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Game #2641

Aston Villa

17-9-16, 43 PTS

Aston Villa.jpg

Saturday, 29 April 1961

9th (-)

Last 5: ๐ŸŸฉ ๐ŸŸฅ ๐ŸŸฅ ๐ŸŸจ ๐ŸŸฉ

GK Nigel Sims | ๐Ÿด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ |
FB John Neal | ๐Ÿด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ |
LB Charlie Aitken | ๐Ÿด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ณ๓ ฃ๓ ด๓ ฟ | ๐ŸŸข |
CB Jimmy Dugdale | ๐Ÿด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ |
M Alan Deakin | ๐Ÿด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ |
M Vic Crowe | ๐Ÿด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ท๓ ฌ๓ ณ๓ ฟ |
W Jimmy MacEwan | ๐Ÿด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ณ๓ ฃ๓ ด๓ ฟ |
W Harry Burrows | ๐Ÿด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | ๐Ÿ”ฅ |
CF Gerry Hitchens | ๐Ÿด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | โšฝ | โšฝ |
F Johnny Dixon | ๐Ÿด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | ๐Ÿ”ฅ | โšฝ | ๐Ÿš‘ | ๐Ÿ”ด |
CF Bobby Thomson | ๐Ÿด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ณ๓ ฃ๓ ด๓ ฟ | โšฝ |

Joe Mercer | ๐Ÿด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | 1958-1964
Aston Villa.jpg
Substitutes

No Substitutions permitted in period

Unused Substitutes

No Substitutions permitted in period

Yellow Cards (Warnings, Cautions, Bookings)

None

Red Cards (Ordered from Field of Play, Dismissals, Sendings Off)

None

Trophy Record

League Champions: ๐Ÿ†๐Ÿ†๐Ÿ†๐Ÿ†๐Ÿ† ๐Ÿ†
FA Cup Winners: ๐Ÿ†๐Ÿ†๐Ÿ†๐Ÿ†๐Ÿ† ๐Ÿ†๐Ÿ†
Last Trophy: 1956-57

Matchday Squad

Goalkeepers
GK Nigel Sims | ๐Ÿด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ |

Defenders
CB Jimmy Dugdale | ๐Ÿด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ |

Full Backs
FB John Neal | ๐Ÿด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ |
LB Charlie Aitken | ๐Ÿด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ณ๓ ฃ๓ ด๓ ฟ |

Midfielders
M Alan Deakin | ๐Ÿด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ |
M Vic Crowe | ๐Ÿด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ท๓ ฌ๓ ณ๓ ฟ |

Wingers
W Jimmy MacEwan | ๐Ÿด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ณ๓ ฃ๓ ด๓ ฟ |
W Harry Burrows | ๐Ÿด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ |

Forwards
CF Gerry Hitchens | ๐Ÿด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ |
F Johnny Dixon | ๐Ÿด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ |
CF Bobby Thomson | ๐Ÿด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ณ๓ ฃ๓ ด๓ ฟ |

Unavailable

Injury | 1 |
F Peter McParland | ๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ง |

Team News

Legendary Villa captain Johnny Dixon is poignantly handed his first start of the season for his final appearance as another future Villa great, Charlie Aitken, makes his debut.

John Neal also returns to the line up as Gordon Lee, Stan Lynn and Ron Wylie drop out.

Team Stats

Starting XI Average Age
| 26.93 |

Oldest Player |
F Johnny Dixon | ๐Ÿด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | 37.41 |

Youngest Player |
LB Charlie Aitken | ๐Ÿด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ณ๓ ฃ๓ ด๓ ฟ | 19.01 |

Debut Appearances

๐ŸŸข LB Charlie Aitken | ๐Ÿด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ณ๓ ฃ๓ ด๓ ฟ | #488 | Youth team promotion

Final Appearances

๐Ÿ”ด F Johnny Dixon | ๐Ÿด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | 1946-61 ๐Ÿ•’ 430 | โœ… 430 | ๐Ÿ” (-) | โšฝ 144 | ๐Ÿ”ฅ 64 | ๐Ÿ‡บ - | #396 |

Aston Villa.jpg

Won

4-1

๐ŸŸฉ 29 Apr 1961, Villa 4-1 Wednesday, Villa Park
Scorer(s) | Gerry Hitchens | 5' | 68' | Bobby Thomson | 27' | Johnny Dixon | 70' |

Assist(s) | Johnny Dixon | 5' | Harry Burrows | 27' |

Match Timeline

๐ŸŸข | 1' Debut, Charlie Aitken
โšฝ | 5' Goal, 1-0, Gerry Hitchens, Assist by Johnny Dixon
โšฝ | 27' Goal, 2-0, Bobby Thomson, Assist by Harry Burrows
๐Ÿฅ… | 42' Goal, 2-1, (Sheffield Wednesday), Billy Griffin
๐Ÿ•’ | HT Aston Villa 2-1 Sheffield Wednesday
โšฝ | 68' Goal, 3-1, Gerry Hitchens
โšฝ | 70' Goal, 4-1, Johnny Dixon
๐Ÿ’ฅ | 70' Pitch invasion celebrating Johnny Dixon's goal interrupts play
๐Ÿš‘ | 70' Player retires from field of play with injury, Johnny Dixon
๐Ÿš‘ | 72' Player returns to field of play, Johnny Dixon
๐Ÿ•’ | FT Aston Villa 4-1 Sheffield Wednesday

