West Ham United’s tremendous Europa Conference League title win has inspired a nation of football fans hoping for their own team to achieve European glory.
In the case of Aston Villa, though, success on the nearby continent is something that is already part of the club’s history and supporters remain very proud of that.
Trophies were rife in the early 1980s as a legendary Villa side won both the 1981/82 European Cup and the 1982/83 European Super Cup.
The likes of Peter Withe, Dennis Mortimer, Gordon Cowans and many more shined as the Villans become champions of Europe.
It may be 41 years ago now but that doesn’t stop fans from passing down the baton to future generations, inspired by the legends of the past.
Iconic commentary quotes and the names of heroes are still plastered around Villa Park and rightly so – the achievements were out of this world.
The Villans are now looking ahead to their first European campaign in 13 years following the qualification for the Europa Conference League.
Unai Emery, his players and the fanbase will be hoping Villa can become the second successive claret and blue team to win the trophy.
Not only that, but other sides across England will be eager to set a precedent of achieving well in European competitions.
With that glorious thought in mind, we’ve put together a gallery of 12 images from the iconic 1982 European Cup final.
Villa beat Bayern Munich 1-0 that day, with Withe scoring the vital goal midway through the second half.
Flick through the pages for some brilliant nostalgia, captioned by the lyrics of a song you’ll know all too well.
1. Aston Villa’s 1982 European Cup winning team pose with trophy
2. Forever legends
Aston Villa squad pose for photo prior to 1982 European Cup final
3. GO ON...
The winning goal
4. YEAHHHHS!
No better feeling