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The 1969–70 English football season was Aston Villa's 70th season in the Football League, this season playing in the Football League Second Division. On 19 January 1970, with Villa bottom of the Second Division, manager Tommy Docherty was sacked.[1] Vic Crowe was subsequently appointed manager.[2]
Bruce Rioch (154) moved to Aston Villa in July 1969 for a fee of £100,000, then a record fee paid by a Second Division side. Tommy Docherty, then Manager saw two Zambians, Emment Kapengwe (3) and Freddie Mwila (1) in action and signed them on. They arrived in Birmingham in August 1969 and signed for Villa for two years. There, they met Brian Tiler (107) who would later coach the Zambian national team. Kapengwe and Mwila [3] became the second and third black players to represent Villa since Willie Clarke in 1901. Other debut appearances included Chico Hamilton (208), Andy Lochhead (131), Pat McMahon (130), Jimmy Brown (75), George Curtis (51), Neil Rioch (22), John Phillips (15), Evan Williams (12), and Brian Rowan (1).[4]
Results were not very good and Villa were relegated to the third division. Docherty left the team and the Zambian duo decided to return home after nine months with Villa.
In the Second City derby Villa drew at home and won away.[5]
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GAv | Pts | Qualification or relegation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18 | Birmingham City | 42 | 11 | 11 | 20 | 51 | 78 | 0.654 | 33 | |
| 19 | Watford | 42 | 9 | 13 | 20 | 44 | 57 | 0.772 | 31 | |
| 20 | Charlton Athletic | 42 | 7 | 17 | 18 | 35 | 76 | 0.461 | 31 | |
| 21 | Aston Villa (R) | 42 | 8 | 13 | 21 | 36 | 62 | 0.581 | 29 | Relegation to the Third Division |
| 22 | Preston North End (R) | 42 | 8 | 12 | 22 | 43 | 63 | 0.683 | 28 |
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