After starting our  Europa League campaign with a 1-0 win against Bologna, this Thursday we make an emotional return to Rotterdam. In this European Throwbacks, we take a look at how Aston Villa got the opportunity to get to Rotterdam in 1982, with one match and one chance to change the club history forever and to win that star for our badge! There are highs, lows and plenty of twists and turns. All part of being an Aston Villa fan. Enjoy!

Final Piece Of Jigsaw

In Summer of 1980, Ron Saunders was again gearing up his team to win silverware for first time since the League Cup in 1977. Aston Villa had been fairly consistent as far as league finishes since that success- 8th (twice) and 7th before the 1980/81 season. Saunders was certainly not afraid to make changes which saw many popular figures leave such as John Gregory, John Gidman, John Deehan and the most expensive player back in 1979- Andy Gray. He left Villa because he wanted to ‘win things’. How did that work for you, Andy?!

Gray’s departure to Wolverhampton Wanders for over £1.4M, left a vacancy up front to play with the young promising Gary Shaw. The final piece of the jigsaw had been found, from Newcastle United at £500,000 and his name was Peter Withe.

Withe was a strong, tough forward with an eye for goal and was able to hold the ball up to bring others into play. He could also handle pressure from defenders. Two years before he had been part of the Nottingham Forest team that had stormed to the first division title under Brian Clough after winning promotion. Now Saunders was hoping he could do the same with this exciting Aston Villa team.

Task Ahead

Aston Villa would be looking for their first title since 1910 but the competition from other teams meant this would be very tough. The most obvious competition would come from Liverpool, who were defending champions and were the team of the seventies winning the title on 5 occasions. Ironically the last two successes came after home victories over Villa.

The others included an exciting Ipswich Town team that had many internationals brought  together by Bobby Robson, Nottingham Forest who had won successive European Cups after league success in 1978 and possible challenges by teams consistent in cup competitions such as Arsenal, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur.

For all you youngsters, asking about Manchester City & Chelsea. Manchester City would go through a transformational period under Malcolm Allison and Chelsea were in the 2nd division. 

Promising Signs

At the end of 1980, Aston Villa found themselves right in the mix just behind Liverpool and Ipswich Town. They faced Liverpool in early 1981 at Villa Park, looking to get the edge over the defending champions. Aston Villa pulled off one of their best performances of the season with goals from Withe and captain Dennis Mortimer sealing a 2-0 win. Liverpool’s inconsistent form in the second half of the season made it a straight two horse race between Villa and Ipswich.

Crunch Time

The two tussled and changed places consistency but Villa looked to have the edge going into what many thought would be the title decider at Villa Park on Tuesday 14th April 1981.

Ipswich were Villa’s bogey team having secured 1-0 wins at Portman Road in the League back in September and in 3rd round of FA Cup. Ipswich had to come back to Villa Park after losing there the previous Saturday in the FA Cup Semi-Final to Manchester City, now managed by John Bond.

These kind of games are not just about who can make the most chances but who can make the least mistakes. Unfortunately on the night, Villa made two. Firstly Ken McNaught getting intercepted by Alan Brazil to give Ipswich a half time lead and Des Bremner‘s misplaced pass to Eric Gates who doubled their advantage after the break. Despite Gary Shaw finding the net, Ipswich won the game and now they were one point behind with a game in hand.

When Ron Saunders was asked by BBC commentator Barry Davies about it being all to play for, he replied ‘I say it is, do you wanna bet against us?’. This would be a turning point.

The Run In

Aston Villa responded in the next three games picking up 5 points out of 6 including a 3-0 win in the final home game of the season against Middlesbrough. Ipswich had been beaten twice but a win in the ‘Old Farm Derby’ over local rivals Norwich City kept their hopes alive.

So going into the final Saturday of the season on the 2nd May, Aston Villa were four points ahead of Ipswich, who still had a game in hand. This by the way was the last season were it was 2 points for a win.

