Villa recover from the Hillsborough thuggery to trounce Preston in the League Cup Fourth Round to reach the last 8.

Joe Mercer's Villa get back to winning ways for the first time in four as they beat second division Preston in the fourth round of the League Cup. 

Meanwhile, full back Cammie Fraser made his Villa debut aged 21 after joining from Dunfermline Athletic in October 1962.

Villa's season is bubbling along nicely as they beat third placed Burnley to leave them 6th with a League Cup Quarter Final already booked.

Joe Mercer's Villa record a second successive win and make it nine wins, three draws and six defeats in eighteen division one games so far in 1962-63.

Villa are held by ten-man Manchester United at Old Trafford and fall back to 7th in the table.

Joe Mercer's Villa are held to a draw at Old Trafford to make it three unbeaten and nine wins, four draws and six defeats in nineteen division one games so far in 1962-63. 

Meanwhile, forward Alan O’Neill made his final appearance for Villa aged 25 before moving on to Plymouth Argyle later this month. O’Neill played for Villa between 1960-61 and 1962-63 making 34 appearances and scoring 11 goals.

Villa, beginning to look the finished article, sweep aside Bolton at Villa Park to climb back to sixth in the table as a second half of the season "force to be reckoned with" is predicted for Joe Mercer's Villa.

Joe Mercer's Villa make it five unbeaten and now have just two defeats in their last thirteen games to make it ten wins, four draws and six defeats in twenty division one games so far in 1962-63. 

Meanwhile, forward Phil Woosnam made his Villa debut aged 29 after moving from West Ham United in November 1962.

Villa, with 13 goals in four games, sweep aside League Cup Holders Norwich to set up a semi final with Sunderland.

Joe Mercer's Villa ease through to the League Cup semi final for the second time in three seasons and make it six unbeaten and four wins as they see off the challenge of second division Norwich at Villa Park.

Villa, playing some of their best football of the season, sweep aside unbeaten at home and fourth placed Leicester to take a 3-1 lead and a firm stranglehold on the game. Two late goals however, of the more fortunate variety, peg Villa back but they still climb to 5th in the table.

Joe Mercer's Villa make it seven unbeaten and now have just two defeats in their last fifteen games but are held to a draw despite scoring three away at Filbert Street to make it ten wins, five draws and six defeats in twenty one division one games so far in 1962-63.

Villa secure a second successive away draw to remain 5th in the table.

Joe Mercer's Villa make it eight unbeaten to end 1962 in superb form with just two defeats in their last sixteen games to make it ten wins, six draws and six defeats in twenty two division one games so far in 1962-63.

Villa have now had five matches abandoned or cancelled since they last played on 

22 December 1962 Villa v Manchester City, abandoned after 48 minutes due to fog;  

26 December 1962 Villa v Liverpool, Called off due to frozen pitch; 

29 December 1962 Liverpool v Villa, Called off due to frozen pitch; 

5 January 1963 Bristol City v Villa, Called off due to snow; 

12 January 1963 Blackpool v Villa, Called off due to snow.

Villa face Sunderland at Roker Park in frozen conditions as they compete their much delayed League Cup Semi Final first leg.

Villa, in difficult conditions, win through but not before Sunderland suffer losing their goalkeeper to injury ahead of Derek Dougan putting Villa 3-1 up ahead of the second leg.

Joe Mercer's Villa play for the first time in a month as they continue their superb form to take a commanding lead in the League Cup semi final at Roker Park setting Villa up in pole position for their second League Cup Final in three seasons after winning the inaugural competition in 1960-61. 

As a result Villa are now nine unbeaten with five wins and have lost just twice in their last seventeen.

Villa play their 11-day delayed FA Cup third round match in conditions that arguably shouldn't have hosted football. 

With players eschewing football boots for trainers and Villa 'keeper being knocked out on the frozen surface there was little to commend the decision to go ahead. 

That it ended in a draw with another fixture added to the five already needing to be rescheduled just added to the frustration.

