The 1968–69 English football season was Aston Villa's 70th season in the Football League, this season playing in the Football League Second Division. Aston Villa had been in decline for several years; the club had an ageing five-man board "who had failed to adapt to the new football reality".Ward, Adam, p. 98 The club had neither developed a scouting network nor an effective coaching structure.
In the pre-season, newspapers reported the arrival of Argentinian International Oscar Arce, formerly of Peñarol and Rosario Central. He was reportedly valued at £100,000 (at the time Martin Chivers was the League record signing at £125,000). Following Arce joining, in July 1968, Peter Doherty was appointed chief scout. Peter Doherty joins Villa as chief scout, The Birmingham Post, 3 July 1968, p40 Arce made seven appearance for the reserves, p26, The Aston Villa Miscellany, David Woodhall, 2007. but, while skilful, he was criticised for his temperament, fitness and lack of effort. The club bought him out of his contract.
Events off the pitch came to a head in November 1968. With Villa lying at the bottom of Division Two, the board sacked Tommy Cummings. On 21 November 1968 the problems in the boardroom were highlighted when board member George Robinson resigned. Following his resignation, the board issued a statement: "[The board] would make available, by their resignation, such seats as new financial arrangements might require".Ward, Adam, p. 100 Aston Villa F.C. was up for sale. After much speculation London financier Pat Matthews bought control of the club. He brought in local travel agent Doug Ellis as chair of the new board that was convened on 16 December 1968. Two days later Tommy Docherty was appointed as manager, his third club in six weeks, after his resignation from Rotherham United and a brief spell at Queens Park Rangers.
There were debuts for Brian Tiler (107), Mike Ferguson (38), Dave Simmons (17), John Griffiths (3), John Chambers (2), and Barry Lynch (2). After just two years at Blackburn Barrie Hole (47) moved, this time to Aston Villa for £60,000 in September 1968. In a disappointing season, Hole won the Aston Villa Lions Club Terrace Trophy for the best player at Aston Villa as decided by the fans.
Second Division
Matches
Source: avfchistory.co.uk
FA Cup
Third round proper The 44 First and Second Division clubs entered the competition at this stage. The matches were scheduled for Saturday, 4 January 1969. Seven matches were drawn and went to replays. Kettering Town was the last non-league club left in the competition.
Tie noHome teamScoreAway teamDate8Aston Villa2–1Queens Park Rangers4 January 1969
Fourth round proper The matches were scheduled for Saturday, 25 January 1969. Six matches were drawn and went to replays.
Tie noHome teamScoreAway teamDate3Southampton2–2Aston Villa25 January 1969ReplayAston Villa2–1Southampton29 January 1969
Fifth round proper The matches were scheduled for Saturday, 8 February 1969. However, for the first time in history, the entire fifth round draw for the FA Cup was unable to be played due to heavy snowfall across England, and the matches were replayed at various times after this date. Most took place by the following Wednesday (one of these requiring a replay), two were played a fortnight later, but the final match was not played until 1 March and required a replay two days later.
Tie noHome teamScoreAway teamDate5Tottenham Hotspur3–2Aston Villa12 February 1969
League Cup
Second round
Home team Score Away team Date Aston Villa 1–4 Tottenham Hotspur 4 September 1968
References
External links AVFC History: 1968-69 season