Villa beat third placed Fulham and second placed Bristol Rovers once again don’t play to allow Villa to extend their lead at the top of the table to two points over new second placed side Preston, three points over Rovers and four over beaten opponents Fulham. In remarkable scenes at Villa Park Fulham are denied two plausible penalty appeals before Villa are awarded one which leads to Fulham’s Jimmy Dunne shoving the referee - who only receives a booking - before Fulham boss Bill Dodgin angrily remonstrates with the referee after the game despite Fulham’s rough house tactics having seen them commit 18 fouls in the first half alone.

Vic Crowe's League Cup finalists Villa make it fifteen wins, eight draws and five defeats in twenty eight division three games so far this season. As a result, Villa climb clear at the top of the table having collected 38 points. Second placed Preston North End however have a game in hand and are two points behind whilst Bristol Rovers, in third, are three points behind with two games in hand.