Joe Mercer's Villa make it nine unbeaten but are held by third division Bristol City in the FA Cup third round ahead of a replay at Villa Park.

Villa play a League game for the first time in over a month and given the conditions were totally unsuitable to football it had to be questioned why it went ahead. Villa's game was one of only three played and no constructive football was possible as it predictably ended in a no-score stalemate.

Joe Mercer's Villa taste League action for the first time in five weeks and make it ten unbeaten with just two defeats in their last nineteen games to make it ten wins, seven draws and six defeats in twenty three division one games so far in 1962-63.

Joe Mercer's Villa taste League action for only the second time in 1963 and for the first time in four weeks as their ten game unbeaten run comes to a crashing end at Anfield. As a result, Villa - who fail to score for the second successive game - make it ten wins, seven draws and seven defeats in twenty four division one games so far in 1962-63.

Villa lose for the first time in 11 games but the real shock is that, hot on the heels of having to play Sunderland, Bristol City and Blackpool on snow, they are required to play at a ground that had not hosted football since 22 December and which had been deemed still unplayable for a cup fixture just 48 hours before. 

Unsurprisingly, this hastily arranged league fixture - the only one to go ahead - saw Villa struggle on an unprepared and unfamiliar surface. The damage was done in the first 30 minutes as Liverpool's familiarity paid dividends and Villa were unable to play their game. The fact that Liverpool leapfrogged Villa to take fifth place rubbed snow into the wounds.

Villa's recent fixture calendar looked thus:

22 Dec 1962, Villa v Manchester City, abandoned after 48 minutes due to fog

26 Dec 1962, Villa v Liverpool, Called off due to frozen pitch

29 Dec 1962, Liverpool v Villa, Called off due to frozen pitch

5 Jan 1963, Bristol City v Villa, Called off due to snow

12 Jan 1963, Blackpool v Villa, Called off due to snow

🟩 12 Jan 1963, Villa 3-1 Sunderland, Roker Park, played in snow

🟨 16 Jan 1963, Villa 1-1 Bristol City, Ashton Gate, played in snow

🟨 19 Jan 1963, Villa 0-0 Blackburn, Villa Park, played in snow

26 Jan 1963, Villa v Bristol City, Called off

2 Feb 1963, Sheffield United v Villa, Called off

4 Feb 1963, Villa v Sunderland, Called off

9 Feb 1963, Villa v Forest, Called off

🟥 13 Feb 1963, Villa 0-4 Liverpool, Anfield, played on a pitch deemed unplayable 48 hours earlier

Villa are forced to play on another pitch unworthy of hosting football but this time it's not ice and snow but mud and water as 1963's weather continues to play havoc. 

Despite the win Villa drop to 7th in the table as those around them have played two, three and four games more. 

Villa face their third game in four days in 48 hours - an FA Cup tie with Manchester United.

Joe Mercer's Villa, having played five games in three months play their second in just three days but they beat Orient to make it one defeat in fourteen and eleven wins, seven draws and seven defeats in twenty five division one games so far in 1962-63.

Again Villa are in the minority as they participate in one of just three English games requiring the teams to play on Monday after Saturday and the only team to have also played on the previous Thursday. Villa, in a strangely ineffectual, lose to 14th placed Manchester United meaning there will be no cup double this season. Villa now can look forward to a five day break between matches before they face relegation threated neighbours Birmingham at Villa Park.

Joe Mercer's Villa, having played five games in three months play their third in just five days as they are knocked out of the FA Cup at Old Trafford and have now lost two of their last four and failed to score in three of their last five having lost just two in their previous nineteen.

A rested Villa play on a footballing surface for the first time in half a dozen games and hammer Birmingham with ease to push their neighbours nearer to relegation. Villa have the luxury of a full seven days before their next fixture but questions are asked as two matches in thirteen days does not seem like optimising a fixture list within which Villa still have at least 18 games to play before the traditional end of the season in April - just 6 weeks away. Villa then are likely to need to play at least three games per week until the end of the season, why not fit some of those in now to reduce the burden on Joe Mercer's men?

