1972–73 Aston Villa F.C. season

The 1972–73 English football season was Aston Villa's 73rd season in the Football League, this season playing in the Football League Second Division. Under manager Vic Crowe[1] Aston Villa won promotion in the previous season as champions with a record 70 points, and thus ended their two-year spell in the Third Division. By the end of the decade they would be firmly re-established as a First Division club.

Aston Villa
1972–73 season
ChairmanEngland Doug Ellis
ManagerWales Vic Crowe
StadiumVilla Park
Second Division3rd
FA CupThird round
League CupThird round

The 1972 FA Charity Shield was contested between Manchester City and Aston Villa with City winning 1–0,[2] following a penalty from striker Francis Lee. Normally, the Charity Shield would have been contested by the First Division champions and FA Cup holders, who were Derby County and Leeds United respectively, but both declined the chance to play in the Charity Shield. Instead, Manchester City, who had finished in fourth place in the First Division; and Aston Villa, who finished as Third Division champions accepted the invitation to play. The match was played at Villa Park.

There were debut appearances for John Gidman (197), John Robson (144) Alun Evans (60), Keith Leonard (38), and Bobby McDonald (39).[3]

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GAv Pts Qualification or relegation
1 Burnley (C, P) 42 24 14 4 72 35 2.057 62 Promotion to the First Division
2 Queens Park Rangers (P) 42 24 13 5 81 37 2.189 61
3 Aston Villa 42 18 14 10 51 47 1.085 50
4 Middlesbrough 42 17 13 12 46 43 1.070 47
5 Bristol City 42 17 12 13 63 51 1.235 46 Qualification for the Watney Cup
Source: [citation needed]
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal average; 3) Goals scored
(C) Champions; (P) Promoted

FA Charity Shield

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Manchester City1–0Aston Villa
Lee   Report
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Manchester City
 
 
 
 
 
Aston Villa

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Saunders chosen as Aston Villa's new manager, 5 June 1974, The Times, Issue: 59107
  2. ^ "England – List of FA Charity/Community Shield Matches". RSSSF. Retrieved 15 February 2012.
  3. ^ "Aston Villa's Seasons". AVFC History.