Villa lose their final game of the season to leave them with just two wins in their last ten under Tommy Docherty after their form dramatically collapsed from the seven wins in the first nine second division matches under the new boss. As a result Villa slump to 18th in the table having been 22nd when Docherty took over. The first ten games of his reign had delivered a remarkable upturn in fortunes, but the following ten saw a significant fall off in form and application and an increasingly irascible Docherty who appeared to be less in control of his charges than would be hoped. There remained optimism however ahead of the new season but the question needed to be asked … which version of Docherty would be leading Villa in 1969-70? Two wins in ten would see Villa relegated, seven wins in ten would see them promoted. There was no in between with Docherty.

Tommy Docherty's Villa end the season with just two wins in the final ten games as momentum for the new season and hopes of a tilt at promotion are a far cry from the early tenure promise that nine wins in thirteen in all competitions under Docherty's stewardship had showed. Indeed, despite being as high as 13th, Villa finished 18th in Division Two - their lowest ever league position. Boundless self confidence and self promotion, an alarming tendency to change team selection, a defensive style, a penchant for time wasting tactics and a booking count that began to precede them wherever they went, Docherty and Villa were no League winners, but the results, often ground out had done the trick and prevented a first relegation to the third tier. Significant personnel and style changes were needed however if Villa’s climb back up the table was to begin in 1969-70. Meanwhile, 17 year old midfielder John Griffiths made his Villa debut after joining from school football in October 1966. Whilst, full back Barry Lynch also made his Villa debut aged 17 after moving from Cross Castle FC in June 1967. Forward Peter Broadbent however made his final Villa appearance aged 35 before moving on to Stockport County in October 1969. Broadbent played for Villa between 1966-67 and 1968-69 making 67 appearances and scoring twice.

Villa lose at the Valley in the FA Cup third round replay with Charlton as future Villa forward Harry Gregory scores the only goal of the game.

Tommy Docherty's Villa lose to second division Charlton in the FA Cup third round replay at the Valley,

Villa return to League action and concede five at home to Portsmouth to leave them four points from safety at the bottom of the table but with a game in hand on third from bottom Preston. 

Villa’s latest defeat - their thirteenth in twenty six games - proves to be Tommy Docherty’s final game in charge. 

Docherty had spent £350,000, had made increasingly outlandish claims as to his and Villa’s imminent success, had continued his self publicising ways, had ostracised essential squad quality but many fans continued to idolise someone who had delivered just four wins and who was clearly unable to rectify his shortcomings from the very first games of the season. 

Only inactivity of the equally culpable Herbert Douglas Ellis and the honeymoon period for the ‘new’ board allowed the unfolding disaster to continue past the obvious point of action. 

Yet still the media called it a “shock” as did the unrepentant Docherty himself. 

Tommy Docherty's terrible season continues as Villa lose for a fourth time in the last five League games to make it four wins, nine draws and thirteen defeats in twenty six division two matches. Villa’s latest reverse saw them rooted to the bottom of the Division Two table having conceded 36 and scoring only 19 goals. 

Meanwhile, defender Dick Edwards made his final appearance for Villa aged 27 before moving on to Torquay United in June 1970. Edwards played for Villa between 1967-68 and 1969-70 making 77 appearances, scoring twice. 

Full back Barry Lynch made his third and final appearance for Villa aged 18 before moving on to Atlanta Chiefs in the summer of 1971. --- Monday, 19 January 1970 

Manager Tommy Docherty and first team trainer-coach Arthur Cox were sacked by Villa after presiding over an appalling season of football leaving the club facing almost certain relegation to the third tier. --- 

Friday, 23 January 1970 Following similar behaviour earlier in his Villa career, full back Mick Wright declares he will no longer play for the club in the wake of the Docherty sacking. 

“Ellis must go” chants reverberate around a Villa Park reserve match as supporters point the finger of blame at upstart Chairman Herbert Douglas Ellis. --- 

Monday, 26 January 1970 Former Villa wing half Vic Crowe is appointed manager of Villa having acted as caretaker in the week since Tommy Docherty’s sacking after stepping up from his position as second team coach.