Villa open the season with defeat at Bramall Lane as they fall three behind within thirty minutes before they stem the flow and manage a late consolation from the penalty spot.

Tommy Cummings' Villa open the season with defeat at Bramall Lane and were now without a win in the last five matches under his stewardship, losing three. 

Meanwhile, midfielder Mike Ferguson made his Villa debut aged 25 after moving from Blackburn Rovers in May 1968 for a fee of £55,000

Villa need a late equaliser from John Woodward to avoid a second successive defeat after conceding an early goal to Fulham. Tommy Cummings’ side sit joint 16th after two second division games.

Tommy Cummings' Villa draw their first home game of the season and are now without a win in six matches.

Villa concede a last minute free kick to Millwall that ‘keeper Colin Withers can’t hold and the ball bounces off a post to gift the visitors the equaliser. It was hard lines on Withers and Villa who had pulled off some strong saves and played their best football of the season to date. Nevertheless the result leaves Tommy Cummings’ side winless after three second division games.

Tommy Cummings' Villa draw for the second home game in succession and are now without a win in seven matches after conceding a last gasp equaliser.

Another mixed goalkeeping performance from Colin Withers with excellence interspersed with two goal conceding mistakes. Villa lose for the second time in four winless games under Tommy Cummings to sit 17th in the table.

Tommy Cummings' Villa fail to score for the first time this season and have now gone eight games without a win as they make it two draws and two defeats in four division two games. 

Meanwhile, midfielder John Chambers made his Villa debut aged 18 after joining from school football in 1965.

Villa beat the "heavies" of Bristol City to win their first game of the season under Tommy Cummings thanks to John Woodward's second goal of the campaign. Villa climb to 14th.

Tommy Cummings' Villa win for the first time in nine games to make it a win, two draws and two defeats in five division two games so far this season.

Blackpool win at Villa Park for the first time in 15 years as Villa are slow-handclapped by the crowd amid another poor performance. Villa fall back to 19th in the table with little sign of an upturn in fortunes under Tommy Cummings.

Tommy Cummings' Villa fail to score for the second time this season and now have just a single win in the last ten games to make it a win, two draws and three defeats in six division two games so far this season.

Villa dominate first division Tottenham in the second round of the League Cup for much of the game. But a Martin Chivers hat-trick puts paid to any hopes of a morale boosting win for Tommy Cummings’ struggling side. In an exciting game, Villa hit the woodwork four times to Tottenham’s three and Pat Jennings had to make four excellent saves to keep Villa at bay but Spurs kept hitting Villa on the break to run out victorious.

Tommy Cummings' Villa now have just a single win in the last eleven games as they lose to top flight Tottenham in the League Cup.

Villa lose a third successive game in all competitions to remain 19th in the table after seven matches with only a late Mick Ferguson consolation to show for their efforts.

Tommy Cummings' Villa now have just a single win in the last twelve games to make it a win, two draws and four defeats in seven division two games so far this season.

A poor performance enlightened by a rare goalscoring attack just after half time is decried as a “dismal display” with only “Edwards, Ferguson and the full backs” deserving credit. Villa remain 19th.

Tommy Cummings' Villa now have just a single win in the last thirteen games as they make it a win, three draws and four defeats in eight division two games so far this season. Meanwhile, Barrie Hole made his Villa debut, aged 26, after moving from Blackburn Rovers for a club record fee of £65,000 earlier this month.

Villa are well beaten at Burnden as they concede three or more in the League foe the third time in nine games and remain 19th in the table. Up next is the side one below them in the table - neighbours Birmingham.

Tommy Cummings' Villa now have just a single win in the last fourteen games as they make it a win, three draws and five defeats in nine division two games so far this season.

Villa concede three or more goals for the fourth time in ten league games as they are handed a second gold lesson in taking chances by fellow strugglers and neighbours Birmingham. Villa, having weathered a rain of stones into their penalty area, have two cleared off the line and become the first side to fail to score against Birmingham this season to fall to 21st in the second division.

Tommy Cummings' Villa now have just a single win in the last fifteen games as they make it a win, three draws and six defeats in ten division two games so far this season. Meanwhile, Goalkeeper Colin Withers made his final Villa appearance aged 28 before moving on to Lincoln City in June 1969. Withers played for Villa between 1964-65 and 1968-69 making 163 appearances.

Villa win for the first time in six second division games as Barrie Hole scores his first for the club but remain 21st in the table and one point of safety.

Villa face Oxford United for the first time in competitive football, Oxford become the 94th team that the Villa first team has played in League or Cup football.

Tommy Cummings' Villa now have two wins in the last sixteen games as they make it two wins, three draws and six defeats in eleven division two games so far this season.

Villa save waves of Bristol attacks as John Dunn puts in an excellent goalkeeping performance but Villa are hamstrung throughout by a 12’ injury suffered by the returning Mike Ferguson who eventually limps off with 10 minutes remaining. Villa with eight men regularly behind the ball hold out until 70’ before conceding and lose for the first time in three second division games.

Tommy Cummings' Villa now have just two wins in the last eighteen games as they make it two wins, four draws and seven defeats in thirteen division two games so far this season.

