Aston Villa finally beat Everton in League Cup second replay on this day in 1977
On this day in 1977, Aston Villa finally beat Everton at the third time of asking in the League Cup final second replay, more than one month after they first locked horns.
Villa drew 0-0 with Everton in front of 100,000 people at Wembley on March 12, drew 1-1 after extra time in front of 55,000 people at Hillsborough on March 16 and were drawing after normal time in front of 54,748 people at Old Trafford on April 13 before bagging a late winner.
Villa lined up with John Burridge, John Gidman, John Robson, Leighton Phillips, Chris Nicholl, Dennis Mortimer, Ray Graydon, Brian Little, John Deehan, Alex Cropley and Gordon Cowans against the Toffees. Ron Saunders brought on Gordon Smith later in the game too.
Everton took the lead through Bob Latchford, but Little equalised late in the second half. And while the Merseysiders quickly re-took the lead through Mick Lyons, a long-range screamer from Nicholls levelled the game. Little then bagged his second of the game in the final few minutes to win Villa the League Cup.
At the time, Villa were the first club to win the competition three times and in three separate cities – Birmingham, London and Manchester.