Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Villa Memories => Topic started by: Richie on July 20, 2011, 10:28:28 PM
-
Villa Park, January 1983
The dirtiest bunch of animals I have ever witnessed. That said, the blood on the Barca shirts shows that our lads were no angels either ! But to say we were provoked is an understatement.
The match finished with our 10 against their 9 and I think its fair to say that in the modern era the match would have been abandoned due to Barca being reduced to fewer than 7 men (e.g. witness the keepers foul on Sid following the penalty, followed by Ken McNaught's legendary shadow boxing !).
Unfortunately foreign commentary but doesn't detract from great coverage of an unforgettable night.
-
Great footage, but just a quick question: I've noticed that in a lot of the footage I've seen of games from this era the lower north stand is almost always empty. Even in vital games during the run in to the title in 80/81. Is this because of a lack of away fans or was it just because we couldn't sell games out back then even though we were winning things?
-
I was at that game and don't think that I've ever seen the footage so thanks for posting.
A few observations. I recall Barcelona's full backs were really pushed inside. I remember thinking that if we were to use the sub Mark Walters then he would get in behind them, which is exactly what happened and we got a pen. There was acres of space down their left. First and only time that I've called the tactics right!
I remember leaving the ground having seen another trophy safely secured (albeit a minor one) and looking forward to the next one. If you'd have told me that in the next 28 years of following the Villa we'd win two trophies I'd have laughed in your face.
I recall that Allan Evans got sent off late on for an inocuous challenge and was banned for the Juve game a few weeks later. Also, wasn't Maradonna one of the unused Barca subs and asked for Gary Shaw's shirt at the end?
Happy days and what a great kit!
-
Witton End was away fans only. There were about 3 sections and most teams only filled the 1 or 2 sections at most. Only exceptions being the local derbies (although not always with Albion & Wolves and definitely not with Coventry) and Man United and Liverpool.
It was a no go area for home fans.
-
Great footage, but just a quick question: I've noticed that in a lot of the footage I've seen of games from this era the lower north stand is almost always empty. Even in vital games during the run in to the title in 80/81. Is this because of a lack of away fans or was it just because we couldn't sell games out back then even though we were winning things?
The lower north stand was the away "end" so for domestic games it was for visiting fans only. It was open to Villa fans for a couple of European games but not many. Some teams brought about 3 coachloads (Palace as I recall), others as you would expect packed the place out.
In fact during that whole period we rarely sold out, capacity was 48,000 and we averaged somewhere in the late 30's.
-
Great footage, but just a quick question: I've noticed that in a lot of the footage I've seen of games from this era the lower north stand is almost always empty. Even in vital games during the run in to the title in 80/81. Is this because of a lack of away fans or was it just because we couldn't sell games out back then even though we were winning things?
The lower north stand was the away "end" so for domestic games it was for visiting fans only. It was open to Villa fans for a couple of European games but not many. Some teams brought about 3 coachloads (Palace as I recall), others as you would expect packed the place out.
In fact during that whole period we rarely sold out, capacity was 48,000 and we averaged somewhere in the late 30's.
Even the home stands? Surprises me... I wasn't born until '85 but before watching the 80/81 Season Review DVD I always imagined the ground would be packed to the rafters every week if we ever had as a successful period as the early 80's!
-
Great footage, but just a quick question: I've noticed that in a lot of the footage I've seen of games from this era the lower north stand is almost always empty. Even in vital games during the run in to the title in 80/81. Is this because of a lack of away fans or was it just because we couldn't sell games out back then even though we were winning things?
The lower north stand was the away "end" so for domestic games it was for visiting fans only. It was open to Villa fans for a couple of European games but not many. Some teams brought about 3 coachloads (Palace as I recall), others as you would expect packed the place out.
In fact during that whole period we rarely sold out, capacity was 48,000 and we averaged somewhere in the late 30's.
Even the home stands? Surprises me... I wasn't born until '85 but before watching the 80/81 Season Review DVD I always imagined the ground would be packed to the rafters every week if we ever had as a successful period as the early 80's!
The crowds were good considering the economic conditions of the time. Towards the end of the 80/81 season the Villa sections tended to be full but the visitors didn't always bring that many.
-
World of sport big daddy wonderful commentary.
-
Barca were animals that night, and the Spanish national team around that time were too.
Only a few months later Sid has his leg broken by a vicious tackle in a pre-season friendly in Spain.
The Barca team that visited in the UEFA Cup a few years earlier were a much better side, with Cruyff and Neeskens.
An extra bit of trivia here is that on the same night we beat Barca to win the European Super Cup the Atari 6-a-side competition at the NEC was won by Ron Saunders' Small Heath mob. They beat Ipswich in the final.
How the mighty had fallen - less than two years after fighting it out for the league title, Saunders and Ipswich were now reduced to the NEC while the Villa were busy conquering Europe again!
-
Too young to remember that match but you could see what a shit ref he was when he didn't blow for encroachment by the Barca player for the free kick. Admittedly it led to our first goal but still, he was a yard away when it was hit and none of our players had touched the ball.
-
Thank's for posting that Richie It's good to have beating Barcelona on our cv just wished I would have been there.
-
A great night and a wonderful memory and Yes Barca were easily the dirtiset team I've seen down VP.
Having said that, Peter Withe breaking their Centre Halves nose as our first goal goes in, his face was a right mess afterwards was poetic justice. Ironic and they licked lumps out of us and play acted all night yet when we really did put it about the Ref totally missed it and we scored. ;D
Their keeper was a complete nutter too.
-
Barca were animals that night, and the Spanish national team around that time were too.
Only a few months later Sid has his leg broken by a vicious tackle in a pre-season friendly in Spain.
The Barca team that visited in the UEFA Cup a few years earlier were a much better side, with Cruyff and Neeskens.
