Matches with Caretaker Managers in charge.

[cdbearsfan]

Seems an appropriate time to discuss this.

I remember under Aitken we won all our pre-season games.

Stuart Gray and Dixie Deehan were in charge for a tedious nil-nil against, I think, Everton.

The best I remember was Jim Barron vs Spurszzz away. 3-0 up, fucked it up, the Deano got a last minute winner so we won anyway, 4-3.

Any more anyone can think of?

[Chris Harte]

Last game of 1986-87. A 3-1 defeat at Man United after Billy McNeill had been sacked but I can't remember who was caretaker

[BILL DE VALL]

European cup final anyone?

[Chris Harte]

European cup final anyone?

Wasn't Tony Barton made permanent manager about two months before (April 1st I believe)? He had been caretaker but wasn't by the time Villa arrived in Rotterdam.

[BILL DE VALL]

Maybe, but you know what i mean

[Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air]

Arthur Cox who was the trainer took charge of the team late in 1968 when Tommy Cummings was sacked, during the period just before the final removal of the old board. I dont remember exactly how many games he had, I do remember standing on the terraces at Burys Gigg Lane with my Dad with a few hundred other Villa fans, it was a noisy affair as there was unrest and revolution in the air. It was an exciting game I think, we lost 3-2 but then again we were well used to losing then.
Arthur Cox was a good football man as he showed during his later career, and was kept on when the incredibly exciting Tommy Docherty show hit Villa Park.

PS. I was going to start a new thread about memories of managers who have left during pre-season preparations but realised it wouldnt get many responses. None of the others, not even the hated O`Leary or the useless McNeill have managed to pull a stunt like that.

[SarkGrime]

Cox once grabbed Docherty by the leg and prevented him from flying into Aston Park after we scored. Don't know which match but I remember seeing a photo of it.

[Meanwood Villa]

The Gray and Deehan match was at Fulham I believe

[cdbearsfan]

Pretty sure it was at Villa Park... I was there and I have never been to Craven Cottage! Maybe they did two games?

[eamonn]

I think Gray and Deehan were in charge for two 0-0 draws. Didn't a fan run on to the pitch at Villa Park in the scoreless draw with Everton?

[OzVilla]

The infamous Villa v Norwich game in 1986 when Hodge did his assist for their goal in front of the Holte End. 

I think Ron Wylie may have been in charge at that time.