Joe Mercer's Villa, having played five games in three months play their fourth in ten days as they hammer neighbours Birmingham to make it two defeats in sixteen and twelve wins, seven draws and seven defeats in twenty six division one games so far in 1962-63.

Villa, shorn of their undoubted star of the season - Harry Burrows - and their 'keeper, fall to defeat at Craven Cottage. Villa, 7th, face another 6 day break before they face Blackpool but that match at Bloomfield Road presages an absolutely unbelievably condensed fixture list. 

Villa are due to play on:

Friday, 29 March 1963

Monday, 1 April 1963

Saturday, 6 April 1963

Tuesday, 9 April 1963

Saturday, 13 April 1963

Monday, 15 April 1963

Tuesday, 16 April 1963

Saturday, 20 April 1963

Monday, 22 April 1963

It is now clear to all that the relatively empty fixture list in March was a serious error of judgement by the FA with Villa likely to still be completing their games in late May. Meanwhile teams above them in the table have played up to three games more than Joe Mercer's side in a more balanced spread of fixtures.

Joe Mercer's Villa play with the usual seven day separation between League outings for the first time since the 15th December as their wildly interrupted season promises major fixture list congestion in the final two months of the season. Villa fail to score for the fourth time in the last seven and had now lost three in the last six having lost just twice in the previous nineteen games. As a result Villa make it twelve wins, seven draws and eight defeats in twenty seven division one games so far this season as a campaign of such promise begins to falter under the difficult scheduling. Meanwhile, 23 year old goalkeeper John Gavan made his Villa debut after moving from Walsall Wood in November 1962.

Villa, participating in one of three first division games on Friday night, are well beaten by Blackpool at Bloomfield Road after the adopt a shoot on sight policy following Villa 'keeper Geoff Sidebottom's injury in the 7th minute. Sidebottom bravely remains on the pitch and is only replaced on 85' with 19 year old defender John Sleeuwenhoek taking over goalkeeping duties. Villa face Everton on Monday with Sidebottom unlikely to be available.

Joe Mercer's Villa lose successive games for the first time since November and fail to score for the fifth time in the last eight as they are beaten at Bloomfield Road. Villa, in trying circumstances, have now lost by four goals to nil in two of their last four away League games. As a result Villa make it twelve wins, seven draws and nine defeats in twenty eight division one games so far this season as a campaign of such promise continues to falter.

Villa visit their bogey ground Turf Moor and suffer a fourth consecutive defeat. In truth this was the first of the quartet that was a cause for real concern. Without their 'keeper, flair and goalscorer in Sidebottom, Woosnam and Burrows, Villa simply didn't compete as they fall to 11th in the table with their next ficture in less than 72 hours time.

Joe Mercer's Villa lose four successive games for the first time since 1958-59 under Eric Houghton which led to Mercer’s appointment in December 1958. Villa’s latest fixture is their third in nine days as their wildly interrupted season delivered the inevitable fixture list congestion in the final two months of the season. Villa did however manage to score for the first time in four matches to make it twelve wins, seven draws and eleven defeats in thirty division one games so far this season as a campaign of such promise before the fixture interruption collapses further.

Villa's miserable run continues as they lose to 19th placed Manchester United after suffering another injury blighted game, this time for Derek Dougan, robbing Villa of an effective front line. Villa take the game to United throughout but simply have no cutting edge as they remain 11th following their fifth successive defeat.

Joe Mercer's Villa lose five successive games for the first time since 1958-59 under Eric Houghton which led to Mercer’s appointment in December 1958. Villa’s latest fixture is their fourth in twelve days as their wildly interrupted season delivered the inevitable fixture list congestion in the final two months of the season. As a result, Villa make it twelve wins, seven draws and twelve defeats in thirty one division one games so far this season as a campaign of such promise before the fixture interruption collapses further.