Season | 1960-61 |
Matchday | #56 |
League Match | #42 |
Manager Game | #131 |
Saturday, 29 April 1961

Aston Villa.jpg
Match Record
Game Record

Manager: Joe Mercer | ๐Ÿด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | Ellesmere Port, 1958-1964
Referee: J. S. McLoughlin | ๐Ÿด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | Manchester, 1955-1961
Kick off: 3.00pm
HT Score: ๐ŸŸฉ 2-1
FT Result: ๐ŸŸฉ Won
FT Score: ๐ŸŸฉ 4-1
Last 5: ๐ŸŸฉ ๐ŸŸฅ ๐ŸŸฅ ๐ŸŸจ ๐ŸŸฉ

Officials

Referee: J. S. McLoughlin | ๐Ÿด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | Manchester, 1955-1961
Linesmen: A. R. Walker; T. Smailes

Previous 5 vs. Wednesday: ๐ŸŸฅ ๐ŸŸฉ ๐ŸŸฉ ๐ŸŸฉ ๐ŸŸฉ

Aston Villa.jpg
Head to Head

Total ๐Ÿ•’ 84 | ๐ŸŸฉ W43 (51% ) | ๐ŸŸจ D8 | ๐Ÿ‡บ(61% ) | ๐ŸŸฅ L33 (39% ) | โšฝ 189 | ๐Ÿฅ… 150 | GD 39

Match Stats

Not recorded

Joe Mercer | ๐Ÿด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | 1958-1964

๐Ÿ•’ 128 | ๐ŸŸฉ | 61 ๐ŸŸจ 30 ๐ŸŸฅ 37 | 1.66

Villa Career Form:

Top 6

๐ŸŸฉ 12 Apr 2025, Villa 3-0 Southampton, St Mary's TBL.png

Division One

Sheffield Wednesday

23-12-7, 58 PTS

Aston Villa.jpg

Villa Park

Attendance: 26,034

GK Ron Springett | ๐Ÿด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ |
LB Don Megson | ๐Ÿด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ |
CB Peter Swan | ๐Ÿด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ |
RB Peter Johnson | ๐Ÿด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ |
M Tom McAnearney | ๐Ÿด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ณ๓ ฃ๓ ด๓ ฟ |
M Tony Kay | ๐Ÿด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ |
W Alan Finney | ๐Ÿด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ |
F Billy Griffin | ๐Ÿด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | โšฝ |
F Johnny Fantham | ๐Ÿด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ |
F Bobby Craig | ๐Ÿด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ณ๓ ฃ๓ ด๓ ฟ |
CF Keith Ellis | ๐Ÿด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ |

Harry Catterick | ๐Ÿด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ |
Aston Villa.jpg
Substitutes

No Substitutions Permitted in Period

Unused Substitutes

No Substitutions Permitted in Period

Yellow Cards (Warnings, Cautions, Bookings)

None

Red Cards (Ordered from Field of Play, Dismissals, Sendings Off)

None

Opposition Trophy Record

League Champions: ๐Ÿ†๐Ÿ†๐Ÿ†๐Ÿ†
FA Cup Winners: ๐Ÿ†๐Ÿ†๐Ÿ†
Last Trophy: 1934โ€“35

Opposition Matchday Squad

Goalkeepers
GK Ron Springett | ๐Ÿด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ |

Defenders
CB Peter Swan | ๐Ÿด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ |

Full Backs
LB Don Megson | ๐Ÿด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ |
RB Peter Johnson | ๐Ÿด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ |

Midfielders
M Tom McAnearney | ๐Ÿด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ณ๓ ฃ๓ ด๓ ฟ |
M Tony Kay | ๐Ÿด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ |

Wingers
W Alan Finney | ๐Ÿด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ |

Forwards
F Billy Griffin | ๐Ÿด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ |
F Johnny Fantham | ๐Ÿด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ |
F Bobby Craig | ๐Ÿด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ณ๓ ฃ๓ ด๓ ฟ |
CF Keith Ellis | ๐Ÿด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ |

Opposition Unavailable

Not Recorded

๐ŸŸฉ 12 Apr 2025, Villa 3-0 Southampton, St Mary's TBL.png
Aston Villa.jpg
Starting XI
GK Nigel Sims | ๐Ÿด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ |
๐Ÿ•’

231

โœ…

231

โšฝ
๐Ÿ”ฅ

0

2

๐ŸŸฉ

101

๐ŸŸจ

55

๐ŸŸฅ

75

โ›”

54

๐Ÿฅ…

355

LB Charlie Aitken | ๐Ÿด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ณ๓ ฃ๓ ด๓ ฟ |
๐Ÿ•’

1

โœ…

1

โšฝ
๐Ÿ”ฅ

0

0

๐ŸŸฉ

1

๐ŸŸจ

0

๐ŸŸฅ

0

CB Jimmy Dugdale | ๐Ÿด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ |
๐Ÿ•’

