Unai Emery has urged Aston Villa to push through fatigue as they aim to replicate their historic 1982 European Cup final victory against Bayern Munich in Wednesday’s Champions League clash at Villa Park.
Villa’s return to Europe’s top competition after 41 years brings a nostalgic reunion with Bayern, the side they famously defeated to win the European Cup in Rotterdam. This emotionally charged match follows the recent passing of Gary Shaw, a key figure in Villa’s 1982 success. Shaw, who passed away aged 63, was instrumental in Villa’s European journey, scoring vital goals, including one in the quarter-finals against Dynamo Kiev.
Back in 1982, under the guidance of Ron Saunders’ assistant Tony Barton, Villa defied the odds to beat a Bayern team filled with stars like Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and Paul Breitner. Despite losing their first-choice goalkeeper Jimmy Rimmer to injury, Villa held firm, with substitute keeper Nigel Spink delivering a heroic performance, and Peter Withe scoring the decisive goal to clinch the club’s greatest triumph.
This week’s fixture, however, presents new challenges. Villa, after a taxing 2-2 Premier League draw against Ipswich, have little time to rest before facing six-time European champions Bayern. In contrast, Bayern come into the game with a full day of extra recovery after their Bundesliga draw with Bayer Leverkusen.
With Bayern potentially bolstered by the return of Harry Kane, Villa will need to summon all their energy to compete. Yet Emery remains resolute, encouraging his team to embrace the demands of competing on both domestic and European fronts.
“What do we want? We want to play in Europe. We want to play matches on Sunday and Wednesday. We want to try to get to the same level they have on other teams like (Manchester) City, Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester United, Newcastle, Tottenham. We want it,”
“If we don’t want? OK, we are not playing in Europe (Champions League) and we are resting all the week. Fantastic for everybody, but it is the challenge we have -the players, myself, the supporters, even the journalists.
“We are going to be tired, but this is the level.”