Former manager passes away

Villa are mourning the passing of another great after it was announced Vic Crowe has passed away.

Former Villa player and manager Crowe, 76, lost his battle with a long illness yesterday – the same day news broke of the death of 1957 FA Cup-winning captain Johnny Dixon.

Crowe, capped 16 times by Wales, joined Villa in 1951 and eventually succeeded Danny Blanchflower at right-half.

He missed the 1957 FA Cup Final due to injury but captained the side to the Second Division title in 1960 and League Cup Final success in 1961.

Glamorgan-born Crowe took charge of Villa in 1970 but could not prevent their relegation to the third tier, he led them to the League Cup final the following season and a record-breaking Division Three title triumph in 1972 before his sacking two years later.