44 Years ago today

[Bernie]

Villa 2 Manure 1, LC Semi-Final in front of 62,500, including a 16 year old me. All that can be said about this memorable match has probably said on here over the years but it needs marking again before the day is done.

[Holte132]

I remember it well! We were 3rd division and they were 1st. I listened to the match in my bedroom and jumped up and down yelling when our goals went in.  My aunt and uncle were staying with us for Christmas and were alarmed at all the noise! My mother calmly informed them that she thought the Villa must have scored!

[pooligan]

Just like the Liverpool 5-1 another game i was lucky to be at and will always live in my memory .In some ways it was probably a better result than the Liverpool one as we were a 3rd division side playing a United side filled with the likes of Best,Charlton and Kidd.There was was also a cup final at stake.

I can still picture Pat McMahon who along with Bruce Rioch was my favourite player scoring the winner and then for what seemed like ever,us holding on and praying for the final whistle.

The other thing i remember from that night,is all the aggro at Witton island and Witton station after the match.I lived at Erdington in them days and had to get past the station to get home.I was so happy that Villa were at Wembley but had to keep quiet until i got to the corner of Tame road before i could start singing.

Great days to be a Villa supporter!

[Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air]

[Virgil Caine]

This is 'The Game' for me. Although I was only 13 at the time I knew that this result was significant. We showed the football world that rumours of the death of AVFC were greatly exaggerated and this was one of the first steps on the recovery process. It was also the match when the noise was so loud and intense my hears buzzed for hours after, it seemed every Villa supporter that night roared the Villa on and waves of sound reverberated off each stand.

Truly, truly wonderful.

[nigel]

One of my top three games that I attended. The other two being, Liverpool 5-1 and Everton 3-2 League Cup Final at Old Trafford.
They will live long in my memory.

I wasn't in Rotterdam 

[usav]

Funny how colour TV had only made it as far north as Birmingham 

[DaveH1874]

44 Years ago wow!  I recall it well. Got back from a school trip, (Marsh Hill) to Austria in the morning aged 12.  Went with a few mates including Russell Dugdale, Jimmy Dugdale's son used to run the New Oscott Tavern, now Halls Garden Centre.  Remember an older kid on the trip, hardest kid in the school, had us polishing his Dr Martins for him!  Worn out , went straight to bed but couldn't sleep as Dad was taking me down Villa Park. Thanks Dad RIP. Women sat in front turned round to me at the end and said I won it for the Villa as I made so much noise!  Not sure about that but like to think I helped in some way.  Happy days indeed up there with League Cup Final against Norwich, first time at Wembley and of course Rotterdam

[class-of-82]

I was 11 at the time and even though my grandad took me to old Trafford for the 1st leg this was my first taste of a massive game at vp I was totally gobsmacked at the noise.my grandad took me to the front of the Holte told me to hold on to the railings bag of mint imperials in my pocket and huge rosette on my coat.
And the rest is carved in our history for ever to think that virtually the same Man U team won the European cup 2 years before.
Up there with the best nights ever at villa park if not the best.

[frankmosswasmyuncle]

I was 16 too Bernie - perfect age for such a momentous game and win.
I didn't miss many games that season, home or away, but this stands out as my best Villa game - ever!
Being in the Holte End that night was one of the best experiences of my life.
We beat the mighty Man United and fully deserved to as well!

[bob rowe]

I'd come out of hospital only the day before the game & was told not to go as the crush of the crowd might open the wound, ( burst appendix). Always cursed my rotten luck missing this one. Never forgotten the tension listening to it on radio.

[steamer]

Bernie,
It can never be mentioned enough. Whenever Villa fans of our generation get together and chew the fat it will be, "one of those games"

[Ron Manager]

Villa 2 Manure 1, LC Semi-Final in front of 62,500, including a 16 year old me. All that can be said about this memorable match has probably said on here over the years but it needs marking again before the day is done.

The greatest game I have ever seen Aston Villa play (and that includes the European Cup Final!) with the greatest atmosphere. Against the might of Best,Law,Charlton ,Crerand and Kidd the aristocrats of the third division came through when it mattered. 2-1

I think I might have cried as the final whistle went. That feeling will never be surpassed.

[Big Dick Edwards]

Not only were we in the Third Division at the time, they were Champions of Europe only two years before! And we did them over two legs remember. The away draw at Old Trafford is often overlooked.

[Ron Manager]

Not only were we in the Third Division at the time, they were Champions of Europe only two years before! And we did them over two legs remember. The away draw at Old Trafford is often overlooked.

We surprised them. They were not used to the fast skills of Pat MacMahon and the dribbling of Chico. I shall never forget when he dummied
George Best with Bestie then at the peak of his powers!