On This Day
Ron Saunders' ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ Villa put themselves in a strong position in the UEFA Cup third round as they open up a two goal lead over Bilbao ๐ช๐ธ ahead of the second leg.
Villa secure a 2-0 home win over Bilbao ๐ช๐ธ but it could have been more as โkeeper Irรญbar proved fallible throughout and once again the officials rule out a Villa strike in curious circumstances.
Brian Little ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ riffled a tremendous right foot shot into the net after 32 minutes from a corner by Alex Cropley ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ณ๓ ฃ๓ ด๓ ฟ. But Dutch referee Johan Beck ๐ณ๐ฑ disallowed the "goal" ruling that the uninvolved John Deehan ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ had run offside.
Villa face Athletic Bilbao ๐ช๐ธ for the first time in competitive football, Bilbao become the 114th team that the Villa first team has played in League or Cup football, Villaโs fourth continental European opponents and their first from Spain ๐ช๐ธ.
Centre forward Andy Gray ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ณ๓ ฃ๓ ด๓ ฟ makes his ๐ 100th appearance in a Villa shirt.
Goalkeeper Jimmy Rimmer ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ keeps his โ tenth clean sheet in ๐ 23 appearances in a Villa shirt (43%) whilst conceding ๐ฅ 19 Goals (0.83 per Game).
Centre forward John Deehan ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ makes his ๐ 75th appearance in a Villa shirt.
Forward Brian Little ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ makes his ๐ 200th start in a Villa shirt.
GK Jimmy Rimmer | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ |
CB Ken McNaught | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ณ๓ ฃ๓ ด๓ ฟ |
FB Gordon Smith | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ณ๓ ฃ๓ ด๓ ฟ |
RB John Gidman | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | ๐ฅ |
M Leighton Phillips | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ท๓ ฌ๓ ณ๓ ฟ |
M Alex Cropley | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ณ๓ ฃ๓ ด๓ ฟ |
M Dennis Mortimer | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ |
W Frank Carrodus | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ |
F Brian Little | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ |
F John Deehan | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | โฝ |
CF Andy Gray | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ณ๓ ฃ๓ ด๓ ฟ |
Ron Saunders | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | 1974-1982
Substitutes
No Substitutions Made
Unused Substitutes
GK John Burridge | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ |
CB Allan Evans | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ณ๓ ฃ๓ ด๓ ฟ |
LB Mick Buttress | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ |
M John Gregory | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ |
M Gordon Cowans | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ |
Yellow Cards (Warnings, Cautions, Bookings)
None
Red Cards (Ordered from Field of Play, Dismissals, Sendings Off)
None
Trophy Record
League Champions: ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐
FA Cup Winners: ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐
League Cup Winners: ๐๐๐
Last Trophy: 1976-77
Matchday Squad
Goalkeepers
GK Jimmy Rimmer | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ |
GK John Burridge | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ |
Defenders
CB Allan Evans | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ณ๓ ฃ๓ ด๓ ฟ |
CB Ken McNaught | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ณ๓ ฃ๓ ด๓ ฟ |
Full Backs
FB Gordon Smith | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ณ๓ ฃ๓ ด๓ ฟ |
RB John Gidman | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ |
LB Mick Buttress | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ |
Midfielders
M John Gregory | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ |
M Gordon Cowans | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ |
M Leighton Phillips | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ท๓ ฌ๓ ณ๓ ฟ |
M Alex Cropley | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ณ๓ ฃ๓ ด๓ ฟ |
M Dennis Mortimer | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ |
Wingers
W Frank Carrodus | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ |
Forwards
F Brian Little | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ |
F John Deehan | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ |
CF Andy Gray | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ณ๓ ฃ๓ ด๓ ฟ |
Unavailable
Injury | 1 |
FB John Robson | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ |
Team News
Ron Saunders names an unchanged line up.
