Villa leave the worst till last, promoted as champions they put on little effort in this end of season showing and to be honest who could blame them... top of the division for practically the whole season, only undone temporarily by adjusted priorities as they navigated their third FA Cup semi final in four seasons... there is little doubt that Villa were the pre-eminent second division team of 1959-60 and not only deserved their promotion but also an off day. Meanwhile, Cardiff can only draw to leave Villa in first, one point ahead of their rivals, who though less taxed throughout the season, deserve credit for keeping Villa close to the end.

Joe Mercer's Champions Villa lose their final game of the season but it hardly matters as they make it twenty five wins, nine draws and eight defeats, seven away, in forty two division two games. Villa under Mercer had delivered an excellent season and after a fallow period were once again in the ascendancy. A season featuring outstanding form, entertainment and some spectacular results ended with well deserved promotion and the second division title. Along the way Villa had also reached the FA Cup semi finals, sweeping aside three top tier sides, to put Mercer and Villa right back at the top of the footballing map.