Aston Villa spent most of the season challenging for the title, and were top of the league with six games left to play, but were eventually overhauled by manager Ron Atkinson's old club Manchester United.

[1] Villa began their season against the last champions of the old 2nd Division, Ipswich Town in front of a packed crowd at Portman Road and came away with a point after a late goal by Dalian Atkinson cancelled out Gavin Johnson's first half opener.

Another mid-week game, this time at Goodison Park brought Villa's first loss of the season, as a late Mo Johnston strike gave Everton all three points.

A poor performance and a home loss to Chelsea was quickly forgotten after Villa hit three with no reply against Crystal Palace.

A dour goalless draw at home to Blackburn Rovers saw Villa fourth in the table, 6 points off shock early runners Norwich City, and there was another single point taken at Boundary Park, Dalian Atkinson's goal sharing the spoils with Oldham Athletic after an early goal by Villa old boy Ian Olney.

A third straight clean sheet for Nigel Spink at White Hart Lane but his opposite number Erik Thorstvedt had a equally good day at the office, 0–0 against Spurs.

Villa ended the year in winning ways, a Dean Saunders penalty enough to see them take the points at home to Arsenal.

Backup Goalkeeper Les Sealey was allowed a free transfer and would return to old club Manchester United.

Young full back Neil Cox gave Villa a first half lead, but Rovers equalled the tie through Marcus Browning.

Dwight Yorke was struggling to replicate his top scoring form from last season but did get his 5th of the campaign against Wimbledon in a 1–0 win.

Next, Villa headed to Ron Atkinson's old stomping ground Old Trafford, and a thrilling encounter between the Premier League's top two sides.

United's Welsh powerhouse Mark Hughes equalised - but that was only after a wonderful long range strike from Villa's Irish left-back Steve Staunton, who opened with the goal three minutes before.

Tony Daley hit the winner at Highbury against Arsenal, and Villa headed into the final four games of the season still just a point off Manchester United.

A 3–1 win at home to Manchester City kept United looking over their shoulder, and Villa headed to Ewood Park in high spirits.