1987–88 Aston Villa F.C. season
The 1987–88 English football season was Aston Villa's 89th season in the Football League. Villa competed in the Football League Second Division and at their first attempt won promotion back to the top flight under manager, Graham Taylor.
In the Pre-season Chelsea had signed defender Tony Dorigo for £475,000. In November Villa boosted their Second Division promotion quest with a £150,000 move for Crystal Palace midfielder Andy A Gray. There were also debuts for Kevin Gage, Alan McInally, Stuart Gray, David Platt, Malcolm Allen, Mark Lillis, David Hunt, Steve Simms, and Gareth Williams. On 31 December 1987, Graeme Souness signs Aston Villa midfielder Mark Walters for Rangers for £550,000.
Post season, on 26 May 1988, Aston Villa prepare for their First Division comeback by signing Derek Mountfield from Everton for £425,000 and Chris Price from Blackburn Rovers for £150,000.
League table
Matches
| Date | Opponent | Venue | Result | Note | Scorers |
| 15 August 1987 | Ipswich | A | 1–1 | — | Own goal 29' |
| 22 August 1987 | Birmingham | H | 0–2 | — | — |
| 29 August 1987 | Hull | A | 1–2 | — | Warren Aspinall 29' |
| 31 August 1987 | Manchester City | H | 1–1 | Plymouth and Barnsley lead the way on goal difference, but fancied Villa are fourth from bottom. | Kevin Gage 40' |
| 5 September 1987 | Leicester | A | 2–0 | — | Mark Walters 39', Mark Lillis 62' |
| 8 September 1987 | Middlesbrough | H | 0–1 | — | — |
| 12 September 1987 | Barnsley | H | 0–0 | — | — |
| 16 September 1987 | West Bromwich Albion | A | 2–0 | — | Warren Aspinall 14', 90' |
| 19 September 1987 | Huddersfield | A | 1–0 | — | Steve Hunt 19' |
| 26 September 1987 | Sheffield United | H | 1–1 | — | Kevin Gage 21' |
| 30 September 1987 | Blackburn Rovers | H | 1–1 | — | Warren Aspinall 6' |
| 3 October 1987 | Plymouth Argyle | A | 3–1 | — | Mark Walters 2', 39'; Mark Lillis 9' |
| 10 October 1987 | Leeds United | A | 3–1 | — | Own goal 26'; Warren Aspinall 49', 55' |
| 17 October 1987 | Bournemouth | H | 1–1 | — | Mark Walters 10' |
| 21 October 1987 | Crystal Palace | H | 4–1 | — | Mark Walters 2', 26', 88' ; Steve Hunt 74' |
| 24 October 1987 | Stoke City | A | 0–0 | — | — |
| 31 October 1987 | Reading | H | 2–1 | Aston Villa now stand fourth, with Ipswich Town and Birmingham City close behind. | Andy Blair 64'; Mark Lillis 78' |
| 3 November 1987 | Shrewsbury Town | A | 2–1 | — | Martin Keown 7'; Warren Aspinall 50' |
| 7 November 1987 | Millwall | H | 1–2 | — | Martin Keown 25' |
| 14 November 1987 | Oldham Athletic | A | 1–0 | — | Alan McInally 36' |
| 28 November 1987 | Bradford City | A | 4–2 | Middlesbrough and Bradford City are level at the top of the Second Division on 43 points. Aston Villa, Hull City and Crystal Palace occupy the play-off places. | Stuart Gray, Paul Birch, Garry Thompson |
| 5 December 1987 | Swindon Town | H | 2–1 | — | Garry Thompson |
| 12 December 1987 | Birmingham City | A | 2–1 | — | Garry Thompson |
| 18 December 1987 | West Bromwich Albion | H | 0–0 | — | — |
| 26 December 1987 | Sheffield United | A | 1–1 | — | Garry Thompson 65' |
| 28 December 1987 | Huddersfield Town | H | 1–1 | Middlesbrough lead with a one-point margin over Bradford City. A four-point margin separates their nearest six challengers – Aston Villa, Crystal Palace, Millwall, Hull City, Manchester City and Ipswich Town. | Paul Birch 30' |
| 1 January 1988 | Hull | H | 5–0 | — | Stuart Gray, Warren Aspinall, Andy Gray, Alan McInally |
| 2 January 1988 | Barnsley | A | 3–1 | 11 Jan 1988 – Dave Bassett is sacked after just six months in charge of Watford, who are currently bottom of the First Division. He is succeeded by Aston Villa assistant manager Steve Harrison. | Warren Aspinall, Paul Birch, Alan McInally |
| 16 January 1988 | Ipswich | H | 1–0 | — | Martin Keown |
| 23 January 1988 | Manchester City | A | 2–0 | 26 Jan 1988 – Aston Villa boost their Second Division promotion challenge with the £200,000 acquisition of highly rated Crewe Alexandra midfielder David Platt, 21. 31 Jan 1988 – Aston Villa have crept to the top of the Second Division, while Crystal Palace have risen to second place. Middlesbrough, Millwall and Blackburn Rovers occupy the play-off zone, while Bradford City have slid from second to sixth place in the space of a few weeks. Leicester City, relegated from the First Division last season, are now in the Second Division relegation play-off places. | Tony Daley, Garry Thompson |
| 6 February 1988 | Leicester | H | 2–1 | — | Mark Lillis, Allan Evans |
| 14 February 1988 | Middlesbrough | A | 1–2 | — | Tony Daley |
| 20 February 1988 | Blackburn Rovers | A | 2–3 | — | David Platt, Garry Thompson |
| 27 February 1988 | Plymouth Argyle | H | 5–2 | The Second Division promotion race sees Aston Villa and Blackburn Rovers level at the top of the table, with Millwall, Middlesbrough and Bradford City occupying the play-off places. | Stuart Gray, David Platt, Paul Birch, Garry Thompson |
| 5 March 1988 | Bournemouth | A | 2–1 | — | Tony Daley, David Platt |
| 12 March 1988 | Leeds United | H | 1–2 | — | Alan McInally |
| 19 March 1988 | Reading | A | 2–0 | — | Paul Birch, Garry Thompson |
| 26 March 1988 | Stoke City | H | 0–1 | Aston Villa remain top of the Second Division with a two-point margin over Blackburn Rovers, with the play-off places being occupied by Middlesbrough, Millwall and Bradford City. Leeds United, Crystal Palace and Stoke City remain in strong contention for promotion as well. | — |
| 2 April 1988 | Millwall | A | 1–2 | — | Garry Thompson |
| 4 April 1988 | Oldham Athletic | H | 1–2 | — | Stuart Gray |
| 9 April 1988 | Crystal Palace | A | 1–1 | — | David Platt |
| 23 April 1988 | Shrewsbury Town | H | 1–0 | 30 Apr 1988 – The promotion issues in the Second Division have yet to be confirmed, with just four points separating the top five clubs – Millwall, Aston Villa, Bradford City, Middlesbrough and Blackburn Rovers. | Warren Aspinall |
| 2 May 1988 | Bradford City | H | 1–0 | — | David Platt |
| 7 May 1988 | Swindon Town | A | 0–0 | — | — |
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