings and 1 Red Card. Across his Villa career Clark had picked up cards at the extraordinary rate of one every 3.33 games he had played.

Alan Hutton collects his 25th booking in a Villa shirt on his 99th appearance (92 Starts) to make it W18 D25 L56, 1 Goal, 4 Assists, 25 Bookings and 1 Red Card so far in his Villa career.

Joleon Lescott avoids defeat for only the eighth time in twenty nine league games in a Villa shirt on his 30th appearance for the club to make it W3 D6 L21, 1 Goal and 2 Bookings so far in his Villa career.

Off the pitch it is announced that Gabriel Agbonlahor will see out the remainder of the season in the reserves due to fitness and behaviour concerns in a telling sign of the utter turmoil and unprofessionalism that has infected the squad.

Villa lose for the 27 time in 38 Premier League games in 2015-16.

Eric Black loses his 6th game in 7 as caretaker manager.

Villa make it 28 in 44games this season. 

Villa record their lowest ever total of League points - regardless of the size of the division - at 17. 

Unsurprisingly the clear out of the rot gathers pace as, all things considered, possibly the worst signing in Villa’s history. 

Joleon Lescott, 33, makes his 31st and final appearance before being released by the club in August 2016. Lescott lost twenty two of his thirty Premier League games, winning just twice to leave with a pitiful record, on and off the pitch, of W3 D6 L22, 1 Goal and 2 Bookings.

Midfielder Idrissa Gueye, 26, loses his 25th game in a Villa shirt on his 38th and final appearance (37 Starts) 26 before moving on to Everton in August 2016 for a fee of £7,650,000. Villa had paid £8,100,000 to LOSC Lille for Gueye’s services just a year earlier and he left with a record of W4 D9 L25, 1 Goal, 1 Assist and 10 Bookings.

Midfielder Carlos Sánchez makes his 56th and final appearance in a Villa shirt (42 Starts) aged 30 before moving on to ACF Fiorentina in July 2017 for a fee of £2,700,000 - half the fee Villa paid to Elche CF for Sánchez to join in August 2014. Sánchez left with a record over his two seasons with Villa of W14 D14 L28, 1 Goal, 1 Assist, 10 Bookings and 1 Red Card.

Centre back Kevin Toner makes his 4th and final appearance for Villa (3 Starts) aged 19 before moving on to St. Patricks Athletic in January 2018. Toner made his debut in April 2016 after joining from Home Farm in July 2012 and left with a record of W0 D1 L3 and 1 Assist.

Scott Sinclair loses his 30th game in a Villa shirt on his 30th start on this his 45th and final appearance for the club. Sinclair was inexplicably signed on a permanent deal following an underwhelming loan spell and duly delivered on expectation with a record of W8 D7 L30 and 9 Goals with only 4 coming in League football in 36 appearances.

Jordan Ayew makes his 30th start in a Villa shirt (36 Appearances) to make it W5 D8 L23, 7 Goals, 7 Bookings and 1 Red Card so far in his Villa career.

Mark Bunn concedes his 20th goal in a Villa shirt on his 12th appearance to make it W3 D4 L5, 22 Goals Conceded, 4 Clean Sheets and 4 Bookings so far in his Villa career.

Micah Richards loses for the 20th time in a Villa shirt on just his 28th appearance (27 Starts) to make it W4 D4 L20, 2 Goals, 1 Assist and 3 Bookings so far in his Villa career. Richards' wins had come against newly promoted Bournemouth and lower League clubs Birmingham and Wycombe and fellow relegation candidates Norwich.

Villa make it two defeats from two in all competitions as questions are asked once again and suspicion abounds.

Villa’s earliest entry into the League Cup ever and consequently their earliest ever exit from the competition since its inauguration in 1960.

Mark Bunn concedes his 25th goal in a Villa shirt on his 13th appearance to make it W3 D4 L6, 25 Goals Conceded, 4 Clean Sheets and 4 Bookings so far in his Villa career.

Ross McCormack collects his first booking in a Villa shirt on his 2nd appearance to make it W0 D0 L2, 0 Goals, 0 Assists and 1 Booking so far in his Villa career.

Despite having refused to play for Villa again just 5 months earlier, troublesome centre back Jores Okore makes his 47th and final appearance for Villa (43 Starts) aged 24 before moving on to FC Copenhagen on a free transfer later this month. Villa had paid FC Nordsjaelland £4,230,000 for Okore’s services in July 2013 and following a controversy and injury ravaged spell across his 3 seasons with the club left with a record of W13 D11 L23, 1 Goal, 8 Bookings and 1 Own Goal. Okore's own goal came on what would prove to be his final appearance, with an easily avoidable error, that led to incredulity from his teammates during the match amd that attracted comment during and after the game as Villa fell to lower league opposition seemingly without a fight. Okore would later be accused of match fixing at Aalborg Boldspilklub.

Jordan Ayew suffers his 25th defeat in a Villa shirt on his 38th appearance (32 Starts) to make it W5 D8 L25, 8 Goals, 8 Bookings and 1 Red Card so far in his Villa career.