Bottom three sides Villa, Carlisle and Fulham all suffer goalless draws to leave Fulham bottom, Villa second from bottom on goal average from third from bottom Oxford as Carlisle climb a point clear in 19th.

Tommy Cummings' Villa now have just two wins in the last twenty one games as they make it two wins, seven draws and seven defeats in sixteen division two games so far this season.

Villa take a third minute lead in an away game for the second successive time but despite holding on to half time with a slim advantage they concede three second half goals to top six side Huddersfield to remain 21st in the table, one point from safety having played one more game than those around them.

Tommy Cummings' Villa now have just two wins in the last twenty two games as they make it two wins, seven draws and eight defeats in seventeen division two games so far this season.

Villa slump to bottom of the table on goal average, two points off safety, amidst mass protests at the board in their defeat to mid table Preston. The game proves to be the last in a torrid spell under Tommy Cummings, who for all his shortcomings, is seen as the scapegoat for an out of touch and debilitating board. As ever in football things however aren’t mutually exclusive, sadly for Villa they have had an incompetent board and incompetent management team combine to take them to the brink of the third tier. The board’s answer is to promote 30 year old coach Arthur Cox to take over from Tommy Cummings; Cox’s immediate action is to ostracise a crucial player.

Tommy Cummings' Villa now have just two wins in the last twenty three games as they make it two wins, seven draws and nine defeats in eighteen division two games so far this season. --- Monday, 11 November 1968 Cummings’ and his assistant Malcolm Musgrove were relieved of their managerial duties following this latest reverse by a delegation of seven Villa directors.

Villa lose to mid table Portsmouth in Arthur Cox’s first game in charge to leave them bottom of the table, three points from safety.

Arthur Cox opens his caretaker spell with a defeat, as a result Villa now have just two wins in the last twenty four games and make it two wins, seven draws and ten defeats in nineteen division two games so far this season.

Villa beat top six side Boro thanks to an own goal to win for only the third time in twenty second division games but Fulham also win to leave Arthur Cox’s side bottom of the table on goal average but having closed the gap to safety to a single point. But behind the scenes troubles rage with claim and counter claim over the future of the board and club.

Arthur Cox records a rare win in only the second game of his caretaker spell, Villa's first in nine games, as a result Villa now have three wins in the last twenty five games and make it three wins, seven draws and ten defeats in twenty division two games so far this season.

Villa lose to Bury, one point ahead of Arthur Cox’s side at the start of play, to make bottom spot of the second division their own with thirteen points from twenty one games. Bury’s third is a 40 yard shot with the ‘keeper off his line, so at least there was something to remember. Behind the scenes machinations continue over the ownership and direction of the club with a telephone directory full of 'local industrialists' are linked yet there are no genuine signs of willingness to change from the existing board.

Arthur Cox's second game victory proves a false dawn as Villa now have just three wins in the last twenty six games and make it three wins, seven draws and eleven defeats in twenty one division two games so far this season.

Arthur Cox's caretaker spell continues as Villa now have just three wins in the last twenty seven games and make it three wins, eight draws and eleven defeats in twenty two division two games so far this season. 

Villa remain bottom of the table on goal average being Fulham and are now two points from safety after drawing with top six side Charlton. 

Meanwhile the boardroom battle rumbles on with missed deadlines aplenty and little clarity other than ongoing stasis until over a month after the sacking of Tommy Cummings the much derided board, ahead of the following weekend's game, agrees to resign.

Meanwhile, Brian Greenhalgh made his final Villa appearance aged just 21 before moving on to Leicester City in February 1969. Greenhalgh played for Villa between 1967-68 and 1968-69 making 40 appearances and scoring 12 goals.

There is no change at the bottom of the table as Villa and Fulham both lose to remain two points from safety. 

Meanwhile the self styled saviours of Villa, led by Pat Matthews, seem to promise a future of controversy as directorships are allegedly offered around in exchange for investment. This leads to suggestions of uncertainty over the capital claimed to have been available in the ‘take-over’. One such ‘invited’ party is a travel agent and Birmingham City director named Herbert Douglas Ellis who confirms he will be Chairman. Meanwhile Matthews is accused of intending to parachute in a manager, Tommy Docherty, without the usual process.

Arthur Cox's caretaker spell ends as Villa now have just three wins in the last twenty eight games and make it three wins, eight draws and twelve defeats in twenty three division two games so far this season. 

Meanwhile, midfielder John Chambers made his second and final appearance aged 19 before moving on to Southend United in July 1969. --- Wednesday, 18 December 1968 Tommy Docherty is announced as the new Villa manager.

Villa win and Fulham lose as Tommy Docherty’s new charges climb to joint 18th in the table but remain in the relegation places on goal average. 

Docherty proves ‘tactics Tommy’ to predecessor Cummings’ ‘timid Tommy’ and unconditionally grants a transfer request for want away ‘keeper Withers whilst reinstating goalscorer Barrie Hole. 

Villa’s victory was all the more impressive as Norwich arrived at Villa Park with the best away record in the division.

