Sometimes in life itโ€™s inevitable that you back the proverbial wrong horse, to do it repeatedly takes some doing but โ€˜supporter shareholdersโ€™ Dennis Barrett and Ken Dykes took it to new levels. 

Not content with backing the coup that brought the disaster of Herbert Douglas Ellis into power in 1968, they then petitioned to keep Tommy Docherty in post at the beginning of 1970 despite his reign having taken Villa to the brink of the third tier for the first time in history. 

Now though Barrett and Dykes saw fit to go one better and attempt to oust Vic Crowe and Ron Wylie from their posts. 

It hadnโ€™t been a vintage season but a first season back in the second tier after two in the third was never likely to be a runaway success - especially after the latest coup of 1972 brought the parsimonious Ellis back to the chairmanship - but that was no barrier to the โ€œexperienced petitioners.โ€ 

It failed of course and deservedly the pair became a figure of folly but when even Herbert Douglas Ellis asks you to stop for the sake of the club you really should know you are very, very much in the wrong. 

Meanwhile, Villa win for the first time in five to remain joint fifth with Fulham, eight points off second place.

Vic Crowe's Villa win for the first time in five to make it fourteen wins, eleven draws and eight defeats in thirty three League games. Meanwhile, left back Bobby McDonald made his Villa debut aged 17 after joining from school football in June 1970.

Villa are held by a late goal at Ayresome Park but climb to 4th in the table, nine points off QPR in second place and twelve behind leaders Burnley. On the terraces however a few Villa fans embarrass themselves with a needless petition to remove boss Vic Crowe.

Vic Crowe's Villa make it fourteen wins, twelve draws and eight defeats in thirty four League games. Meanwhile, John Hickton became the first substitute to score against Villa.

Depleted Villa are well beaten at Ashton Gate as they remain nine points off second and the final promotion place.

Vic Crowe's Villa lose heavily at Bristol City and have Alun Evans sent off as they make it fourteen wins, twelve draws and nine defeats in thirty five League games.

Villa, playing their third game in four days, extend their unbeaten League run to six, winning for the fourth time to remain third in the table.

Vic Crowe's Villa make it six unbeaten to make it eighteen wins, fourteen draws and nine defeats in forty one League games.

Villa end their run of four months without a home League victory with their first League win at Villa Park since the 1-0 victory over Sheffield Wednesday on November 3 and score two goals In a League game for the first time since October 23. Villa achieve it with an โ€œexperimentalโ€ line up that sees Fred Turnbull and Bobby McDonald making their first second division appearances of the season.

Vic Crowe's Villa had now won twice in four games having failed to win in any of the previous twelve however fans stayed away in their droves in protest at the controversial Chairmanship of Herbert Douglas Ellis. As a result, Villa make it nine wins, twelve draws and ten defeats in thirty one League games this season.

Villa come into the game with promotion off the table and promptly put on a performance that culminates in a fine first half strike by Pat McMahon before familiar struggles return and Villa are beaten for the third successive game, fall to 15th in the table, nine points off the final promotion place with six points left to play for and fully 25 points behind leaders Middlesbrough.

Vic Crowe's Villa lose three successive matches to make it twelve wins, fourteen draws and thirteen defeats in thirty nine League games this season. Meanwhile, forward Bobby Campbell and goalkeeper Jake Findlay made their Villa debuts aged 17 and 19 after joining from school football in June 1972 and July 1970.

In front of the second lowest Villa Park attendance in five years, Villa are boosted by their youngsters to a first win in six League games as forward Bobby Campbell ๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ง and left back Bobby McDonald ๐Ÿด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ณ๓ ฃ๓ ด๓ ฟ shine against Forest.

Vic Crowe's ๐Ÿด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ท๓ ฌ๓ ณ๓ ฟ Villa make it ๐ŸŸฉ thirteen wins, ๐ŸŸจ fourteen draws and ๐ŸŸฅ thirteen ๐Ÿ•’ defeats in forty League games this season. 

