The 1958–59 English football season was Aston Villa's 60th season in The Football League. Villa played in the First Division, the top-tier of English football but were relegated for the second time in their history.
In December 1958, Joe Mercer, wanting to move to another club, resigned and moved to Villa who were bottom of the First Division. Although he led them to the FA Cup semi-finals, they were relegated to the Second Division once again. He moulded a talented young side at Villa and his team became known as the "Mercer Minors".
Local rival "Wolves" achieved the double over Villa, part of a run of seven between 1957 and 1960.
In the second City derby Villa could only manage a draw at home before being defeated at St Andrews.
There were exits for Les Smith, Billy Myerscough, Peter Aldis and Wally Hazelden.
There were debuts for Ron Wylie (196), Gordon Lee (118), Doug Winton (37), John Sharples (13), Ken Barrett (5), Bill Beaton (1), and Jack Willis (1).
League table
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, 10 January 1959, although six matches were postponed until later dates. Six matches were drawn and went to replays.
Tie noHome teamScoreAway teamDate6Aston Villa2–1Rotherham United10 January 1959 Fourth round The matches were scheduled for Saturday, 24 January 1959, with three matches taking place on later dates. Six matches were drawn and went to replays, which were all played in the following midweek match. Worcester City was the last non-league club left in the competition.
Tie noHome teamScoreAway teamDate11Chelsea1–2Aston Villa24 January 1959 Fifth round The matches were scheduled for Saturday, 14 February 1959. Four matches went to replays in the following midweek fixture, with two of these requiring a second replay to settle the tie.
Tie noHome teamScoreAway teamDate4Everton1–4Aston Villa14 February 1959 Sixth round The four quarter-final ties were scheduled to be played on Saturday, 28 February 1959. Three of the four games went to replays.
Tie noHome teamScoreAway teamDate3Aston Villa0–0Burnley28 February 1959ReplayBurnley0–2Aston Villa3 March 1959 Semi finals The semi-final matches were played on Saturday, 14 March 1959. Nottingham Forest and Luton Town won their matches to meet in the final at Wembley.
Appearances Peter McParland, 47 appearances Jimmy Dugdale, 47 appearances Nigel Sims, 47 appearances, conceded 85 Gerry Hitchens, 41 appearances Vic Crowe, 39 appearances Jackie Sewell, 38 appearances Les Smith, 35 appearances Johnny Dixon, 34 appearances Peter Aldis, 33 appearances Billy Myerscough, 32 appearances Stan Crowther, 29 appearances Stan Lynn, 27 appearances Ron Wylie, 26 appearances Doug Winton, 18 appearances Pat Saward, 14 appearances Gordon Lee, 14 appearances John Sharples, 13 appearances Derek Pace, 12 appearances George Ashfield, 9 appearances Wally Hazelden, 8 appearances Roy Chapman, 8 appearances Dennis Jackson, 5 appearances Ken Barrett, 5 appearances Les Jones, 5 appearances Ken Roberts, 2 appearances Trevor Birch, 2 appearances Jackie Hinchliffe, 2 appearances Arthur Sabin, 1 appearance, conceded 1 Tommy Southren, 1 appearance Jack Willis, 1 appearance Bill Beaton, 1 appearance, conceded 6 AVFC History: 1958–59 season
See also List of Aston Villa F.C. records and statistics
References