Aston Villa had launched a £10000 advertising campaign to attract bigger crowds in their pursuit for the premier league title. And they had also pledged three toddler beds to Sutton’s Good Hope Hospital if the Villa park attendance figure topped 30000 against Everton later that week.
Manager Ron Atkinson said “When we played Middlesborough with the chance to go top, we had only 20000 and I find that a puzzle. I have always believed that Villa being successful will get the fans flocking in every week. If we are going to be as big as we want to be, we need maximum attendances at Villa Park. So Bring your mates, get the family involved, and let’s get some Villa-mania going.”