Villa had been in decline for several years; the club had an ageing five-man board "who had failed to adapt to the new football reality".

On 21 November 1968 the problems in the boardroom were highlighted when board member George Robinson resigned.

After much speculation London financier Pat Matthews bought control of the club.

He brought in local travel agent Doug Ellis as chair of the new board that was convened on 16 December 1968.

Two days later Tommy Docherty was appointed as manager, his third club in six weeks, after his resignation from Rotherham United and a brief spell at Queens Park Rangers.