Aston Villa Football Club has won the UEFA Champions League — formerly known as the European Cup — once in their history. The club’s historic triumph came in the 1981–82 season, marking a golden chapter in English football.
1982 European Cup Victory
On May 26, 1982, Aston Villa lifted the European Cup after defeating Bayern Munich 1–0 in the final held at De Kuip Stadium in Rotterdam. The only goal of the match was scored by Peter Withe, etching his name into club folklore.
The victory was even more memorable given the circumstances. Starting goalkeeper Jimmy Rimmer was forced off with an early injury, leading to a surprise appearance by Nigel Spink — making just his second senior appearance for Villa. Spink delivered a remarkable performance, playing a vital role in keeping a clean sheet against the German giants.
Villa’s win was part of a dominant era for English clubs in Europe. Their triumph marked the sixth consecutive season that an English team had won the competition, following the successes of Liverpool and Nottingham Forest.
European Success Continued
Later that year, Aston Villa added to their continental success by winning the 1982 UEFA Super Cup. They defeated Barcelona 3–1 on aggregate, confirming their status as one of Europe’s top sides at the time.
Modern-Day Champions League Involvement
Since the competition was rebranded as the UEFA Champions League in 1992, Aston Villa had not qualified for the tournament until the 2024–25 season. Under manager Unai Emery, the club made a long-awaited return to Europe’s elite competition.
Villa’s campaign in 2024–25 included a high-profile quarter-final clash against Paris Saint-Germain, marking their deepest run in the modern Champions League era and signaling the club’s revival on the European stage.
Conclusion
Aston Villa remain one of the few English clubs to have been crowned champions of Europe. Their 1982 European Cup win remains the pinnacle of their achievements, a lasting reminder of their historic pedigree on the continental stage. With a resurgence in recent seasons, Villa are once again knocking on the doors of Europe’s elite, aiming to add more chapters to their European legacy.
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