Final Day

The situation was simple for Villa. Avoid defeat at Arsenal and the title was there. A defeat and two wins for Ipswich, would see the title go on goal difference to East Anglia instead.

Aston Villa had been fairly consistent with very few blips but this would be one of their worst performances of the season. Two first half goals with Willie Young and Brian McDermott saw Arsenal coast to an easy 2-0 win.

Now attention was turned to Middlesbrough, where Ipswich were leading 1-0. Then stepped up Bozidar Jankovic. The Yugoslav Striker scored the equaliser, as Villa fans erupted on the North Banks of London. He scored again in what proved to be his last game in England and The Villa fans went crazy again. The joke at the time was that Jankovic should be given the Freedom of Birmingham for his efforts!

Celebration Time

There was no Ipswich reply, Villa won the league and our first title since 1910. There was two standout  statistics out of this season- firstly Villa were unbeaten in all their Midlands Derbies. Impressive as there were 8 teams to play in the division compare to this season, with just two Midlands team to face.

The second is something we take for granted and will never see again. Aston Villa won the title with just 14 players, in the age where there was just one sub allowed compared to being able to make 5 out of 9 in Premier League today.

Amazing days ahead with European Cup campaign to look forward to the following season.

The Defence

Aston Villa kept faith with the squad ahead of the 1981-82 season, which saw them share the Charity Shield with 2-2 draw at Wembley with FA Cup winners Tottenham Hotspur with Withe scoring twice.

Now for the defence of the title, which saw them face another Midlands team but a newly promoted one Notts County at Villa Park. Surely we would start with a win? well, no. A 1-0 defeat which would see inconsistent form leading into their first ever European Cup game and their first in Europe since the heartbreak in Barcelona in 1978.

Good Early Start

In the days when the European Premier competition was only available to champions, Villa started their challenge against Icelandic champions Valur at Villa Park. It couldn’t have got better with a goal from Tony Morley and a brace from Terry Donovan and Peter Withe sealing a 5-0 win and a passage into next round.

A 2-0 win in Iceland with Gary Shaw scoring a brace, sealed a 7-0 aggregate win. So a good early start but the next test would be a lot harder.

Touch And Go

Aston Villa now faced a trip over the Berlin border which still existed in those days to play East Germany side Dinamo Berlin. A tough task ahead but Morley’s thunder strike saw Villa take the lead. Dinamo Berlin equalised and had the opportunity to take the lead from the penalty spot.

Jimmy Rimmer saved it and the follow ups to keep the game at 1-1. Then right at the end, Villa broke away from defending a corner. The man in possession was Tony Morley, who ran the length of pitch to score the winner and sealed a 2-1 win going into 2nd leg.

The second leg on 4th November and Villa just needed to hold on to make it to Quarter-Finals  in the Spring of 1982. Things didn’t start well with Dinamo Berlin took the lead and the scores were level.

Villa hold advantage of Away goals rule, A rule which would harm us in many campaigns to come. Berlin kept pushing on but Villa just held on to progress to make the Quarter-Finals.

This would be the positive thing in what  was proving to be a disappointing defence of our league crown into 1982 but things can’t get worse, or could they?

End Of An Era

Then came the news that shocked the Football world on 9th February 1982, Ron Saunders resigned as Manager. It became apparent that things weren’t right behind the scenes. In his tenure, he worked under three different chairmen with Ron Bendell and board having a disagreement over his contract.

It would be even more of a shock that shortly afterwards he rocked up at Birmingham City. Now Villa had to find a replacement to take on the rest of the season including a mouthwatering Quarter Final against Dinamo Kiev.

The replacement was within and in house, with the head scout Tony Barton given the opportunity to stabilise the season and make history for Villa. How would he get on?

Different Times

Barton’s first big test was a trip to Kiev, at that time still part of the former Soviet Union, and the experiences for Villa players was not great. Poor food, horrible beds and pests hanging around, yuck! Aston Villa knew they had to withhold extreme pressure from Kiev, who were very strong at home.

