1987–88 Aston Villa F.C. season

Aston Villa
1987–88 season
ChairmanDoug Ellis
ManagerGraham Taylor
StadiumVilla Park
Second Division2nd (promoted)
FA CupFourth round
League CupFourth round
Second City Derby
41--32--26
Main article: History of Aston Villa F.C. (1961–present)

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.[1] In November Villa boosted their Second Division promotion quest with a £150,000 move for Crystal Palace midfielder Andy A Gray.[2] There were also debuts for Kevin Gage,[3] Alan McInally,[4] Stuart Gray,[5] David Platt,[6] Malcolm Allen,[7] Mark Lillis,[8] David Hunt,[9] Steve Simms,[10] and Gareth Williams.[11][12] On 31 December 1987, Graeme Souness signs Aston Villa midfielder Mark Walters for Rangers for £550,000.[13]

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

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Relegation
1 Millwall (C, P) 44 25 7 12 72 52 +20 82 Promotion to the First Division
2 Aston Villa (P) 44 22 12 10 68 41 +27 78
3 Middlesbrough (O, P) 44 22 12 10 63 36 +27 78 Qualification for the Second Division play-offs
4 Bradford City 44 22 11 11 74 54 +20 77
5 Blackburn Rovers 44 21 14 9 68 52 +16 77
Source:
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored
(C) Champions; (O) Play-off winners; (P) Promoted

Matches

Date Opponent Venue Result Note Scorers
15 August 1987 Ipswich A 1–1 — Own goal 29' [14]
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.[15] 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.[16] 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.[17] 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'[18]
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.[13] Paul Birch 30' [19]
1 January 1988 Hull H 5–0 — Stuart Gray, Warren Aspinall (2), Andy Gray, Alan McInally[20]
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 [21]
16 January 1988 Ipswich H 1–0 — Martin Keown [22]
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.[23] 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.[24] 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.[25] —
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.[26] 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

Main article: 1987–88 FA Cup

League Cup

Main article: 1987–88 League Cup

See also

References

  1. ^ Tony Dorigo: Career statistics. soccerbase. Retrieved 8 June 2013
  2. ^ "AVFC History". www.avfchistory.co.uk. Retrieved 26 January 2026.
  3. ^ "AVFC History". www.avfchistory.co.uk. Retrieved 26 January 2026.
  4. ^ "AVFC History". www.avfchistory.co.uk. Retrieved 26 January 2026.
  5. ^ "AVFC History". www.avfchistory.co.uk. Retrieved 26 January 2026.
  6. ^ "AVFC History". www.avfchistory.co.uk. Retrieved 26 January 2026.
  7. ^ "Malcolm Allen Aston Villa Forward". AVFC History. Retrieved 25 January 2026.
  8. ^ "AVFC History". www.avfchistory.co.uk. Retrieved 26 January 2026.
  9. ^ "David Hunt Aston Villa Midfielder". AVFC History. Retrieved 25 January 2026.
  10. ^ "AVFC History".
  11. ^ "AVFC History". www.avfchistory.co.uk. Retrieved 26 January 2026.
  12. ^ "Aston Villa's Seasons". AVFC History.
  13. ^ a b "AVFC History".
  14. ^ AVFC History – 1987–88 League Matches
  15. ^ Entertainment & Sports Agency Limited. "Aston Villa FC News – VillaMAD". Archived from the original on 28 July 2011. Retrieved 17 May 2009.
  16. ^ Aston Villa FC News – VillaMAD. Astonvilla-mad.co.uk (31 October 1987). Retrieved on 23 March 2011.
  17. ^ Aston Villa FC News – VillaMAD. Astonvilla-mad.co.uk (28 November 1987). Retrieved on 23 March 2011.
  18. ^ https://www.avfchistory.co.uk/game/3996
  19. ^ https://www.avfchistory.co.uk/game/3997
  20. ^ https://www.avfchistory.co.uk/game/3998
  21. ^ https://www.avfchistory.co.uk/game/3999
  22. ^ "🟩 16 Jan 1988, Villa 1-0 Ipswich, Villa Park". AVFC History. Retrieved 25 January 2026.
  23. ^ Aston Villa FC News – VillaMAD. Astonvilla-mad.co.uk (23 January 1988). Retrieved on 23 March 2011.
  24. ^ Aston Villa FC News – VillaMAD. Astonvilla-mad.co.uk (27 February 1988). Retrieved on 23 March 2011.
  25. ^ Aston Villa FC News – VillaMAD. Astonvilla-mad.co.uk (26 March 1988). Retrieved 23 March 2011
  26. ^ Aston Villa FC News – VillaMAD. Astonvilla-mad.co.uk (23 April 1988). Retrieved on 23 March 2011.
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