There were debuts for Walter Leigh, Albert Wilkes, Billy Haggart, Frank Bedingfield, Bobby Templeton and Ralph Gaudie (5).

[1] Three of Villa’s 1897 double-winning team joined Celtic in the summer of 1897, so 1897/98 proved to be a rebuilding period for the club.

By the mid-point of 1898/99, Villa had a narrow lead over Everton and Burnley but a late season run by Liverpool dropped them to second place.

The season was notable for one of those one-off, never repeated events that enliven League history.

Ever-present: Tommy Bowman First at top: 29 October Date won league: 29 April (last game) Players used: 23