Centre back Fred Turnbull ๐Ÿด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ 27 makes his ๐Ÿ•’ final appearance in a Villa shirt before retiring from football due to injury. Fred played for Villa between 1967-68 and 1973-74 making 184 appearances and scoring 3 goals.

Right back John Gidman ๐Ÿด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ makes his ๐Ÿ•’ 50th appearance in a Villa shirt.

Villa lose for the fourth time in five to sit fourteenth in the table with one game left to play.

Vic Crowe's Villa lose for the fourth time in five matches and have one victory in the last seven to make it thirteen wins, fourteen draws and fourteen defeats in forty one League games this season.

Three goals down at half time, Villa lose for the third time in five games and five out of their last six games with a desperate improvement in form needed in 1975 after a poor November and December had derailed their promotion challenge.

Ron Saunders' Villa collapse to defeat again to make it ten wins, six draws and eight defeats in his first twenty four League games as Villa boss. 

Meanwhile, Jimmy Brown made his final appearance for Villa aged 21 before moving on to Preston North End in October 1975. Jimmy played for Villa between 1969-70 and 1974-75 making 87 appearances and scoring once.

Villa win in the third round of the FA Cup at Boundary Park after their tumultuous League meeting in October but it is the League that promises the real riches as everyone hopes 1975 sees an improvement on the poor spell suffered by Ron Saunders' side in the final two months of 1974.

Ron Saunders' Villa open 1975 with an FA Cup win as midfielder Frank Pimblett made his debut aged 17 after joining from school football in June 1973.

Villa follow up their FA Cup win with victory in the League at Villa Park to climb to 5th in the table.

Ron Saunders' ๐Ÿด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ Villa make it ๐ŸŸฉ two wins in two in 1975 to make it ๐ŸŸฉ eleven wins, ๐ŸŸจ six draws and ๐ŸŸฅ eight defeats in his ๐Ÿ•’ first twenty five League games as Villa boss.

Forward Brian Little ๐Ÿด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ scores his โšฝ 20th goal in a Villa shirt on his ๐Ÿ•’ 86th appearance (79 Starts) to make it ๐ŸŸฉ W36 ๐ŸŸจ D25 ๐ŸŸฅ L25, โšฝ 20 Goals and ๐Ÿ”ฅ 16 Assists at a rate of one goal every 2.39 games.

Villa dominate Chester but are held at Sealand Road despite Ray Graydon's 30th of the season but the second leg at Villa Park is expected to be a formality. What isn't in doubt however is that Villa are unbeaten in three in all competitions in 1975.

Ron Saunders' Villa take the advantage over fourth division side Chester ahead of the League Cup semi final second leg at Villa Park.

Villa make it successive League wins for the first time since October and are now unbeaten in four games in all competitions in 1975 as they climb back to fourth in the second division table.

Ron Saunders' Villa make it three wins in three in 1975 to make it twelve wins, six draws and eight defeats in his first twenty six League games as Villa boss.

Villa need a late winner from Brian Little but reach their second League Cup final in four seasons and fourth in total as they beat Chester at Villa Park. 

Ron Saunders' Villa make it five unbeaten and four wins in 1975 as they qualify for a record fourth League Cup final.

Villa's strong start to 1975 continues as they ๐ŸŸฉ beat first division Sheffield United in the FA Cup third round.

Ron Saunders' ๐Ÿด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ Villa make it six unbeaten and five wins in 1975 as they add a fifth round FA Cup place to their record fourth League Cup final.

Forward Brian Little ๐Ÿด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ contributes his โšฝ ๐Ÿ”ฅ 40th goal involvement in a Villa shirt on his ๐Ÿ•’ 90th appearance (83 Starts) and makes it ๐ŸŸฉ W38 ๐ŸŸจ D27 ๐ŸŸฅ L25, โšฝ 22 Goals and ๐Ÿ”ฅ 18 Assists at a rate of one every 2.25 games.

