1971 FROZEN IN TIME

ASTON VILLA could do with a boost to help their current poor form in the Championship.

Back in 1971, the club got a massive lift from a defeat in the League Cup Final on February 27.

Villa, then a toiling Third Division outfit, were clearly ready to fly out of the traps against Spurs at Wembley.

Four players — future Scotland captain Bruce Rioch, Keith Bradley, Brian Tiler and skipper Brian Godfrey got an early taste of the stadium and posed for a picture on the greyhound track.

Although they lost 2-0, with Martin Chivers hitting a brace, the underdogs took all the plaudits.

Supporters stayed on to give one of the biggest ovations ever for a losing side.

The match signalled the end of Villa’s decline and, within 10 years, they were league champions.