VILLANS AND THE HEROES
TODAY marks the 40th anniversary of a First Division fairy-tale that reached its conclusion on May 2, 1981.
Aston Villa headed to Highbury on the final day of their season, knowing that a point would seal the club’s first title in 71 years.
Any slip from Ipswich and the result in north London would be irrelevant.
Which is exactly what happened as Ipswich lost to visitors Middlesbrough, while Ron Saunders’ Villa side were also beaten.
For supporters of the unfancied Midlanders, it sparked a party to end all parties during a time of mass unemployment in the region.
It also broke Liverpool’s stranglehold on the title, with the home city of Villa captain Dennis Mortimer having won the old First Division four times in the past five seasons.
That sounds like a monopoly, but Mortimer says the competitive edge that is lacking in 2021 was still very much in evidence all those years ago.
“Yes, Liverpool were the dominant team at the time, but it wasn’t like it is now,” he said. “At the start of that season, I would have said that as many as 12 teams could probably have won the league.
“But winning the league that season was a giant leap for us.
“We had finished seventh the previous season, but we brought in Peter Withe and that had a huge impact on us. With him up front with Gary Shaw, we were unstoppable.
“We played Liverpool in the new year and we beat them 2-0. Peter got one and I got one.
“Liverpool were a few points behind us at the time and I felt that, if we could get them out of the way and push them further down the league, then it was going to give us a better chance to win it.
“It was a good title race between ourselves and Ipswich. Bobby Robson was building a tremendous side – there were a lot of internationals and some foreign players as well.
“We didn’t have a single international in our team.
“All of us now, 40 years on, are still idolised by the fans and it’s a great feeling. It’s amazing to have been a part of the greatest two years in Aston Villa’s history.
“For most Villa fans, it was a dream to win the league, but it was the same for us as players too.”
For more information on the 40th anniversary visit https://av40tribute.com/