50 years ago today

[castlefields_villan]

Anyone else in the 47,000 plus crowd on that unbelievable night when we beat Arsenal 2-0 in the FA Cup 4th round replay - Morgan and Evans and a hostile atmosphere which Bob Wilson was on the receiving end of after his part in Sammy's sending off in the first game. 

[dave shelley]

I was, having been at the original tie at Highbury.

[castlefields_villan]

I've searched You Tube high and low but can't find any footage of either game - anybody had better luck ?

[Villa Lew]

Yeah I was at both matches, VP was bouncing that night. The country was having a power crisis and Villa had to hire 2 generators in order to get the match played under floodlights.

[Scratchins]

I was there. The match report was on the lines of 'Wilson faced the Holte End where 10,000 pairs of eyes and 20,000 raised fingers greeted him' To say he was put out was an understatement.

[castlefields_villan]

oh yes - I'd forgotten about that - 3 day week  etc.. etc..

I was working in an accounts office at the time and as we could only have heating and lighting on 3 days we had to do long days Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday and short days Thursday and Friday to get our 38 hours in.

[papa lazarou]

Another one here, at both games. It was a thoroughly deserved win as well, I don't think Arsenal threatened much at all.

[castlefields_villan]

I'm sure the support was a key factor in the home game - and definitely one of those occasions when kicking towards the Holte End first half worked in our favour.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Anyone else in the 47,000 plus crowd on that unbelievable night when we beat Arsenal 2-0 in the FA Cup 4th round replay - Morgan and Evans and a hostile atmosphere which Bob Wilson was on the receiving end of after his part in Sammy's sending off in the first game. 

I'll never believe there was only 47,000 there that night. It was my first time in the Holte and as a nipper it was bloody scary as we were packed in like sardines, I was often either feet not touching the ground or trying not to fall under and get trampled to death. Trying to get into the Hawthorns was a piece of piss in comparison. It was a miracle I survived and saw Sammy Morgan's diving header.

[trinityoap]

Was at both games. Fair to say that Wilson was not the most popular player on the pitch at Villa Park. It felt like more than 47000.I missed the last few minutes at Highbury as I was invited to leave by a rather large policeman and it seemed impolite to refuse. Beating those cheating gits at VP was very sweet. Disappointing to lose at Burnley in the next round but we never seemed to beat them at their end in those days.

[Flamingo Lane]

I was there, it was a fabulous night, and Sammy Morgan's early goal, a diving header, was the perfect start. I remember us rushing home afterwards to watch the highlights of the game on Sportsnight, but because of the power shortages it was a much shortened programme.

[DesBremner]

My first ever game
One i could never forget
I vaguley recall Sammy be interviewed on football focus on the Saturday after and he was wearing glasses, which to a 7 year old kid wearing glasses as well made him my instant hero

[dcdavecollett]

Too ill to go to this one but saw the first game at Highbury.

The sending-off of Sammy in that game was an absolute disgrace that Friend, Dowd and Moss would have been proud of!

[Brend'Watkins]

I have a vague recollection of the game as a young chap and of Morgan's headed goal. It was a special night at Villa Park with Bob Wilson berated throughout the game. I spoke to Wilson about 10 years ago or so about it.  All Villa fans of a certain vintage bring up the subject he told me. Wilson is the consummate gentleman and has some great stories as you'd imagine.