28 years ago - a low in our history

[Chico Hamilton III]

This was bad. I remember queing up outside Villa Park for hours to get tickets, 6 of us crammed into a mate's Mini and drove to Oxford, a packed, shit away end and Villa fans setting fire to their scarves and chucking them on the pitch at the final whistle

Football: Aldridge shines as Aston Villa are put to flight

13 March 1986
The Times

Oxford United ........ 2 Aston Villa .......... 1 (agg 4-3)

Oxford United were rewarded last night for all the fun and surprises they have given the Milk Cup competition during the past three seasons when they fittingly reached the climax of the last competition by that name. From their homely Manor Park Ground, the show moves to Wembley Stadium where Oxford, on April 20 before 100,000 people, will confront Queen's Park Rangers, the team now managed by the man who moulded Oxford - Jim Smith.
That will be an occasion of great emotion and even, dare one suggest, slightly divided loyalties deep down for Smith. Oxford have come a long way since they were known as Headington United just 26 years ago and Smith was responsible for accelerating their progress in recent years from the Third Division to the First. Maurice Evans, the new manager, must be applauded for maintaining the momentum in this competition at least but even he had to admit last night: 'By rights Jim should lead on both teams at Wembley. '
Prior to this achievement only the University team of this ancient city had set foot on the hallowed turf. Now the other 'Us' have earned the right by passing out against Aston Villa, three times winners of this league cup. For the Midlands this was the last chance to salvage some honour from the season. Now Villa, European Cup winners just four years ago, are left with a more momentous battle for their First Division lives.
Responsible for placing Graham Turner, the Villa manager, and his chairman, Doug Ellis, under even greater strain was that man Aldridge again. The prolific marksman, who scored a brace of goals in the first leg, turned provider last night setting up the second half goals of Phillips and Charles.
Villa, well aware of the goliaths, such as Manchester United and Arsenal who have perished on this forbidding little ground, started purposely enough and we were remained that what form they have shown has all been away from home. But Oxford were merely loading their sling. It seemed for a while that the giant might be laid to rest with little effort on their part when Elliott, Villa's expensive centre back, injured himself trying to catch the Oxford hare, Rhoades-Brown. But though he was carried off on a stretcher he returned right as rain.
In the 57th minute Aldridge nodded a deep ball from Hebbard to Phillips in yards of space and the little midfield player, who had prompted Oxford so intelligently throughout, drove the ball low past the unprotected Spink.
The goal merely encouraged Oxford to press forward and put the matter beyond doubt. Villa survived a fierce appeal for handball by Dorigo, but Oxford were not to be denied. And when Rhoades-Brown drove a free kick towards the far post in the 73rd minute Aldridge headed the ball back into the middle where Charles, restored to the team in the absence of the injured Hamilton, nudged in a header that proved to be decisive. An 87th minute consolation goal for Villa by Walters was too late to save a disastrous season. Oxford would do well to heed the experiences of last season's Milk Cup finalists and keep their celebrations short. Both Norwich and Sunderland were better placed in the league than Oxford and ended up being relegated.
OXFORD UNITED: A Judge; J Trewick, N Slatter, L Phillips, G Briggs, M Shotton, R Houghton, J Aldridge, J Charles, T Hebberd, P Rhoades-Brown
ASTON VILLA: N Spink; G Williams, A Dorigo, A Evans, P Elliott, D Glover, P Birch, P Kerr, A Gray, S Hodge, M Walters

[bob]

6 in a mini!

[He wears a magic hat]

That brings back memories.

Me and a mate bunked off school to go to that match.

Phoned my parents from a pay phone outside the ground to let them know where I was.

Let's just say it wasn't just the result that left me wounded.

My Dad told the headmaster what I had done and I got three lashes of the cane

[TopDeck113]

I was in my sandwich year working in Hull and took the day off to go. Trust me: Oxford to Hull is an interminable journey at the best of times.  In the early hours in old drafty British Rail carriages after a result like that is wrist-slittingly bad!

[Damo70]

Shit night in a shithole. I was fifteen and couldn't believe that less than four years after being champions of Europe we couldn't beat Oxford in a semi final. I have vague recollections of them waiting outside the away end for us. I couldn't believe they wanted a ruck on possibly the greatest night in their history. I just wanted to go home. I remember watching the final in a 'If only' mood.

[FranzBiberkopf]

It was proper grim.

Funny I thought the Oxford team was way stronger than it actually was. I've deluded myself these past 28 years that, yes we were bad that night, but at least we lost to a team that had decent players of the calibre of a young Ray Houghton and John Aldrige. But on reflection, those two aside - what a poor side they were.

[Flamingo Lane]

I distinctly recall the night of the first leg (2-2) for one reason only, that is, the dawning realisation  that I needed spectacles, as from the top half of the Holte I couldn't see the ball when it was in the Witton End half.  Even now, I remember saying to my dad that I thought the AV floodlights didn't seem to be as powerful as they used to be.  "Think you might need glasses, son" he said.

Funny, the memories that stay with you.

[FrankyH]

Got off the train at New St with my brother and Andy Kitson (RIP),and two of his mates  .Being a bit older and worldy wise I told them we would walk out the back of the station by the nightclubs.. Edwards, Booogies there was a load of blues (zulus)  ready to meet us.We all shit ourselves outnumbered and all being aged 13-17 against blues finest.

They got about 5 yards away from us before a meat wagon pulled to disperse them.
Chips at Marco's that night after the night bus !

[newtonsballs]

I distinctly recall the night of the first leg (2-2) for one reason only, that is, the dawning realisation  that I needed spectacles, as from the top half of the Holte I couldn't see the ball when it was in the Witton End half.  Even now, I remember saying to my dad that I thought the AV floodlights didn't seem to be as powerful as they used to be.  "Think you might need glasses, son" he said.

Funny, the memories that stay with you.

Memories like that are priceless

[Pete3206]

Wretched night

[Charlie8182]

I went to the 2-2 game at Villa Park, I hope at some stage the highlights do appear on Youtube as I was stood with my mates (aged 14 at the time) in the corner of the Holte End next to the Trinity Road seats and there were a number of close ups of us shown on TV.
Memories of this game include John Aldridge making it 2-2 with a penalty when we were still celebrating Stainrod putting us 2-1 in front and the big American flag (for some reason) in the Oxford End.
And only 23,000 for a semi final, a real sign of the times for 1985/86.

[PeterWithesShin]

And only 23,000 for a semi final, a real sign of the times for 1985/86.

A real sign of the times was we only had 2 league attendances higher than that. Manure (27K) small heath (26K).

[saunders_heroes]

I went to both legs. I remember we traveled to Oxford on a double decker bus which was wrecked on the way back. I think Walters got our consolation goal.

[paulcomben]

I also went to the home leg and stood high up in the Holte with two Uni pals. One an Oxford fan. When they scored, he poked me right in the kidney, which hurt a lot - in both ways. Nowadays, he is the bookish multi millionaire publisher boosted by the Dragon Tattoo rights. The lucky, lucky bastard.

[ez]

I went to both legs. I remember we traveled to Oxford on a double decker bus which was wrecked on the way back. I think Walters got our consolation goal.

I remember that. We got a free bus back to the station but some of the windows got kicked out and bus seats thrown out from the top deck. 2-1 makes it look close but we were rubbish that night.