Villa leave it late but open their second division championship challenge with a win.

Joe Mercer's Villa play their first game in the second tier for twenty two years following the previous season's relegation to win away at the Goldstone Ground. 

Meanwhile, wingers Jimmy Adam, 28, and Jimmy MacEwan, 30, made their Villa debuts after moving from Luton Town earlier this month and Raith Rovers in July 1959 respectively. MacEwan scored on his debut.

Whilst centre back Terry Morrall also made his first appearance for Villa aged 20 after joining from Church Rovers in 1953.

Villa lose out to a single goal at Sunderland to record their first defeat of the season. Bizarrely Sunderland's goalscorer and goalkeeper were playing with a broken leg and hand respectively.

Joe Mercer's Villa lose at Roker Park to make it one win and a defeat in division two so far this season. 

Meanwhile, full back John Neal made his Villa debut aged 27 after moving from Swindon Town in July 1959. 

Whilst, forward Jackie Sewell made his final appearance for Villa aged 32 before moving on to Hull City in October 1959. Sewell played for Villa between 1955-56 and 1959-60 making 146 appearances and scoring 40 goals.

Villa win their first home game of the season but the performance was far from convincing.

Joe Mercer's Villa bounce back from defeat at Sunderland to win their first home game of the season and make it two wins and a defeat in division two so far.

Villa get swift revenge over Cardiff for their Ninian Park defeat but the welshmen take it in the least sportmanlike fashion possible. Villa climb to 6th.

Joe Mercer's Villa return to Villa Park to face fellow promoted side Cardiff and continue their 100% home win record to make it four wins, all at home, a draw and three defeats, all away, in eight games following their return to the top flight.

Villa make it back to back wins as they beat 18th placed Manchester United with little difficulty.

Joe Mercer's Villa continue their 100% home win record to make it five wins, all at home, a draw and three defeats, all away, in nine games following their return to the top flight. As a result, Mercer has now won fifteen of the thirty seven games he has led Villa in division one, losing fifteen.

On paper another heavy defeat, and that was what the scoreline suggested, the reality was different however as Spurs, winning their 10th League game in a row, were taken all the way by Villa but nothing could match the superlative attacking skills of the North London side.

Joe Mercer's Villa lose on the road for the fourth time in five and have now suffered 2-5; 3-5; 1-4 and 2-6 defeats, conceding twenty whilst scoring eight. That form stands in stark contrast to Villa's 100% win record at home. As a result, Villa make it five wins, all at home, a draw and four defeats, all away, in ten games following their return to the top flight.

'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.

Villa cruise through their inaugural League Cup fixture with a straightforward win over second division Huddersfield.

Joe Mercer's Villa contest their first ever game in the League Cup and see off second division Huddersfield to progress to the third round.

The first half belongs to Arsenal, the second to Villa, but Arsenal score a late winner to send Villa to their first defeat in three.

Joe Mercer's Villa return to League action at Highbury and lose on the road for the fifth time in six and are defeated for the third time in the last four League games to make it six wins, all at home, a draw and six defeats, five away, in thirteen games following their return to the top flight. 

Meanwhile, centre back Terry Morrall made his final appearance for Villa aged 21 before moving on to Shrewsbury Town in May 1961. Morrall played for Villa in 1959-60 and 1960-61 making nine appearances.