Villa lose the services of Jock Logan in the early minutes of the game after suffering a laceration to the ankle muscle. Although incapacitated and unable to contribute, Logan bravely stays on the pitch before being forced to retire at half time.

To make matters worse, with Villa down to 10 effective men, they concede the only goal of the game on 32' before a few minutes later losing Harry Hampton whose leg injury causes such pain that he's rendered unconscious.

For the remainder of the first half Villa play with Logan incapacitated and Hampton absent.

Villa commence the second half with nine men and despite the handicap continue to be the better side before midway through the second half Hampton gingerly returns and Villa can again field 10 men.

Villa's brave but unlucky fight is to no avail as they lose for the first time in four to make it eight wins, two draws and four defeats in their fourteen division one games so far this season.

Villa drop to joint 8th but are still just 3 points off the leaders with two games in hand on most of those above them in the table.