On this day (May 27) in 1982, Aston Villa were given a rousing welcome by supporters in Birmingham after winning the European Cup. The Midlands outfit beat Bayern Munich in the final at Rotterdam on May 26 and travelled back home a day later.
Ron Saunders’ side booked their place in the European Cup after winning the First Division title in 1981, but the Villa manager stepped down in February 1982 as their league campaign was in tatters. Tony Barton took over and somehow led Villa to the final months later, although Villa ended up finishing 11th in the First Division.
Nevertheless, they enjoyed the most successful period of their history, winning the league and European Cup in two years, so fans were understandably overjoyed. Villa never won the top-flight or European Cup again, however, but 1981 and 1982 will be memorable years.
Barton stayed in charge of Villa until 1984, eventually losing his job at the end of the 1983/84 campaign due to poor performance. He passed away in 1993 at the age of 56.
In other news, Aston Villa win European Cup, beating Bayern in Rotterdam on this day in 1982
