Villa do their part in beating third placed Boro to keep their quest for safety alive but once again Villa suffer with a poor refereeing performance as Vernon Batty refuses a penalty for a clear handling offence early in the second half. Such was the annoyance of Brian Godfrey that he hurled his fists in anger, missing the official as his team mates ushered him away. That incident however just delayed Villa’s second goal which came on 64’ as Godfrey channeled his anger to secure Villa a second win in four under Vic Crowe. As a result Villa lose the game to safety to two points with Charlton losing and Preston yet to play.

Vic Crowe's Villa make it one defeat in the last four games with two wins and a draw to keep their survival hopes alive to the final day of the season. Villa have now recorded three wins, four draws and eight defeats in Crowe's fifteen games in charge. As a result Villa make it seven wins, thirteen draws and twenty one defeats in forty one division two matches this season scoring 26 goals and conceding 62. Villa needed to win their final game and Preston North End (two games) and Charlton (one game) lose theirs for Villa to stay up on goal average.