Attack after attack and one goal disallowed for Kiev but Villa held on. This was a precious 0-0 draw so now all we had to do was to finish the job at Villa Park.

The second leg saw a very different Aston Villa performance. We went on the offensive and delivered. Two first half goals by Gary Shaw and Ken McNaught were enough to see Villa progress into the Semi-Finals to play Belgian giants Anderlecht.

The other Semi-Final was between Bayern Munich and CSKA Sofia who ended Liverpool’s defence of the trophy in the previous round.

Biggest Night At Villa Park

The first leg was at Villa Park and Aston Villa would be looking for a good advantage before the second leg. The goal came from the explosive play of Tony Morley to give Villa a slender advantage going into the second leg.

The second leg was a good open game and both sides were a credit to their clubs. Sadly some Villa fans were not, causing trouble – it wasn’t the first time English fans caused violence and sadly not the last.

In one moment, a Villa fan actually stood still in the goal area with Anderlecht squandering a golden chance to equalise. Villa still had chances of their own and Peter Withe had a goal ruled out for offside. It was very nervy end but Villa held on to a 0-0 draw to reach the Final.

There was some doubt about the result and whether Aston Villa were going to be thrown out of the competition. In the end the club had a hefty fine and were forced to play their next game at Villa Park without supporters.

Chance To Make History

At the time English sides had never had it so good in the European Cup. After Manchester United winning in 1968, it took 9 years for another English side to win the European Cup in Liverpool. They defended it a year later and Nottingham Forest matched the ach  before Liverpool regained it in 1981.

Aston Villa had the chance to make it 6 in a row and for Tony Barton to join pin a small elite of Managers to win- Matt Busby, Bob Paisley and Brian Clough.

Aston Villa’s form in the league continue to be inconsistent but we ended the league campaign with a 3-0 win over Swansea City at Villa Park and finished in 11th place. Now to the Final.

One Night In Rotterdam

26th May 1982 and the scene was set. The De Kuip Stadium in Rotterdam and the mighty Bayern Munich from West Germany, who had won the trophy in 3 successive seasons in the 1970s.

Aston Villa were playing in their away kit of White with claret stripes and things didn’t start too well. Goalkeeper Jimmy Rimmer was suffering with Shoulder problems but made it to the Final. He didn’t last long in the Final and had to be replaced with a young Goalkeeper, Nigel Spink,  who had only made one previous appearance for the club, back in 1979.

Bayern Munich pushed on, sniffing blood but Spink withheld every shot and Villa defence held strong but for how long?

Aston Villa started to grow in confidence as the game progressed and then came the 67th minute. That moment as described by ITV commentator Brian Moore-

“Shaw, Williams prepared for to venture down the left. There’s a good ball in for Tony Morley. Oh, it must be and it is! It’s Peter Withe.”

Now Aston Villa had something to hold on to and kept pushing towards the end, Bayern Munich did find the net but the scream on the telly by Co-commentator Brian Clough was “Offside”. He was right, it was offside and Villa held on. They had done it!

Greatest Night

The players were full of celebrations as Dennis Mortimer went first to collect the trophy and held it proudly in the sky. Aston Villa, European Champions and back the next season to defend the trophy. We now conclude with the heroes of 1982, from one night in Rotterdam. What a night!

Heroes Of 82

Jimmy Rimmer– Rimmer collected his second European Cup medal that night despite only playing a combined 11 minutes (he was unused substitute for Manchester United in 1968). One of Aston Villa’s greatest goalkeepers who arrived from Arsenal in 1977. He would stay for one more season before departing to Swansea City.

Kenny Swain– Started his career as a winger but then became a reliable right back, joining from Chelsea in 1978. He made the PFA team of year twice (1980/81 & 1981/82) and left for a new challenge at Nottingham Forest later that year.

Ken McNaught– Joining from Everton in 1977, McNaught formed a reliable centre back pairing with Allan Evans and scored many valuable goals. He left for West Bromwich Albion the following year.

