For those of you who think Barcelona have always played the beautiful game.....

[Richie]

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.

[VillaBoy_23]

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?

[Villan For Life]

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!

[Richie]

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.

[Villan For Life]

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. 

[VillaBoy_23]

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!

[Villan For Life]

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.

[bertlambshank]

World of sport big daddy wonderful commentary.

[DeKuip]

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!

[Somniloquism]

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.

[darren woolley]

Thank's for posting that Richie It's good to have beating Barcelona on our cv just wished I would have been there.

[OzVilla]

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. 

Their keeper was a complete nutter too.

[nick harper]

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.

[ADVILLAFAN]

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.

[UsualSuspect]

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