An extra bit of trivia here is that on the same night we beat Barca to win the European Super Cup the Atari 6-a-side competition at the NEC was won by Ron Saunders' Small Heath mob. They beat Ipswich in the final.
How the mighty had fallen - less than two years after fighting it out for the league title, Saunders and Ipswich were now reduced to the NEC while the Villa were busy conquering Europe again!
Sid's leg was broken against a Mexican side. I think we were playing in a pre-season tournament. There was footage at the time - it was a shocking tackle.
That moment accelerated the decline of that great side as he missed most of the 83/84 season. I think a few weeks later Ian Bowyer tried to pick Gary Shaw up after he took a knock at the City Ground and pretty much finished his career.
It was pretty much impossible for Tony Barton to replace players of that quality.
As for the Barcelona game, that was one of my favourite Gary Shaw goals. He was an instinctive and brilliant finisher. Although that gate was only around 32,000, the Holte End was heaving that night.
-
I love it when their defender who'd already been booked, jumps up and catches the ball with both hands. When he gets sent off the commentator says that it's a harsh decision!!
Nice to know commentators in those days hated us too.
-
I remember after the penalty went in, their goalkeeper kicked Sid into the net and the ran up to the ref and dropped his shorts.
He got a yellow card
-
Remember well after Sid was kicked into the net Ken McNaught's mocking 'fighting' stance to the goalkeeper.
Great night, Barca were indeed animals though.
-
A fantastic night.
After celebrating Shaw's goal, I remember noticing I had lost my watch (digital, no less) and thinking my dad would kill me.
Amazingly, amongst all the legs and feet up at the back of the Holte End I managed to find it.
-
Also, wasn't Maradonna one of the unused Barca subs and asked for Gary Shaw's shirt at the end?
no way!!! is that true?
-
Barca were animals that night, and the Spanish national team around that time were too.
Only a few months later Sid has his leg broken by a vicious tackle in a pre-season friendly in Spain.
Wasn't it against Athletico Madrid and the player who did it was Mexican?
-
Also, wasn't Maradonna one of the unused Barca subs and asked for Gary Shaw's shirt at the end?
no way!!! is that true?
No. He was ill with hepatitis.
-
Barca were animals that night, and the Spanish national team around that time were too.
Only a few months later Sid has his leg broken by a vicious tackle in a pre-season friendly in Spain.
Really? Then it can only have been
http://www.bdfutbol.com/t/t1983-847.html
Hugo Sánchez.
Wasn't it against Athletico Madrid and the player who did it was Mexican?
-
I think the team were named FC America or something like that.
-
This was the first game I stood on the Holte, i'd always been in the seats with the rest of the family before this. I just remember thinking we'd never score despite dominating and that the Holte seemed absolutely massive to little young me.
-
Since I started going in 1979 I have never seen a dirtier side than the Barcelona team that night. I remember the Albion being a bit naughty in a league cup game in 1984 but nothing really comes close to that night. I remember the Noses winning the Attari soccer six at the NEC the same night (surely the only time two teams from the same city have won a trophy in that city on the same night?) and Maradona being out with Heppatitus and not having a clue what the Super Cup looked like until Ken McNaught lifted what looked like a school prefect of the year shield. I think they've had a proper cup made since. Wonder what the Attari trophy looked like?
-
First time I've seen the highlights from the game, that elbow from Withey was a classic, really caught him a beaut. Great night, we left it late but we deserved the win. We just never knew when we were beaten and it's tragic that we never built on that side. Barca really were dirty bastards, the worst I've ever seen against the Villa.
-
I agree Barcelona is the dirtest team ever I have seen. I wonder what it will be like if Barcelona of early 80s play FC Porto in last few years. It will make a Ice Hockey match look like Teddy Bear Picnic.
It is amazing to see the different of Barcelona in 80s and modern team.
-
It would be nice to see what those thugs in Small Heath or Leeds of the 70s would do if they play Barcelona of early 80s.
-
Cheers for posting that footage. I was sat in the lower trinity 1 row from the pitch along with my mom and cousin. Barcelona tried to kick us off the pitch all night and were the dirtiest team I have ever seen at Villa Park. I recall a challenge in front of us were one of their players got a shove in the back (possibly by A.Evans) and ended up head first over the hordings. Punches were suddenly coming over my head from behind as some folk tried to give him a slap.
The blokes face was a picture after Withe floored him as Shaw scored. They deserved all they got.
I still have the press cuttings/match reports in a scrap book.
-
Also, wasn't Maradonna one of the unused Barca subs and asked for Gary Shaw's shirt at the end?
no way!!! is that true?
No. He was ill with hepatitis.
He did ask for his shirt though. Shaw has told me that himself.
-
I think the team were named FC America or something like that.
Probably Club America - reportedly the most hated team in Mexico.
-
Here's Barcelona playing the beautiful game against Athletic Bilbao in 1984.
http://www.ligafutbol.net/pelea-athletic-barca-final-copa-del-rey-1984/
Maradona didn't have hepatitis that night. Neither did Paco Clos, who manages an even better flying kick than Dieguito.
-
Love the footage, aahhh 80's football.
-
Ken McNaught was guest of honour at our Lions Club summer bbq, and he spoke about that game, amongst other things.
The guy on the floor was the centre half called Miguelie or something like that, and he was winning everything in the air.
Ken said he mentioned to Withey, that they had to sort this out, Withey told Ken, he would sort it!!!!
Hence, when the ball breaks to Shaw for the 1st goal, he was on the floor!!!!
-
Great team, great game, great kit.
My Grandad (God rest his) took me to the European nights, glory days.........
-
I've got a dvd of the whole game somewhere. Dirtiest team i've seen at villa park. The Super Cup wasn't even a cup at all, it was a plaque.