Aston Villa return to Champions League primed to ruffle feathers again

Villa's 1982 European Cup final triumph against Bayern Munich still ranks as one of the most remarkable conquests in the history of the competition. Just five years ago, it was impossible for Villa fans to dream of repeating that kind of iconic victory with their team languishing in English football's second tier.

But, revitalised by boss Unai Emery since his arrival in 2022, Aston Villa unexpectedly finished fourth in the Premier League last season to secure their first Champions League appearance since the 1982-83 campaign.

Emery's side make their long-awaited return to Europe's elite club competition against Young Boys in Switzerland on Tuesday, before a mouth-watering reunion with Bayern at Villa Park on October 2. As well as the Bayern clash, it is fitting that Juventus will visit on November 27 after the Italian side extinguished Villa's last European Cup campaign in the 1983 quarter-finals.

The explosion of joy which greeted confirmation of Villa's Champions League qualification released decades of pent-up frustration at their steep decline since that epic shock victory against Bayern in Rotterdam. Villa were holding their annual awards night in May when top four rivals Tottenham lost to Manchester City, triggering wild celebrations as Emery and his players sprayed champagne over each other.

"Nobody expected us to be there but we believed in ourselves and believed in our dream," Villa defender Lucas Digne said, while team-mate Diego Carlos added: "After more than four decades we are back in the Champions League!" Prince William, a noted Villa fan, gave the royal seal of approval, saying: "We are Champions League! A historic season and an amazing achievement."

- Astonishing impact -

Now Emery has to ensure Villa do not suffer the kind of hangover that haunted Newcastle last term, when their first Champions League campaign for 20 years ended in a group stage exit that derailed the rest of the season. Emery has the track-record to suggest he will not be phased by juggling the exhausting demands of Premier League and Champions League action.

The former Paris Saint-Germain and Sevilla boss will be managing his sixth club in the Champions League, having transformed Villa from relegation candidates into a Premier League force. But even a manager of Emery's quality might struggle to emulate Villa's astonishing march to European glory in 1982.

Just a year after being crowned surprise English champions, Villa made a stunning debut in the European Cup, sweeping to the final with wins over Valur, BFC Dynamo, Dynamo Kiev and Anderlecht. Villa's success was all the more unlikely because in February of that season, their title-winning manager Ron Saunders quit over a contract dispute.

Saunders' assistant Tony Barton took over and calmly guided Peter Withe, Tony Morley, Dennis Mortimer and company to the final. Villa were underdogs against a star-studded Bayern side boasting the likes of Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and Paul Breitner.

On a balmy spring evening at De Kuip, Villa looked doomed when goalkeeper Jimmy Rimmer came off with a neck injury, forcing untested Nigel Spink into action. But Spink, who had made only one appearance for the club, produced a series of superb saves before Withe poked in Morley's cross in the 67th minute to send Villa into dreamland.  Wearing a disbelieving grin, Villa captain Mortimer lifted the trophy as Barton hailed "the most important day in the history of the club".

But, while Villa went on to beat Barcelona in the Super Cup the following season, their bubble quickly burst. Barton left in 1984 and, just five years after conquering Europe, Villa's dismantled squad were relegated from the top-flight in 1987.

After a long road to redemption, in their 150th anniversary season, Villa are finally back among the elite. Bayern, Juventus and the rest of Europe's super-powers would be wise not to underestimate them.

 

May 14, 2024