Once again Villa dominate but cannot score and they slump to a sixth consecutive defeat against an unimpressive Wednesday. Villa now face two games in two days against fifth placed Wolves.

Joe Mercer's Villa lose six successive games for the first time since 1958-59 under Eric Houghton which led to Mercer’s appointment in December 1958 and Villa’s ultimate relegation to the second tier at the end of that campaign. Villa’s latest fixture is their fifth in sixteen days as their wildly interrupted season delivered the inevitable fixture list congestion in the final two months of the season. As a result, Villa make it twelve wins, seven draws and thirteen defeats in thirty two division one games so far this season as a campaign of such promise before the fixture interruption comes completely off the rails.

Villa, with a more defensive set up, dominate the first half and enter the break ahead but two goals in two minutes turn the game on its head and with Wolves' goal experiencing miraculous escapes, Villa are sent to a record breaking seventh consecutive defeat. In those seven defeats, arguably only Burnley away saw Villa outplayed. The thing was Villa just couldn't turn chances into goals and were being continually punished without mercy. Meanwhile Villa have less than 24 hours to find goalscoring form as they prepare to face Wolves once again.

Joe Mercer's Villa lose seven successive games for the first time in the club’s history. Villa’s latest fixture is their sixth in eighteen days as their wildly interrupted season delivered the inevitable fixture list congestion in the final two months of the season. As a result, Villa make it twelve wins, seven draws and fourteen defeats in thirty three division one games so far this season as a campaign of such promise before the fixture interruption comes completely off the rails and sets a record for failure that no-one could or would have predicted.

Villa, unable to buy a goal or a share of luck, lose out once again in an otherwise OK performance but the pomp and clinicism of a bouyant Wolves side sends Villa to a scarcely believeable eighth successive defeat. There is no disdain or slow-hand clapping from the terraces however as everyone witnessing this run knows it's temporary and cannot last forever especially with 17th placed Bolton up next....

Joe Mercer's Villa lose eight successive games for the first time in the club’s history. Villa’s latest fixture is their seventh in nineteen days as they play the same opponents on successive days after their wildly interrupted season delivered the inevitable fixture list congestion in the final two months of the season. As a result, Villa make it twelve wins, seven draws and fifteen defeats in thirty four division one games so far this season as a campaign of such promise before the fixture interruption comes completely off the rails and sets a record for failure that no-one could or would have predicted.

Fifth placed nine games ago, a run of nine defeats leaves Villa free-falling in fifteenth as the team appear overwhelmed with nerves by their current predicament.

Joe Mercer's Villa lose nine successive games for the first time in the club’s history. Villa’s latest fixture is their eighth in twenty three days after their wildly interrupted season delivered the inevitable fixture list congestion in the final two months of the season. As a result, Villa make it twelve wins, seven draws and sixteen defeats in thirty five division one games so far this season as a campaign of such promise before the fixture interruption comes completely off the rails and sets a record for failure that no-one could or would have predicted.

Circle the date, it happened, Wednesday, 8 May 1963. Villa record their first League win in twelve after eleven consecutive defeats. Just as mystifyingly the goals and confidence dried up, it reappeared as Villa are awarded three penalties, are three up at half time and squander a host of chances. Villa face Albion in three days - a side sitting just one place above Villa.

Joe Mercer's Villa end a record setting run of eleven successive League defeats by winning their first game in thirteen since beating neighbours Birmingham 4-0 on 16th March. Villa’s latest fixture is their twelfth in forty one days after their wildly interrupted season delivered the inevitable fixture list congestion in the final two months of the season. As a result, Villa make it thirteen wins, seven draws and eighteen defeats in thirty eight division one games so far this season as a campaign of such promise before the fixture interruption had come completely off the rails following a record for failure that no-one could or would have predicted. With four League games remaining, Villa remain clear of the relegation places despite their record breaking losing run to underline the form they had shown prior to the new year. Villa also have a two legged final in the League Cup to look forward to against a Birmingham side heading for relegation.

