Villa end the season on 37 points, level with Sunderland and in 16th place courtesy of an inferior goal difference. An eight game unbeaten run had transformed a position that had seemed so hopeless even in March as Dick Taylor struggled so badly in his first season in management.

Huge question marks remained over the Villa boss but for now there were wild celebrations throughout B6 as 'lowly' Villa finished above the mighty, trophyless, Leicester. How could that be?

Dick Taylor's Villa end the season unbeaten in eight League games, winning five - easily their best run of an otherwise poor season - and make it sixteen wins, five draws and twenty one defeats in forty two division one matches this season. Villa’s best run of the season stood in stark contrast to their form prior to April but better late than never the end of season run secured their top flight status in an otherwise disappointing season under Dick Taylor save for a Cup run highlighted by the sound beating of lower division opposition.