244

โœ…

244

โšฝ
๐Ÿ”ฅ

3

1

๐ŸŸฉ

103

๐ŸŸจ

63

๐ŸŸฅ

78

FB John Neal | ๐Ÿด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ |
๐Ÿ•’

93

โœ…

93

โšฝ
๐Ÿ”ฅ

0

0

๐ŸŸฉ

47

๐ŸŸจ

22

๐ŸŸฅ

24

M Alan Deakin | ๐Ÿด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ |
๐Ÿ•’

32

โœ…

32

โšฝ
๐Ÿ”ฅ

1

1

๐ŸŸฉ

11

๐ŸŸจ

10

๐ŸŸฅ

11

M Vic Crowe | ๐Ÿด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ท๓ ฌ๓ ณ๓ ฟ |
๐Ÿ•’

228

โœ…

228

โšฝ
๐Ÿ”ฅ

6

12

๐ŸŸฉ

93

๐ŸŸจ

53

๐ŸŸฅ

82

W Jimmy MacEwan | ๐Ÿด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ณ๓ ฃ๓ ด๓ ฟ
๐Ÿ•’

83

โœ…

83

โšฝ
๐Ÿ”ฅ

15

29

๐ŸŸฉ

43

๐ŸŸจ

23

๐ŸŸฅ

17

W Harry Burrows | ๐Ÿด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ |
๐Ÿ•’

16

โœ…

16

โšฝ
๐Ÿ”ฅ

4

7

๐ŸŸฉ

9

๐ŸŸจ

1

๐ŸŸฅ

6

F Johnny Dixon | ๐Ÿด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ |
๐Ÿ•’

430

โœ…

430

โšฝ
๐Ÿ”ฅ

144

64

๐ŸŸฉ

165

๐ŸŸจ

109

๐ŸŸฅ

156

CF Gerry Hitchens | ๐Ÿด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ |
๐Ÿ•’

159

โœ…

159

โšฝ
๐Ÿ”ฅ

95

31

๐ŸŸฉ

74

๐ŸŸจ

34

๐ŸŸฅ

51

CF Bobby Thomson | ๐Ÿด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ณ๓ ฃ๓ ด๓ ฟ |
๐Ÿ•’

91

โœ…

91

โšฝ
๐Ÿ”ฅ

40

18

๐ŸŸฉ

46

๐ŸŸจ

23

๐ŸŸฅ

22

Substitutes
None
๐Ÿ•’

๐Ÿ”

โšฝ
๐Ÿ”ฅ

GK Sub

๐ŸŸฉ

๐ŸŸจ

๐ŸŸฅ

โ›”

๐Ÿฅ…

๐Ÿ•’

๐Ÿ”

โšฝ
๐Ÿ”ฅ

Sub 1

๐ŸŸฉ

๐ŸŸจ

๐ŸŸฅ

๐Ÿ•’

๐Ÿ”

โšฝ
๐Ÿ”ฅ

Sub 2

๐ŸŸฉ

๐ŸŸจ

๐ŸŸฅ

๐Ÿ•’

๐Ÿ”

โšฝ
๐Ÿ”ฅ

Sub 3

๐ŸŸฉ

๐ŸŸจ

๐ŸŸฅ

๐Ÿ•’

๐Ÿ”

โšฝ
๐Ÿ”ฅ

Sub 4

๐ŸŸฉ

๐ŸŸจ

๐ŸŸฅ

๐Ÿ•’

๐Ÿ”

โšฝ
๐Ÿ”ฅ

Sub 5

๐ŸŸฉ

๐ŸŸจ

๐ŸŸฅ

Match Media
On This Day
  • Incredible scenes at Villa Park as Joe Mercer names Villa great in Johnny Dixon who proceeds to create a goal in 5 minutes, score himself and cause a mass pitch invasion in celebration. Villa could have lost 0-10 and it would still be one of the greatest occasions in the club's illistrious history. Villa end the League season 9th with just one more scheduled game left to play - the League Cup semi final replay in three days time.

  • Joe Mercer's Villa's play their twelfth game in thirty six days to make it seventeen wins, nine draws and sixteen defeats in forty two games following their return to the top flight. Villaโ€™s first season back in division one after a season away was an unqualified success and a typical Mercer campaign with a series of excellent runs occasionally punctured by losing form. The season still promised more as further games remained as Villa were still competing in the inaugural League Cup whose addition to the calendar had caused significant fixture congestion that Mercerโ€™s men admirably dealt with. A ninth placed finish on their return to the top flight was no mean feat but it also signalled the end of one of the greatest ever Villa players. Legendary Villa captain, Johnny Dixon, made his only appearance of the season and final appearance for Villa aged 37. Dixon had distinguished himself thought his playing career with Villa that spanned from 1945-46 to 1960-61 during which time he made 437 appearances whilst scoring 144 goals, and winning the 1957 FA Cup. As one legend departed the field however another entered as left back Charlie Aitken made his Villa debut aged 19 after moving from Edinburgh Thistle in August 1959.

What they Said

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