Villa, without a win in four Championship games, draw for the third time under Roberto Di Matteo and slump to 17th in the league. 

Centre forward Jonathan Kodjia makes his Villa debut aged 26 after joining from Bristol City for a fee of £11,610,000 in August 2016 to become the 896th player to play for Villa in first team League or Cup football.

Jordan Ayew contribute his first assists in a Villa shirt on his 43rd appearance (37 Starts) to make it W6 D11 L26, 8 Goals, 2 Assists, 11 Bookings and 1 Red Card so far in his Villa career.

Future Villa midfielder Henri Lansbury scored Forest’s 87’ equaliser whilst former Villa defender Eric Lichaj lines up for them.

Villa's awful start to life outside the top flight continues as their winless run stretches to 9 with defeat at Preston. 

Unlike the Lerner regime however the reaction of the owner is swift and Roberto Di Matteo is sacked just 12 games into his hopeless tenure.

Roberto Di Matteo presided over 1 win in 11 league games, 5 games with goal concessions after 85', 3 losses, 7 draws and the earliest League Cup exit in the club's history.  

Even following the appalling managerial appointments from 2010 to 2015 that was some record.

Di Matteo was a deeply underwhelming appointment with more than a whiff of Champions League glamour hiding a fundamentally weak approach.

Di Matteo never looked like he was the man to turn Villa around after a half decade of incompetence. 

In truth Di Matteo was not bold enough, too many of the abject 2015-16 squad remained and continued to play and influence the dressing room. Some of that was beyond Di Matteo’s control as even the most celebrated of managers would have struggled with the deadwood drifting around Villa Park however with money spent, results were limited and recruitment was questionable in the extreme. 

For every Jonathan Kodjia - although yet to spark under Di Matteo - James Chester and Tommy Elphick there was a Ross McCormack or even more bewilderingly an Aaron Tshibola. Di Matteo simply seemed out of his depth in every department and so it proved. 

Ashley Westwood collects his 25th booking on his 150th appearance in a Villa shirt (143 Starts) to make it W38 D35 L77, 5 Goals, 12 Assists and 25 Bookings so far in his Villa career.

James Chester makes his 10th appearance in a Villa shirt to make it W1 D7 L2 and 2 Bookings so far in his Villa career.

Former Villa midfielder Daniel Johnson and former Villa centre forward Callum Robinson lined up for Preston.

Roberto Di Matteo is sacked by Dr Tony Xia is sacked after a dismal 12 game spell as manager - the shortest managerial reign in Villa's history - during which time he recorded W1 D7 L5 at a rate of 0.83 points per game.

Villa bounce back from their second defeat in ten under Steve Bruce to secure a sixth win in eleven under the new boss.

Nathan Baker makes his 100th appearance in a Villa shirt (92 Starts) to make it W32 D21 L47, 13 Bookings and 1 Red Card so far in his Villa career.

Mark Bunn collects his 5th caution in a Villa shirt on his 16th appearance (15 Starts) to make it W4 D5 L7, 29 Goals Conceded, 5 Clean Sheets and 5 Bookings so far in his Villa career.

Jonathan Kodjia scores his 7th goal in eleven games to make it W6 D8 L3, 8 Goals and 3 Bookings so far in his Villa career.

Alan Hutton contributes his 5th assist in a Villa shirt on his 113th appearance (104 Starts) to make it W24 D28 L61, 1 Goal, 5 Assists, 28 Bookings and 1 Red Card so far in his Villa career.

Gary Gardner secures his 10th win in a Villa shirt on his 33rd appearance (17 Starts) to make it W10 D12 L11, 1 Goal and 2 Bookings so far in his Villa career.

Villa make it consecutive wins to record their seventh win in twelve Championship matches under Steve Bruce having managed just a single win in their previous twelve games under Roberto Di Matteo.

Villa face Burton Albion for the first time in competitive football, Burton become the 160th team that the Villa first team has played in League or Cup football.

Steve Bruce's Villa win successive Championship games for only the third time this season but they make it five home wins in a row for the first time since September 1998 under John Gregory. Villa rise to 10th in the table as a result.

Albert Adomah contributes his fifth assist in a Villa shirt on his 16th appearance (13 Starts) to make it W7 D6 L3, 1 Goal and 5 Assists so far in his Villa career.

Jack Grealish secures his 20th win in a Villa shirt on his 64th appearance (36 Starts) to make it W20 D11 L33, 4 Goals, 6 Assists, 7 Bookings and 1 Red Card so far in his Villa career.

Mark Bunn concedes his 30th goal in a Villa shirt on his 17th appearance (16 Starts) to make it W5 D5 L7, 30 Goals Conceded, 5 Clean Sheets and 5 Bookings so far in his Villa career.

Alan Hutton secures his 25th win in a Villa shirt on his 114th appearance (105 Starts) to make it W25 D28 L61, 1 Goal, 5 Assists, 28 Bookings and 1 Red Card so far in his Villa career.

Villa end 2016 in transformed form under Steve Bruce as they make it seven wins and three draws in thirteen Championship matches under the new boss. 

