MORTIMER WANTS A 1982 HEROES TRIBUTE

FORMER Aston Villa skipper Dennis Mortimer wants a permanent tribute to Aston Villa’s 1982 European Cup success to be installed at the club.

The man who lifted both the First Division title and the continent’s blue riband competition says now is the time to act – before it is too late.

This month, the 40th anniversary of that famous night in Rotterdam is being marked with a special film and commemorative dinner.

Mortimer (right), now 70, said: “We’re now getting to the stage where there needs to be something to commemorate that team. We have been talking about it for ages and we can’t allow a nice meal and film to be the end of it.

“The team must be recognised for being the greatest-ever Villa team. The history needs to be remembered. In 40 years since then, the club’s won two League Cups – and that’s it.

“The fans need to have something they can feel proud of. I believe they want it.

“It’s just a question of harnessing that feeling and getting the people in charge to realise what it means to the club.

“If we can get it recognised – and get the players, Ron Saunders and Tony Barton – immortalised in bronze then that would be the best accolade you could give us as a team.”