Brian Clough, 37, won the first major trophy of his managerial career by guiding Derby County to their first ever league championship.
They overcame Leeds United, Liverpool and Manchester City to win a four-horse race, with only a single point separating all four teams.
By the end of the decade, Forest had made an explosive comeback to the top flight.
Brighton & Hove Albion followed Villa into the Second Division, but would not reach the heady heights that the midlanders would experience.
Mansfield Town, Barnsley, Torquay United and Bradford City were relegated.