Aston Villa’s European Cup hero Tony Morley talks Champions League

Aston Villa’s European Cup hero Tony Morley believes their success in 1982 is part of a magical era that may never be seen again as he admits big sides ‘are getting stronger and stronger’

  • Aston Villa are celebrating the 40th anniversary of their European Cup triumph
  • They beat Bayern Munich 1-0 in Rotterdam on May 26, 1982, to lift famous prize 
  • Tony Morley, who set up Peter Withe’s winning goal, spoke of Champions League

Aston Villa hero Tony Morley believes the club’s European triumph belongs to a magical era of football that may never be revived.

Villa are celebrating the 40th anniversary of that triumph, when they beat Bayern Munich 1-0 in Rotterdam on May 26, 1982, to lift the European Cup – the greatest prize in club football on the continent.

Villa’s match to glory is commemorated in a documentary film, Super Villans, released on May 18. As well as the football, some of the stories from that campaign are etched in the memories of players and supporters.

Aston Villa’s Gary Shaw, Tony Morley and Peter Withe with the European Cup in 1982

Players of the 1982 European Cup winning Aston Villa side celebrate with the European Cup at Villa Park on Sunday - the club is celebrating the 40th anniversary of that triumph

Players of the 1982 European Cup winning Aston Villa side celebrate with the European Cup at Villa Park on Sunday – the club is celebrating the 40th anniversary of that triumph

‘We could look at who will be in the quarter-finals of the Champions League next season, and while there will always be a surprise team like Villarreal, it will generally always be the big clubs,’ said former England international Morley, who set up Peter Withe’s winning goal in 1982.

‘Money talks and that means glamour ties in the final, like Real Madrid v Liverpool. You look at the squads these clubs have and there are no reserves.

‘They are all international players and the hardest thing for the manager is to pick certain plyers for certain games. I enjoyed it in 2020 when, because of the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, UEFA organised a straight knockout tournament for eight teams to decide the Champions League.

‘The teams all went for it from the off, there was no trying to play defensively in the away leg. I want to see a surprise team go and win it again. It could happen but it will take a lot of luck, as these big teams are getting stronger and stronger.’

European giants Real Madrid and Liverpool face off in this season's Champions League final

European giants Real Madrid and Liverpool face off in this season’s Champions League final

Super Villans, the latest from the award-winning BT Sport Films series, will premiere on BT Sport 1 at 11pm on 18 May and will be available via the BT Sport App any time thereafter. For more info, visit BTsport.com/films