Tommy Docherty wins his first game in charge as Villa now have four wins in the last twenty nine games and make it four wins, eight draws and twelve defeats in twenty four division two games so far this season. 

Earlier in the day however, deposed Villa #1 Colin Withers’ transfer request was granted by Docherty whilst Barrie Hole, who had not featured since a bust up with caretaker manager Arthur Cox in November and subsequent suspension, returned to the team for Docherty’s debut. 

Meanwhile, forward John Woodward made his final Villa appearance as a substitute before moving on to Walsall in May 1969. Woodward played for Villa between 1966-67 and 1968-69 making 29 appearances and scoring 8 goals.

Villa beat second placed Cardiff in Tommy Docherty’s second game in charge as the recalled Barrie Hole scores for the second successive match and new-boy Brian Tiler, signed by Docherty the previous Monday, scores on debut. 

For good measure Willie Anderson, dropped by former boss Tommy Cummings, continues his rehabilitation under Docherty with his second assist in two games.

Tommy Docherty makes it two wins in two as Villa now have five wins in the last thirty games and make it five wins, eight draws and twelve defeats in twenty five division two games so far this season. 

Villa win consecutive games for the first time this season - a feat witnessed by the highest gate in the second division this season. 

Meanwhile, centre back Brian Tiler made a goalscoring debut aged 25 after moving from Rotherham United for a free of £33,000 on Monday.

Villa and Willie Anderson’s renaissance grows under Tommy Docherty as the new boss records a third successive victory, this time over mid table Carlisle and Villa’s first away win of the season, and in so doing climb to four points clear of the relegation places although they have played two games more than second from bottom Oxford. Bob Stokoe though is far from impressed.

Tommy Docherty makes it three wins in three since taking over as Villa boss who now have six wins in the last thirty one games and make it six wins, eight draws and twelve defeats in twenty six division two games so far this season. 

Villa win three consecutive games for the first time this season and Docherty has now won as many games in the last three fixtures as Tommy Cummings and Arthur Cox had managed in twenty four games. 

Meanwhile, midfielder Tommy Mitchinson made his final appearance for Villa aged 25 before moving on to Torquay United in May 1969. Mitchinson played for Villa in 1967-68 and 1968-69 making 52 appearances and scoring 9 goals.

Tommy Docherty’s touch continues as Villa win in the third round of the FA Cup against his former club QPR amidst further complaints about the uncompromising style Villa have adopted under his stewardship.

Tommy Docherty's Villa open 1969 seemingly a team transformed as they win a fourth successive game by beating top flight side Queens Park Rangers in the third round of the FA Cup.

Villa make 18th place their own, six points clear of the relegation places, after Tommy Docherty delivers a fourth successive League win to transform a side cut adrift at the bottom just five second division games previously. 

Barrie Hole repays Docherty’s faith with his latest goal to beat mid table Huddersfield but Villa end the game with ten men after Charlie Aitken is carried off with a damaged blood vessel in his chest.

Tommy Docherty makes it five wins in five since taking over as Villa boss who now have seven wins, eight draws and twelve defeats in twenty seven division two games so far this season. Villa win five consecutive games for the first time this season as they climb from from 22nd and bottom of the table under Tommy Cummings to 18th.

Tommy Docherty's Villa lose for the first time under his stewardship and the first time in six games after conceding a goal in the 90'+5 minute as his controversial time-wasting tactics come back to haunt them. 

As a result of the reverse, Villa make it seven wins, eight draws and thirteen defeats in twenty eight division two games so far this season and are still deep in relegation trouble.

Villa secure their 16th point in ten second division matches as they draw with promotion chasing Middlesbrough to make it seven wins in ten League games under Tommy Docherty. 

Tommy Docherty's Villa now have one League defeat in ten matches and seven wins under his stewardship to make it ten wins, ten draws and thirteen defeats in thirty three division two games so far this season.

Villa climb to joint 11th in the table but can only draw with bottom of the pile Fulham. Villa though have seven wins in eleven second division matches under Tommy Docherty having been in Fulham’s position when the Scot took over.

Tommy Docherty's Villa now have one League defeat in eleven matches and seven wins under his stewardship to make it ten wins, eleven draws and thirteen defeats in thirty four division two games so far this season.

Villa failed to win for the first time in nine home games and draw for the third successive League game to leave them with seven wins in twelve second division matches under Tommy Docherty and just one defeat. As a result Villa miss out on a top ten position and remain joint eleventh alongside their opponents nine points clear of the relegation places.

Tommy Docherty's Villa now have one League defeat in twelve matches and seven wins under his stewardship but have now not won in three to make it ten wins, twelve draws and thirteen defeats in thirty five division two games so far this season. As a result Villa had now risen to 13th in Division Two having been adrift at the bottom in 22nd place when Docherty took over in December 1968.

Villa can only draw with fourth from bottom Bolton to leave them with one win in eight under Tommy Docherty and the early hope of his reign fast disappearing as both boss and team appear to be losing their way.

Tommy Docherty's Villa now have just one win in their last eight games to make it eleven wins, fourteen draws and fifteen defeats in forty division two games so far this season.