The 1987–88 English football season was Aston Villa's 89th season in the Football League. Villa competed in the Football League Second Division and at their first attempt won promotion back to the top flight under manager, Graham Taylor.

In the Pre-season Chelsea had signed defender Tony Dorigo for £475,000.Tony Dorigo: Career statistics. soccerbase. Retrieved 8 June 2013 In November Villa boosted their Second Division promotion quest with a £150,000 move for Crystal Palace midfielder Andy A Gray. There were also debuts for Kevin Gage, Alan McInally, Stuart Gray, David Platt, Malcolm Allen, Mark Lillis, David Hunt, Steve Sims, and Gareth Williams. On 31 December 1987, Graeme Souness signs Aston Villa midfielder Mark Walters for Rangers for £550,000.

Post season, on 26 May 1988, Aston Villa prepare for their First Division comeback by signing Derek Mountfield from Everton for £425,000 and Chris Price from Blackburn Rovers for £150,000.

League table

Matches

DateOpponentVenueResultNoteScorers 15 August 1987 Ipswich A 1–1 — Own goal 29' AVFC History – 1987–88 League Matches 22 August 1987 Birmingham H 0–2 — — 29 August 1987 Hull A 1–2 — Warren Aspinall 29' (pen) 31 August 1987 Manchester City H 1–1 Plymouth and Barnsley lead the way on goal difference, but fancied Villa are fourth from bottom. Kevin Gage 40' 5 September 1987 Leicester A 2–0 — Mark Walters 39', Mark Lillis 62' 8 September 1987 Middlesbrough H 0–1 — — 12 September 1987 Barnsley H 0–0 — — 16 September 1987 West Bromwich Albion A 2–0 — Warren Aspinall 14', 90' 19 September 1987 Huddersfield A 1–0 — Steve Hunt 19' 26 September 1987 Sheffield United H 1–1 — Kevin Gage 21' 30 September 1987 Blackburn Rovers H 1–1 — Warren Aspinall 6' 3 October 1987 Plymouth Argyle A 3–1 — Mark Walters 2', 39'; Mark Lillis 9' 10 October 1987 Leeds United A 3–1 — Own goal 26'; Warren Aspinall 49', 55' 17 October 1987 Bournemouth H 1–1 — Mark Walters 10' 21 October 1987 Crystal Palace H 4–1 — Mark Walters 2', 26', 88' (pen); Steve Hunt 74' 24 October 1987 Stoke City A 0–0 — — 31 October 1987 Reading H 2–1 Aston Villa now stand fourth, with Ipswich Town and Birmingham City close behind.Aston Villa FC News – VillaMAD . Astonvilla-mad.co.uk (31 October 1987). Retrieved on 23 March 2011. Andy Blair 64'; Mark Lillis 78' 3 November 1987 Shrewsbury Town A 2–1 — Martin Keown 7'; Warren Aspinall 50' 7 November 1987 Millwall H 1–2 — Martin Keown 25' 14 November 1987 Oldham Athletic A 1–0 — Alan McInally 36' 28 November 1987 Bradford City A 4–2 Middlesbrough and Bradford City are level at the top of the Second Division on 43 points. Aston Villa, Hull City and Crystal Palace occupy the play-off places.Aston Villa FC News – VillaMAD . Astonvilla-mad.co.uk (28 November 1987). Retrieved on 23 March 2011. Stuart Gray (2), Paul Birch, Garry Thompson 5 December 1987 Swindon Town H 2–1 — Garry Thompson (2) 12 December 1987 Birmingham City A 2–1 — Garry Thompson (2) 18 December 1987 West Bromwich Albion H 0–0 — — 26 December 1987 Sheffield United A 1–1 — Garry Thompson 65' 28 December 1987 Huddersfield Town H 1–1 Middlesbrough lead with a one-point margin over Bradford City. A four-point margin separates their nearest six challengers – Aston Villa, Crystal Palace, Millwall, Hull City, Manchester City and Ipswich Town. Paul Birch 30' 1 January 1988 Hull H 5–0 — Stuart Gray, Warren Aspinall (2), Andy Gray, Alan McInally 2 January 1988 Barnsley A 3–1 11 Jan 1988 – Dave Bassett is sacked after just six months in charge of Watford, who are currently bottom of the First Division. He is succeeded by Aston Villa assistant manager Steve Harrison. Warren Aspinall, Paul Birch, Alan McInally 16 January 1988 Ipswich H 1–0 — Martin Keown 23 January 1988 Manchester City A 2–0 26 Jan 1988 – Aston Villa boost their Second Division promotion challenge with the £200,000 acquisition of highly rated Crewe Alexandra midfielder David Platt, 21. 31 Jan 1988 – Aston Villa have crept to the top of the Second Division, while Crystal Palace have risen to second place. Middlesbrough, Millwall and Blackburn Rovers occupy the play-off zone, while Bradford City have slid from second to sixth place in the space of a few weeks. Leicester City, relegated from the First Division last season, are now in the Second Division relegation play-off places.Aston Villa FC News – VillaMAD . Astonvilla-mad.co.uk (23 January 1988). Retrieved on 23 March 2011. Tony Daley, Garry Thompson 6 February 1988 Leicester H 2–1 — Mark Lillis, Allan Evans 14 February 1988 Middlesbrough A 1–2 — Tony Daley 20 February 1988 Blackburn Rovers A 2–3 — David Platt, Garry Thompson 27 February 1988 Plymouth Argyle H 5–2 The Second Division promotion race sees Aston Villa and Blackburn Rovers level at the top of the table, with Millwall, Middlesbrough and Bradford City occupying the play-off places.Aston Villa FC News – VillaMAD . Astonvilla-mad.co.uk (27 February 1988). Retrieved on 23 March 2011. Stuart Gray (pen), David Platt, Paul Birch (2), Garry Thompson 5 March 1988 Bournemouth A 2–1 — Tony Daley, David Platt 12 March 1988 Leeds United H 1–2 — Alan McInally 19 March 1988 Reading A 2–0 — Paul Birch, Garry Thompson 26 March 1988 Stoke City H 0–1 Aston Villa remain top of the Second Division with a two-point margin over Blackburn Rovers, with the play-off places being occupied by Middlesbrough, Millwall and Bradford City. Leeds United, Crystal Palace and Stoke City remain in strong contention for promotion as well.Aston Villa FC News – VillaMAD . Astonvilla-mad.co.uk (26 March 1988). Retrieved 23 March 2011 — 2 April 1988 Millwall A 1–2 — Garry Thompson 4 April 1988 Oldham Athletic H 1–2 — Stuart Gray 9 April 1988 Crystal Palace A 1–1 — David Platt 23 April 1988 Shrewsbury Town H 1–0 30 Apr 1988 – The promotion issues in the Second Division have yet to be confirmed, with just four points separating the top five clubs – Millwall, Aston Villa, Bradford City, Middlesbrough and Blackburn Rovers.Aston Villa FC News – VillaMAD . Astonvilla-mad.co.uk (23 April 1988). Retrieved on 23 March 2011. Warren Aspinall 2 May 1988 Bradford City H 1–0 — David Platt 7 May 1988 Swindon Town A 0–0 — —