Villa, seemingly transformed since the turn of the year, make it six wins in seven unbeaten games in all competitions in 1975 as they put on another strong performance at Meadow Lane to make fourth spot their own and close the gap on leaders Manchester United to eight points.

Ron Saunders' Villa make it seven unbeaten and six wins in 1975 as they rack up thirteen wins, six draws and eight defeats in his first twenty seven League games as Villa boss.

Villa extend their unbeaten run in 1975 to  eight games as they are held at home by Fulham to remain fourth in the table but with the gap to the top now reduced to seven points.

Ron Saunders' Villa make it eight unbeaten and six wins in 1975 as they rack up thirteen wins, seven draws and eight defeats in his first twenty eight League games as Villa boss.

Villa hammer first division title chasers Ipswich in the FA Cup and โ€ฆ lose. Their first defeat in 1975 after nine games in all competitions.

Ron Saunders' Villa lose for the first time in nine matches as three late goals from top tier side Ipswich knock them out of the FA Cup.

Villa ๐ŸŸฉ beat Portsmouth in an end to end game to make it ๐ŸŸฉ four wins in ๐Ÿ•’ five unbeaten League games in 1975 as they remain 4th in the table.

Ron Saunders' Villa make it ๐ŸŸฉ fourteen wins, ๐ŸŸจ seven draws and ๐ŸŸฅ eight defeats in his ๐Ÿ•’ first twenty nine League games as Villa boss.

Central defender Neil Rioch ๐Ÿด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ 23 makes his final appearance in a Villa shirt before moving on to Plymouth Argyle in May 1975. Rioch played for Villa between 1969-70 and 1974-75 making 24 appearances and scoring 3 goals.

Forward Brian Little ๐Ÿด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ scores his โšฝ 25th goal in a Villa shirt on his ๐Ÿ•’ 93rd appearance (86 Starts) to make it ๐ŸŸฉ W40 ๐ŸŸจ D28 ๐ŸŸฅ L25, โšฝ 25 Goals and ๐Ÿ”ฅ 18 Assists at a rate of one goal every 3.72 games.

Villa beat leaders Manchester United in an impressive Villa Park performance to close the gap to the top of the table to five points with a game in hand as their 1975 form transforms their promotion challenge.

Ron Saunders' Villa make it six unbeaten games in League football in 1975 to record fifteen wins, seven draws and eight defeats in his first thirty League games as Villa boss. 

Meanwhile, full back Keith Masefield made his debut as a substitute aged 17 having joined from Warwickshire & District Schools on 1 October 1974.

Villa beat cocky John Bond's Norwich by a single goal at Wembley to lift the League Cup for the second time in their fourth final but the scoreline barely tells the story of Villa's dominance as Ron Saunders and his side show their class on and off the pitch.

Ron Saunders' Villa win the League Cup for the second time thanks to Ray Graydon's missed penalty rebound.

Villa can't break down the massed ranks of Bolton's defence at Villa Park but climb to joint third, six points behind leaders Manchester United with a game in hand.

Ron Saunders' Villa make it seven unbeaten games in League football in 1975 to record fifteen wins, eight draws and eight defeats in his first thirty one League games as Villa boss.

Villa beat Forest at the City Ground for their fifth away win of the season and take outright third place in the second division, six points behind leaders Manchester United with one game in and but just a single point behind second placed Sunderland who have also played a game more.

Ron Saunders' Villa make it eight unbeaten games in League football in 1975 to record sixteen wins, eight draws and eight defeats in his first thirty two League games as Villa boss.

Villa sweep aside Southampton at Villa Park to climb into joint second place alongside Sunderland and five points behind leaders Manchester United with a game in hand. Villaโ€™s poor form of November and December is well and truly consigned to the past having won seven - including four away - and drawn two of their nine League games in 1975, scoring nineteen and conceding seven.

