The 1966–67 English football season was Aston Villa's 68th season in the Football League. Dick Taylor's heavy investment in new players failed disastrously, resulting in Villa being relegated to the Football League Second Division for the third time and plunging the club deep into financial trouble. The period is considered one of decline for the club.Ward, Adam, p. 98
Although offered the chance to remain, Manchester United squad player, Willie Anderson (231) decided to join Villa in order to find first team football for a fee of £20,000 in January 1967. Other debut appearances included Peter Broadbent (64), Lionel Martin (57) Dave Rudge (50), and John Woodward (26). In October 1966 Chelsea's offer of £100,000 for Tony Hateley (127) was accepted and he moved to west London.
It was only the third time Aston Villa had been relegated in the club's history. Taylor, chief scout Jimmy Easson and second team coach Johnny Dixon were sacked soon afterwards. Peter Doherty joins Villa as chief scout, The Birmingham Post, 3 July 1968, p40 The former player-manager of promotion winning Mansfield Town, 38-year-old Tommy Cummings was appointed Aston Villa manager in the summer of 1967.
Football League First Division
Matches
Source: avfchistory.co.uk
FA Cup
Third round The 44 First and Second Division clubs entered the competition at this stage. The matches were scheduled for Saturday, 28 January 1967. Eleven matches were drawn and went to midweek replays, with Hull City and Portsmouth requiring a second replay at Highfield Road on the following Monday. Bedford Town and Nuneaton Borough were the last non-league clubs left in the competition.
Tie noHome teamScoreAway teamDate4Preston North End0–1Aston Villa28 January 1967 Fourth round The matches were scheduled for Saturday, 18 February 1967. Six matches were drawn and went to replays.
Tie noHome teamScoreAway teamDate2Liverpool1–0Aston Villa18 February 1967
League Cup
Second round Ties Home teamScoreAway teamDate West Bromwich Albion 6–1 Aston Villa 14 September 1966
First team squad Colin Withers, goalkeeper, 26 John Sleeuwenhoek, centre-back, 22 Charlie Aitken, left-back, 24 Mick Wright, right-back, 19 Keith Bradley, right-back, 20 Mike Tindall, defensive midfield, 25 Peter Broadbent, midfielder, 32 Bobby Park, central midfield, 19 Lew Chatterley, central midfield, 21 Johnny MacLeod, right midfield, 27 Dave Pountney, right midfield, 26 Tony Scott, left midfield, 25 Alan Deakin, midfielder, 24 Willie Hamilton, forward, 28 John Woodward, forward, 19 Willie Anderson, left winger, 19 Dave Rudge, left winger, 18 Barry Stobart, second striker, 28 Tony Hateley, centre-forward, 25 (until October 1966)
References
External links AVFC History: 1966-67 season