Villa can't make it two wins in two as Harry Burrows misses a second consecutive penalty allowing Albion to take the points courtesy of a single first half strike. Villa remain 16th with three to play. Meanwhile, champions Everton have already finished their season.

Joe Mercer's Villa follow their first win in thirteen to end a record setting run of eleven successive League defeats with a twelfth division one defeat in thirteen. Villa’s latest fixture is their thirteenth in forty four days after their wildly interrupted season delivered the inevitable fixture list congestion in the final two months of the season. As a result, Villa make it thirteen wins, seven draws and nineteen defeats in thirty nine division one games so far this season as a campaign of such promise before the fixture interruption had come completely off the rails following a record for failure that no-one could or would have predicted.

Same old story... Villa attack incessantly... little reward... then it comes, three goals and a second win in three, this time against fourth placed Leicester. Villa remain 16th but the rot has well and truly been stopped. Meanwhile, Everton, Burnley, Wolves, Sheffield United and Blackpool have already finished their League campaign.

Joe Mercer's Villa bounce back from their twelfth defeat in thirteen to make it a second win in three games for the first time since the start of December. Villa’s latest fixture is their fourteenth in forty eight days after their wildly interrupted season delivered the inevitable fixture list congestion in the final two months of the season. As a result, Villa make it fourteen wins, seven draws and nineteen defeats in forty division one games so far this season as a campaign of such promise before the fixture interruption had come completely off the rails following a record for failure that no-one could or would have predicted.

Villa record successive wins and a third win in four as their end of season form blessedly picks up, young George Graham is the star of the show as he scores one and makes one. Coming into the fixture six clubs had already completed their league season, by full time 16 had. Villa had one game left to play ahead of their two legged League Cup final with neighbours Birmingham, whilst the opposition already had their feet up in readiness. 

Joe Mercer's Villa win consecutive League games for the first time since October to make it three wins in the last four. Villa’s latest fixture is their fifteenth in fifty one days after their wildly interrupted season delivered the inevitable fixture list congestion in the final two months of the season. As a result, Villa make it fifteen wins, seven draws and nineteen defeats in forty one division one games so far this season as a campaign of such promise before the fixture interruption had come completely off the rails following a record for failure that no-one could or would have predicted. Meanwhile, forward George Graham made a goalscoring Villa debut aged 18 after joining from school football in 1959.

Shorn of half a team of regulars Villa are the victims of a poor refereeing decision but rescue a draw at Portman Road. Villa become the last club, alongside opponents Ipswich, to complete their League season. Villa would have a 48 hour gap between this and the first leg of the League Cup final against neighbours Birmingham. The cup final opposition by contrast had three additional days recovery time. Regardless of Villa's form, the League hadn't managed the congested fixture list at all well with some clubs facing considerably worse difficulties than others. As a case in point it was already ten days since champions Everton finished their League campaign and the three other clubs involved in the season ending FA and League Cup finals had all finished their seasons earlier than Villa.

Joe Mercer's Villa end the most remarkable of League seasons unbeaten in three having lost twelve of their previous thirteen including a worst ever League run of eleven successive losses. Villa’s final League fixture is their sixteenth in fifty four days after their wildly interrupted season delivered the inevitable fixture list congestion and required Villa to play once every three days in the final two months of the season. As a result, Villa make it fifteen wins, eight draws and nineteen defeats in forty two division one games as a campaign of such promise before the fixture interruption had come completely off the rails following a record for failure that no-one could or would have predicted. That Villa finished 15th in the table, well clear of the drop zone, simply underlined the form they had shown prior to the new year and which made the form of April and May such a shock. Villa’s season wasn’t over however as they now had a two legged final in the League Cup to look forward to against neighbours Birmingham as Villa attempted to deliver a trophy in an otherwise barren season and win the League Cup for the second time in three seasons since its inauguration.

