Under the management of Ron Atkinson, Manchester United made a reasonably respectable start to their 1984-85 First Division campaign.
They were unbeaten from their first eight games, winning three of those and drawing the other five to leave them in fourth spot and just two points behind leaders Tottenham Hotspur.
It meant that when they travelled to Birmingham to take on Aston Villa 31 years ago today, they did so with plenty of confidence. After all, while United were challenging at the top end of the table, Villa were down in 14th position with four defeats to their name.
Not only that, they also had a poor record against the Red Devils. Of the previous 13 meetings between the two teams dating back to 1977, Villa had come out on top on just two occasions.
But, ahead of this contest there was still plenty of optimism among the home faithful, thanks mainly to the loan arrival of Didier Six, who was making his first appearance in a Villa shirt following his triumph with France at Euro 1984.
It would take the winger a little under 20 minutes to make an impression on English football when he raced down the left wing to collect Colin Gibson's forward pass. Six's subsequent cross was perfect for Peter Withe, who saw his headed effort get the better of United goalkeeper Gary Bailey.
Then, just a few minutes later Bailey was beaten for a second time as Villa doubled their advantage. The visiting defenders were unable to clear Steve McMahon's lofted cross and when the ball dropped for Allan Evans, the Scottish centre-back sent a half-volley bobbling into the United net.
Now two goals to the good, Villa played with a real assurance and in particular Six, who was linking well central midfielder McMahon, was causing numerous problems.
However, it was not until the 56th minute that the home side were able to score a third goal and ensure that Atkinson's men would be tasting defeat for the first time.
A corner from Gordon Cowans was headed down by the unmarked Withe for Paul Rideout. Despite there being numerous United defenders in the vicinity, the young striker was afforded enough time to take one touch and then lift his effort into the roof of Bailey's goal.
As the match wore on United started to carve out the odd opening - the best of which Alan Brazil drove straight into the hands of Villa goalkeeper Mervyn Day.
It was the side that held the healthy three-goal margin that looked more likely to score again, though, with both Rideout and substitute Mark Walters failing to hit the target from decent positions.
Villa: Day; Williams, Evans, Ormsby, Gibson; Cowans, Birch, McMahon, Six (Walters); Withe, Rideout
United: Bailey; Duxbury, Moran, Hogg, Albiston; Strachan, Moses, Muhren, Olsen; Hughes, Brazil
Liam Apicella