Ron Saunders' Villa make it nine unbeaten games in League football in 1975 to record seventeen wins, eight draws and eight defeats in his first thirty three League games as Villa boss.

Villa suffer a shock defeat to Orient at Brisbane Road - their first League defeat of 1975 after eleven games. Villa remain joint second but are now seven points behind leaders Manchester United with a game in hand.

Ron Saunders' Villa lose for the first time in the League in 1975 and for the first time in ten games as they fall to defeat at Orient to make it seventeen wins, eight draws and nine defeats in Saunders' first thirty four League games as Villa boss.

Villa make it successive wins and have now won nine League games and drawn two in twelve second division games in 1975 to make third place their own and a point behind second placed Sunderland with two games in hand.

Ron Saunders' Villa now have just a single defeat in thirteen League games and two successive wins as they make it nineteen wins, eight draws and nine defeats in Saunders' first thirty six League games as Villa boss.

Brian Little scores a brace to make it 17 goals for the season as Villa win for the third consecutive game to make it ten second division wins in thirteen games since the turn of the year but remain third, a point behind second placed Sunderland with two games in hand.

Ron Saunders' Villa now have just a single defeat in fourteen League games and three successive wins as they make it twenty wins, eight draws and nine defeats in Saunders' first thirty seven League games as Villa boss.

Forward Brian Little ๐Ÿด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ โšฝ scores a hat-trick, makes it twenty โšฝ for the season, misses a penalty, ๐Ÿ”ฅ creates the fifth and ๐Ÿ”ฅ forces an own goal as Villa hammer Oldham.

Villa climb to second in the table, a point ahead of Sunderland in third and eight behind leaders Manchester United with two games in hand on both teams.

Ron Saunders' ๐Ÿด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ Villa now have just a ๐ŸŸฅ single defeat in ๐Ÿ•’ fifteen League games including four ๐ŸŸฉ successive wins as they make it ๐ŸŸฉ twenty one wins, ๐ŸŸจ eight draws and ๐ŸŸฅ nine defeats in Saunders' ๐Ÿด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ first ๐Ÿ•’ thirty eight League games as Villa boss.

Forward Brian Little ๐Ÿด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ โšฝ scores three and ๐Ÿ”ฅ creates one as he contributes his โšฝ ๐Ÿ”ฅ 50th goal involvement in a Villa shirt on his ๐Ÿ•’ 103rd appearance (96 Starts) and makes it ๐ŸŸฉ W48 ๐ŸŸจ D29 ๐ŸŸฅ L26, โšฝ 32 Goals and ๐Ÿ”ฅ 20 Assists at a rate of one every 1.98 games.

Villa record their fifth successive win as they hit their 100th competitive goal of Ron Saundersโ€™ remarkable first season to remain second, seven points off leaders Manchester United who have a single game to play compared to Villaโ€™s three. As a result Villa can be promoted as runners up but are only a single point clear of Sunderland and Norwich who have one and two games left of the season respectively. 

Ron Saunders' Villa now have just a single defeat in sixteen League games including five successive wins and ten goals without reply in the last three as they make it twenty two wins, eight draws and nine defeats in Saunders' first thirty nine League games as Villa boss.

Ron Saunders' ๐Ÿด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ Villa win promotion back to Division One after an absence of eight years. 

Villa hammer Wednesday at Hillsborough to make it ๐ŸŸฉ thirteen second division wins in sixteen games since the turn of the year.

Villa now have just a ๐ŸŸฅ single defeat in seventeen League games including ๐ŸŸฉ six successive wins and โšฝ fourteen goals without reply in the last four.

Villa make it ๐ŸŸฉ twenty three wins, ๐ŸŸจ eight draws and ๐ŸŸฅnine defeats in Saunders' first forty League games as Villa boss. 

Ian Ross's ๐Ÿด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ณ๓ ฃ๓ ด๓ ฟ penalty on 80โ€™ means that goalkeeper Jimmy Cumbes ๐Ÿด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ is the only Villa regular who hasn't scored this season.

