Villa win and Fulham lose as Tommy Docherty’s new charges climb to joint 18th in the table but remain in the relegation places on goal average. 

Docherty proves ‘tactics Tommy’ to predecessor Cummings’ ‘timid Tommy’ and unconditionally grants a transfer request for want away ‘keeper Withers whilst reinstating goalscorer Barrie Hole. 

Villa’s victory was all the more impressive as Norwich arrived at Villa Park with the best away record in the division.

Tommy Docherty wins his first game in charge as Villa now have four wins in the last twenty nine games and make it four wins, eight draws and twelve defeats in twenty four division two games so far this season. 

Earlier in the day however, deposed Villa #1 Colin Withers’ transfer request was granted by Docherty whilst Barrie Hole, who had not featured since a bust up with caretaker manager Arthur Cox in November and subsequent suspension, returned to the team for Docherty’s debut. 

Meanwhile, forward John Woodward made his final Villa appearance as a substitute before moving on to Walsall in May 1969. Woodward played for Villa between 1966-67 and 1968-69 making 29 appearances and scoring 8 goals.