Eric Houghton scores his seventh goal in ten games but Villa are held at Roker Park.

Villa have now dropped four points from their last three away matches as their form on the road proves the weakness of their title challenge.

Villa make it seven wins, two draws and a defeat in their first ten games of 1931-32 scoring TWENTY NINE goals, two behind Arsenal but the Gunners lose to Derby and allow Billy Smith's men to return to the top of the table.

Both Villa and Arsenal have 16 points from a possible 20 from their first 10 games with Villa scoring 29 and conceding 13 for a goal difference of +16 and more importantly a goal ratio of 2.23 compared to Arsenal's, 31, 16 + 15 and 1.94.

Up next for Villa is the visit of neighbours Birmingham as Villa look to win their sixth successive home game.