The late Keith Cooper oversaw Villa’s 1994 League Cup triumph against Manchester United at Wembley.

Former Premier League and FIFA referee Keith Cooper, who refereed Villa’s League Cup triumph in 1994, has died at the age of 78.

Cooper refereed in the Premier League between 1993 and 1996 after reaching the Referees’ List in 1982 and taking charge of hundreds of matches in the Football League.

The Welsh official was considered one of the best in the game and refereed the 1994 League Cup final between Villa and Manchester United, as well as several international fixtures.

Cooper was a promising young player on Cardiff’s books before his career was cut short by injury and he turned to refereeing.

The Football Association of Wales said: “Keith was a well-known figure who enjoyed an exceptional career at both domestic and international level and would later hold the position of FAW Referees’ Officer following his retirement in 1996.“

Born and raised in Pontypridd, he is considered one of Wales’ best match officials through his highly-regarded status in the game.

“Everyone at the FAW sends their condolences to his family and friends at this sad time.”

Cooper, who worked with special needs children at Torfaen and Caerphilly County Borough Councils, stayed in football after refereeing as a media pundit.

His son Steve has managed Swansea, Nottingham Forest, Leicester and Brondby in Denmark, and led England to Under-17 World Cup glory in 2017.