In a patently unbalanced move, Villa are forced to play the first leg of the League Cup final just two days after the end of their League season after having become the last club to complete their campaign. Villa, have some players back fit but still the team features more youngsters than would be ideal as they attempt to win the Cup for the second time in three seasons. All things considered, Villa didn't need any more misfortune but that is exactly what they got. In a typically robust encounter Villa 'keeper Nigel Sims was injured early in the second half, ironically in a tangle with his own defender, that left him with an arm injury ahead of Birmingham hitting two goals. There's little doubt though that taking the game in isolation, Birmingham deserve their lead ahead of the second leg.

Joe Mercer's Villa suffer a disappointing reverse against neighbours Birmingham in the first leg of the League Cup final at St Andrew’s to cede the advantage. Villa’s latest fixture is their seventeen in fifty six days and comes just two days after their final League game after their wildly interrupted campaign delivered the inevitable fixture list congestion and required Villa to play once every three days in the final two months of the season. Villa now had it all to do in the return leg at Villa Park to deliver a trophy in an otherwise barren season and win the League Cup for the second time in three seasons since its inauguration.

If Villa were timid in the first leg they were downright petrified in the second as Joe Mercer's men fail to rise to the occasion at the end of this most extraordinary of seasons. Although Villa's preparation had been far from ideal, Birmingham, collecting their first ever trophy, were deserving winners over the two legs.

Joe Mercer's Villa can only secure a goal-less draw in the second leg of the League Cup final as their first leg defeat at St Andrew’s hands neighbours Birmingham their first ever trophy. Villa’s final fixture of the season is their eighteenth in just sixty days after their wildly interrupted campaign delivered the inevitable fixture list congestion and required Villa to play once every three days in the final two months of the season.

Villa open the 1963-64 season with a rare win at the City Ground - their first since 1937.

Joe Mercer's Villa open the season with a debut goal from new signing Tony Hateley and a welcome win after a difficult final three months of 1962-63 as Villa lost 13 in 19 including nine successive defeats to finish 15th - their lowest position under Mercer and worse since relegation in 1958-59.

Villa fall to defeat in a poor performance in the first home game of the season.

Joe Mercer's Villa make it a win and a defeat in two games so far this season as Villa are beaten at home in their first match at Villa Park of the campaign.

Villa succumb to a second successive home defeat as the poor form of 1963 continues.

Joe Mercer's Villa make it one win and two defeats in the first three League games of the season as Villa are beaten for the second successive home match.

Villa grab a draw at the Victoria Ground having been behind twice.

Joe Mercer's Villa fail to win for the third successive game but hold Stoke at the Victoria Ground to make it one win, a draw and two defeats in the first four League games of the season.

Changes galore after Villa's shock defeat to Aldershot. 

Most consequential is the return of Phil Woosnam to the team having been absent since October due to 'pragmatic' footballing reasons. Woosnam proceeds to run the game and deliver a desperately needed win for Joe Mercer.

Joe Mercer's Villa return to League action to win for only the second time in ten to make it nine wins, five draws and twelve defeats in twenty six League games.

Villa take the game to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge and have their chances to win but Bridges loses the shackles of Sleeuwenhoek to snatch the winner midway through the second half.

Joe Mercer's Villa underline their inconsistency once again as they follow up their second win in ten with a third loss in seven to make it nine wins, five draws and thirteen defeats in twenty seven League games.

Villa create chance after chance but can only draw with relegation threatened Bolton after another offside goal is allowed, and remain 17th.

Joe Mercer's Villa draw for the sixth time in eight to make it ten wins, eleven draws and fifteen defeats in thirty six League games under Mercer.

Villa suffer a freak result as despite an almost continual onslaught on a defensive Birmingham's goal, against a side set up to secure a clean sheet and a point, who find themselves with three goals and one of the surprise results of the season.

Villa play Birmingham tomorrow seeking to avenge the injustice.

Joe Mercer's Villa fail to score for the first time in ten and lose for the first time in four as they are harshly beaten at home by neighbours Birmingham make it ten wins, eleven draws and sixteen defeats in thirty seven League games under Mercer.