Villa v Liverpool late 70s/early 80s

[johnny from donny]

I was talking to my old man today & mentioned in passing remembering going to a game v Liverpool as a kid & him wearing a cowboy hat. He swears he didn't but I am sure a photo appeared in the Argus where the offending item can clearly be seen in the Trinity Road Stand. We won the match, but I wondered if anyone could point me in the right direction to find that photo or had it in an old scrapbook that they could scan & post on here. Sorry, I'm vague on the date, it definitely wasn't the 5-1 game. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[BC54 VFC]

If you were able to narrow down the date / season then there is a good a chance that I could help.

[johnny from donny]

Thanks, I think it was 1979; like I say, we definitely won. We were sat in the Lower Trinity

[Pete3206]

16th April 1979.  Villa won 3-1

[Pat McMahon]

I think this was the Easter Monday game and was notable as Liverpool conceded only 16 goals in winning the title (IIRC) and Allan Evans scored 2 of them in this game as a makeshift centre forward.  I remember one of his goals taking an eternity to cross the line as it spun away from Clemence- can't remember if it was a deflection or a mis-hit shot.

From memory this was a surprise win as we were nothing special that season. I can't remember any other home wins against them between the 5-1 in 1976 and the 2-0 win when we won the league.

[PGW]

16th April 1979.  Villa won 3-1

My 25th birthday - a lovely present!!!

[dave.woodhall]

I think this was the Easter Monday game and was notable as Liverpool conceded only 16 goals in winning the title (IIRC) and Allan Evans scored 2 of them in this game as a makeshift centre forward.  I remember one of his goals taking an eternity to cross the line as it spun away from Clemence- can't remember if it was a deflection or a mis-hit shot.

From memory this was a surprise win as we were nothing special that season. I can't remember any other home wins against them between the 5-1 in 1976 and the 2-0 win when we won the league.

That's not a bad record given that that they won the league & European Cup three times during those five seasons. 

[BC54 VFC]

Thanks, I think it was 1979; like I say, we definitely won. We were sat in the Lower Trinity

O.K., I shall look through my records over the weekend. If I have not reverted to you by, say, Monday evening then please 'PM' me as a reminder as I'm currently spending alot of time in Brum looking after elderly mum and parents in law.

[johnny from donny]

Cheers mate

[Pat McMahon]

I think this was the Easter Monday game and was notable as Liverpool conceded only 16 goals in winning the title (IIRC) and Allan Evans scored 2 of them in this game as a makeshift centre forward.  I remember one of his goals taking an eternity to cross the line as it spun away from Clemence- can't remember if it was a deflection or a mis-hit shot.

From memory this was a surprise win as we were nothing special that season. I can't remember any other home wins against them between the 5-1 in 1976 and the 2-0 win when we won the league.

That's not a bad record given that that they won the league & European Cup three times during those five seasons. 

Too right Dave, and as many wins in 5 seasons as we have managed against them in the last 15 years.

Jonnyfromdonny pointed out the Argus photo was from a Villa win and definitely not the 5-1, so I figured it must have been the 1979 game as I couldn't remember any others.

[BC54 VFC]

I have copies of three match reports for the game, from The Birmingham Post, Evening Mail and Daily Express; none from the Sports Argus bearing in mind the game was played on a Monday. Whilst the reports from the local papers each have three photos of the game, and all three from the Post have the Trinity Road Stand in the background, I cannot see any cowboy hats!

I am more than happy to copy the reports and send them to you, johnny from donny, if you'd like to PM me your address.

[dave.woodhall]

I have copies of three match reports for the game, from The Birmingham Post, Evening Mail and Daily Express; none from the Sports Argus bearing in mind the game was played on a Monday. Whilst the reports from the local papers each have three photos of the game, and all three from the Post have the Trinity Road Stand in the background, I cannot see any cowboy hats!

I am more than happy to copy the reports and send them to you, johnny from donny, if you'd like to PM me your address.

Might there have been a report in the next week's Argus?

[villan from luton]

I think this was the Easter Monday game and was notable as Liverpool conceded only 16 goals in winning the title (IIRC) and Allan Evans scored 2 of them in this game as a makeshift centre forward.  I remember one of his goals taking an eternity to cross the line as it spun away from Clemence- can't remember if it was a deflection or a mis-hit shot.

From memory this was a surprise win as we were nothing special that season. I can't remember any other home wins against them between the 5-1 in 1976 and the 2-0 win when we won the league.

Not having a dig mate, but think it was John Gregory playing number 9 and scoring two goals and Liverpool I thought only conceded 14 goals that season, but I am pist and probably thinking we only used 14 players when we won the league. 14 gaols conceded seems madness

[dave.woodhall]

Evans scored one and Gregory was number eight.

[BC54 VFC]

I have copies of three match reports for the game, from The Birmingham Post, Evening Mail and Daily Express; none from the Sports Argus bearing in mind the game was played on a Monday. Whilst the reports from the local papers each have three photos of the game, and all three from the Post have the Trinity Road Stand in the background, I cannot see any cowboy hats!

I am more than happy to copy the reports and send them to you, johnny from donny, if you'd like to PM me your address.

Might there have been a report in the next week's Argus?

I've looked, Dave, but whilst I have the Argus report for the Norwich away game which we played on the following Saturday, 21st, I have nothing else from that day's Argus so think it highly unlikely.