Source: avfchistory.co.uk

FA Cup

Third round

Teams from the Football League First and Second Divisions entered in this round. The third round of games in the FA Cup were played over the weekend 9–11 January 1988, with the first set of replays being played on 12–13 January. Three games went to second replays and one of these to a third replay. Yeovil Town was again the lowest-ranked team in the draw, while Macclesfield Town, Maidstone United, Sutton United, Bath City and Yeovil were the last non-league clubs left in the competition.

Tie noHome teamScoreAway teamDate29Leeds United (2)1–2Aston Villa (2)9 January 1988 Fourth round

The fourth round of games were played over the weekend 30 January – 1 February 1988, with replays being played on 3 February. A second replay was then played on 9 February. Holders Coventry City were eliminated by Watford. Fourth Division side Leyton Orient was the lowest-ranked team in the draw.

Tie noHome teamScoreAway teamDate2Aston Villa0–2Liverpool31 January 1988

League Cup

Second round

First leg Home teamScoreAway teamDate Middlesbrough 0–1 Aston Villa 23 September 1987

Second leg Home teamScoreAway teamDateAgg. Aston Villa 1–0 Middlesbrough 7 October 1987 2–0 Third round Home teamScoreAway teamDate Aston Villa 2–1 Tottenham Hotspur 28 October 1987

References