Allan Evans– One of many Scottish players to Aston Villa, joining from Dunfermline Athletic in 1977. He made 350 appearances and played under 5 Managers before leaving on a free transfer to Leicester City in 1989. Evans would return to Aston Villa as Assistant Manager to Brian Little in 1994.

Gary Williams– A Aston Villa Youth player who made his first team debut in 1978 and was a very reliable squad member who often rotated the left back position with Colin Gibson. After 324 appearances, he left for Leeds United in 1987.

Dennis Mortimer (C)– One of Aston Villa’s greatest ever captains who joined from Coventry City on Christmas Eve 1975. He made 406 appearances over 10 year spell before leaving for Brighton & Hove Albion in 1985.

Gordon Cowans– Another outstanding talent from youth team, commonly known as Sid. He made his first team debut in 1976 and scored many vital goals in his 286 appearances. He left for a new career in Italy at A.S. Bari, with a buy back option installed. To Aston Villa fans’ delight, Graham Taylor activated this in 1988 and he once again proved to be a valuable assist to the team. After 3 years, Ron Atkinson sold him to Blackburn Rovers in 1991 before resigning him on a free transfer in 1993. He left for a final time to Derby County in 1994, making 415 appearances in total. He also spent time as part of the coaching setup over 18 year period.

Des Bremner– Another star Scot, who joined Villa from Hibernian in 1979. He was tough Midfielder and great passer of the ball. After 5 successful years, he rejoined Ron Saunders to rivals Birmingham City.

Peter Withe– The goalscorer of the night and what a signing he was. 74 goals from 1980 to 1985 before leaving for Sheffield United. He rejoined Aston Villa in Josef Vengelos coaching setup in the 1990-91 season.

Gary Shaw– Another product of Villa Youth team, who might to fill the big shoes of Deehan, Gray and Little. The explosive blonde bombshell with an eye for goal, who would have done more if he wasn’t blighted with injuries after European Cup success. He eventually left after 10 years in 1988. He was the first member of that team to pass away on 15th September 2024 after suffering from a serious head injury.

Tony Morley– Morley was one of the most exciting wingers of his generation, and enjoyed a ‘frosty’ relationship with fellow Scouser Ron Saunders. He was creator and goalscorer of so many great goals during his four year spell at Aston Villa. He would be unsettled and eventually left for West Bromwich Albion in 1983.

Subs

Pat Heard- Good Professional who joined from Everton in 1979 in part exchange deal for John Gidman. He helped a young boy, our future Gaffer Dean Smith, to go on the team bus to parade the trophy in Birmingham. After just 24 appearances, he left for Sheffield Wednesday in 1983.

Andy Blair– He was signed just after league triumph in 1981 from Coventry City. He made 33 appearances before leaving for Sheffield Wednesday in 1984. He rejoined Villa in 1986 and stayed for two years before leaving for Barnsley.

David Geddis– Joining from Ipswich Town in 1979, Geddis was a good backup Striker who scored crucial goals in the title winning season at home to Birmingham City & Southampton. He left for Barnsley in 1983.

Colin Gibson– Gibson broke through from the youth team in 1978 and won many trophies in his 7 year spell. After 185 appearances, he left for Manchester United in 1985.

Nigel Spink- The only Sub to come on to play and what an impact he made in only his 2nd ever appearance. Spink would eventually become the number 1 the following season and despite plenty of competition for the gloves, he made 361 appearances over 19 year stint at the club. His final one was as outfield player, replacing Ian Taylor at QPR in December 1995! He left for West Bromwich Albion the following year.

Manager

Tony Barton– What start to his managerial career! After 3 months, he was European Cup winner. He followed up with European Super Cup and a 6th place finish in 1982/83 season. He was sadly unable to maintain this form and left in 1984 after mid table finish. He would go on to manage Northampton Town. Barton died of a Heart Attack on 20th August 1993.

Next Edition- Difficult Times