Steve Bruce's Villa end the year unbeaten in three as a late Jonathan Kodjia penalty secures a point against 4th placed Leeds, as a result Villa climb to 9th as Bruce's first thirteen games continue to show a significant improvement over Di Matteo's twelve match reign. 

Jordan Amavi makes his 25th start in a Villa shirt (31 Appearances) to make it W9 D9 L13, 4 Assists and 5 Bookings so far in his Villa career.

James Chester collects his 5th booking on his 23rd appearance in a Villa shirt to make it W9 D11 L4 and 6 Bookings so far in his Villa career.

Jordan Ayew, one of the poster boys of Villa's descent into the second tier, makes his final appearance in a Villa shirt, aged 25. Ayew left for Swansea in a swap deal that brought left back Neil Taylor to the club as well as £5,310,000. Villa had signed Ayew from FC Lorient in July 2015 for a fee of £10,800,000 and went on to make 58 appearances (48 Starts) to leave with a record of W11 D18 L29, 10 Goals, 4 Assists, 13 Bookings and 1 Red Card.

Rudy Gestede, one of the poster boys of Villa's appalling recruitment in the last half decade, makes his final appearance in a Villa shirt, aged 28. Gestede moved on to Middlesbrough for £6,390,000 having made 55 appearances, 29 as a substitute, in his two seasons with Villa to leave with a record of W9 D16 L30, 10 Goals, 4 Assists and 5 Bookings.

Villa open 2017 with a fourth defeat in fourteen under Steve Bruce as Neil Warnock's side take physicality to another level.

Ashley Westwood loses for the 80th time in a Villa shirt on his 150th start  (161 Appearances) to make it W42 D39 L80, 5 Goals, 12 Assists and 27 Bookings so far in his Villa career.

Ross McCormack makes his 20th appearance in a Villa shirt (13 Starts) to make it W7 D7 L6, 3 Goals, 1 Assist and 5 Bookings so far in his Villa career.

Villa end an excellent three-quarters of a season with defeat but it is of little import as fourth place and a first appearance in the play offs is already secured.

Mark Bunn concedes his 33rd goal in a Villa shirt on his 20th appearance (19 Starts) to make it W5 D6 L9, 33 Goals Conceded and 5 Clean Sheets so far in his Villa career.

Albert Adomah makes his 80th appearance in a Villa shirt (67 Starts) to make it W38 D18 L24, 18 Goals, 16 Assists and 2 Bookings so far in his Villa career.

Conor Hourihane makes his 60th appearance in a Villa shirt (55 Starts) to make it W30 D10 L20, 12 Goals, 5 Assists and 11 Bookings so far in his Villa career.

Villa need an injury time goal for the fourth time this season to rescue a result but now have just one win in nine as madness descends at Villa Park and Steve Bruce departs.

Bruce had led Villa for 102 games, finished 13th and 4th in the EFL Championship table and been Championship Play Off Runners Up in 2017-18. 

Having 4 games earlier said “I’ve always wanted to play two up top and for some reason here, it hasn’t really happened. We’ve got the personnel to do it, you’ve seen that tonight, those two [Abraham and Kodjia] will be a threat for anybody.” Steve Bruce elected to take both his centre forwards off by the 74’ with Villa leading 2-1. 

Preston soon capitalised and within 12 minutes had opened up a 3-2 lead. With both his penalty takers off the field it was left to Glenn Whelan to take the 97’ spot kick awarded for a foul on Birkir Bjarnason. Whelan (73 appearances, 2 goals) missed. 

James Chester is sent off on his 107th appearance to make it W45 D32 L30, 7 Goals, 1 Assist, 13 Bookings and 1 Red Card so far in his Villa career.

Birkir Bjarnason makes his 25th start in a Villa shirt (43 Appearances) to make it W23 D8 L12, 6 Goals, 3 Assists and 2 Bookings so far in his Villa career.

Goalkeeper Mark Bunn makes his 21st and final appearance for Villa (20 Starts) aged 33 before being released by the club in July 2019. On his return to the side for the first time in six months Bunn conceded 3 goals in a game with regular ‘keeper Ørjan Nyland on the bench. Nyland had conceded 14 goals in 13 games so far this season at a rate of 1.08 goals per game. It was these sort of decisions and the self absorbing commentary from him that ultimately cost Steve Bruce his job. Bunn left the club with a record of W5 D7 L9, 36 Goals Conceded, 5 Clean Sheets and 5 Bookings.

Jack Grealish collects his 20th booking in a Villa shirt on his 122nd Appearances (77 Starts) to make it W42 D27 L53, 9 Goals, 14 Assists, 20 Bookings and 2 Red Cards so far in his Villa career.

Steve Bruce is sacked by Villa following the Preston draw as his reign comes to a pitiful and humiliating end involving a red face and a cabbage. Bruce had steadied the ship after five years of rapid decline under Houllier, McLeish, Lambert, Sherwood, Garde and Di Matteo and would take Villa within 90 minutes of promotion in 2017-18 whilst navigating a financial crisis. Despite that, his time at Villa would fall apart in 2018 and he would leave with a decent second tier record of 102 Games W46 D25 L31 at a rate of 1.60 points per game.