Winger Steve Hunt ๐Ÿด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ 18 makes his debut in a Villa shirt after promotion from the Youth Team to become the 576th player to play for Villa in first team League or Cup football.

Forward Brian Little ๐Ÿด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ secures his ๐ŸŸฉ 50th win in a Villa shirt on his ๐Ÿ•’ 105th appearance.

Villa beat long time promotion rivals Sunderland to drop them to fourth in the table and hand promotion to Norwich - who Villa face in their final game of the season. Villa keep their fifth consecutive clean sheet and make it seven League wins in a row to leave them insurmountable in second place in the table ahead of their promotion to the top flight.

Ron Saunders' promoted Villa side have just a single defeat in eighteen League games including seven successive wins and sixteen goals without reply in the last five as they make it twenty four wins, eight draws and nine defeats in Saunders' first forty one League games as Villa boss.

Ron Saunders ๐Ÿด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ masterminds promotion and a second League Cup win in his first season in charge.

Ron Saunders' ๐Ÿด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ promoted Villa side have just a ๐ŸŸฅ single defeat in their ๐Ÿ•’ last nineteen League matches.

Villa concede for the first time in ๐Ÿ•’ six games but win for the ๐ŸŸฉ eighth consecutive game to finish the season second, promoted, three points behind long time leaders Manchester United.

Villa have now scored โšฝ twenty goals in their last eight games to one conceded in the last six as they make it ๐ŸŸฉ twenty five wins, ๐ŸŸจ eight draws and ๐ŸŸฅ nine defeats in Saunders' first ๐Ÿ•’ forty two League games as Villa boss.

Right back John Gidman ๐Ÿด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ scores his โšฝ first goal in a Villa shirt on his ๐Ÿ•’ 67th appearance.

Villa record a commendable third League victory of the season - all at Villa Park - as Arsenal are beaten in a much improved performance. Sadly however, it would prove to be goalscorer Keith Leonard's final game as injury would curtail a promising career that had seen him score four goals in eight games so far this season.

Ron Saunders' Villa beat Arsenal to make it three wins, one draw and three defeats on their return to the top flight but Keith Leonard, scorer of four of Villa's eleven goals this season, suffers a career ending injury. Leonard, 24, had played for Villa between 1972-73 and 1975-76 making 47 appearances and scoring 17.

For the first half hour of Villa's first UEFA Cup match the tie was even, perhaps even Villa were in the ascendancy before Antwerp struck and Austrian Karl Kodat took over with an 11 minute hat-trick to leave Villa trailing by a totally unrepresentative four goals at half time.

Villa face Royal Antwerp F.C. for the first time in competitive football, Antwerp become the 111th team that the Villa first team has played in League or Cup football and Villaโ€™s first continental European opponents.

Ron Saunders' Villa's first ever European fixture ends in heavy defeat. Meanwhile, after a difficult display, celebrated Villa 'keeper Jim Cumbes made his final appearance aged 31 before moving on to Portland Timbers in March 1976. Cumbes played for Villa between 1971-72 and 1975-76 making 183 appearances and conceding 173 goals at a rate of just 0.95 goals per game as Villa climbed back through the Leagues.

Villa are kicked from pillar to post in a thuggish Ipswich display as another referee looks on disengaged. 

The consequence is another set of injuries for the club to deal with and represents far more concern than the three basic defensive errors that gifted the win to the home side.

Ron Saunders' ๐Ÿด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ Villa make it ๐ŸŸฉ four wins, ๐ŸŸจ five draws and ๐ŸŸฅ six defeats in ๐Ÿ•’ fifteen League games following their return to the top flight as they suffer again under the thuggish tactics of the opposition.

Centre forward John Deehan ๐Ÿด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ 18 makes his debut appearance in a Villa shirt to become the 579th player to play for Villa in first team League or Cup football.