50 years ago Villa v Southampton FA Cup Tie

[Oscar Arce]

http://themowdog.blogspot.com/2018/06/aston-villa-2-1-southampton-fa-cup.html

The rolled-over waistband and the wooden thighs were about to reach the Villa man and McGrath’s wicked eyes were trained on the ball and Rudge’s legs. The Saint bore down on the Villa winger side-on and launched himself forwards, propelling boots, studs and tree-stump legs, like battering rams at a mediaeval door. At the point of impact however, Rudge, probably having sensed the attack, or death, nudged the ball on and sprang over the lunging McGrath’s committal, skipping clear. Gasps were audible as McGrath slid over the touchline like a Baseball batter struggling to make fourth base and the unsightly Saint crashed off the pitch and slid towards the surrounding wall in a sorry heap.

That is quite superb.
I would love to see footage of that fantastic night.

[SirSteveUK]

I was there too - in the Witton End - having travelled down from Uni at Manchester for the game.

59084 was the gate - a number etched into my memory.

Magnificent experience - matched by my being present at the ManU - Villa LC SF 1st Leg  Dec 16th 1970 at OT
to see Andy score. Sadly I couldn't make it to the 2nd Leg.

How many of us could look ahead and see a League title in just over 10 years ??

[villa `cross the mersey]

Did we play Tottenham in the next round? I remember heading down South from Brum and having to turn back at Coventry as the game had been postponed
The atmosphere for the Southampton game was electric
Dave Rudge.....what a trier he was
I remember him breaking his leg at Deepdale - you could hear the crack on the terraces

[Brassneck]

Brian Godfrey centre forward?  I thought he was a midfielder.

[Oscar Arce]

Brian Godfrey centre forward?  I thought he was a midfielder.

Godfrey was a forward signed from Preston in a joint deal with Brian Greenhalgh. He was converted to midfield later by Vic Crowe.