Team Stats
Starting XI Average Age
| 25.05 |
Oldest Player |
GK Jimmy Rimmer | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | 29.81 |
Youngest Player |
F John Deehan | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | 20.31 |
Debut Appearances
None
Final Appearances
None
Starting XI
Scorer(s) | Own Goal | 33' | John Deehan | 78' |
Assist(s) | John Gidman | 78' |
Match Timeline
โฝ | 33โ Goal, 1-0, Josรฉ รngel Iribar o.g.
๐ | HT Aston Villa 1-0 Athletic Bilbao
โฝ | 78โ Goal, 2-0, John Deehan, Assist by John Gidman
๐ | FT Aston Villa 2-0 Athletic Bilbao
Season | 1977-78 |
Matchday | #23 |
Manager Game | #182 |
Wednesday, 23 November 1977
Match Record
Game Record
Manager: Ron Saunders | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | Birkenhead, 1974-1982
Referee: Jan Beck | ๐ณ๐ฑ | Vreeswijk, 1977
HT Score: ๐ฉ 1-0
FT Result: ๐ฉ Won
FT Score: ๐ฉ 2-0
Last 5: ๐จ ๐ฉ ๐ฅ ๐จ ๐ฉ
Officials
Referee: Jan Beck | ๐ณ๐ฑ | Vreeswijk, 1977
Linesmen: B. Ram; A. R. Thomas
Previous 5 vs. Bilbao: None
Head to Head
Total ๐ 1 | ๐ฉ W1 (100% ) | ๐จ D0 | ๐บ(100% ) | ๐ฅ L0 (0% ) | โฝ 2 | ๐ฅ 0 | GD 2
Match Stats
Not recorded
Ron Saunders | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | 1974-1982
๐ 182 | ๐ฉ | 89 ๐จ | 46 ๐ฅ 47 | 1.72
Villa Career Form:
Top 6
What they Said
"They [Atletico Bilbao] are an impressive and skilful side.
โCarlos leapt high to open the scoring against Hercules and he is the sort of player who can cause problems.
โThey are more skilful than our last UEFA opponents, Gornik, but they are not as well organised. And, as you would expect with a Spanish side, they are not a physical."
Tony Barton
"Any side reaching the last 16 of the competition must be a top outfit. We know Bilbao are no mugs."
Ron Saunders. Pre Match.
---
โDeehan was in the net at the time and was not interfering with play [when the referee ruled him offside for Brian Littleโs โgoalโ].
โI think we fully deserved our two goal lead.
โThe whole side played well and it will be very interesting over there.
โBut I am confident that we can go through to the last eight of the competition."
Ron Saunders.
GK Josรฉ รngel Iribar | ๐ช๐ธ |
D Daniel Astrain | ๐ช๐ธ |
CB Josรฉ Ramรณn Alexanko | ๐ช๐ธ |
CB Andoni Goikoetxea | ๐ช๐ธ |
CB Agustรญn Gisasola | ๐ช๐ธ |
RB รngel Marรญa Villar | ๐ช๐ธ |
M Fernando Tirapu | ๐ช๐ธ |
M Javier Irureta | ๐ช๐ธ |
M Ignacio Churruca | ๐ช๐ธ |
W Carlos Ruiz | ๐ช๐ธ |
W Dani | ๐ช๐ธ |
Koldo Aguirre | ๐ช๐ธ |
Substitutes
No Substitutions Made
Unused Substitutes
GK Juan Antonio Zaldรบa | ๐ช๐ธ |
D Josรฉ Marรญa Lasa | ๐ช๐ธ |
M Juan Carlos Vidal | ๐ช๐ธ |
W Josรฉ Mari Amorrortu | ๐ช๐ธ |
F Aitor Aguirre | ๐ช๐ธ |
Yellow Cards (Warnings, Cautions, Bookings)
None
Red Cards (Ordered from Field of Play, Dismissals, Sendings Off)
None
Opposition Trophy Record
La Liga Champions: ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐
Copa del Rey Winners: ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐
Last Trophy: 1972-73
Opposition Matchday Squad
Goalkeepers
GK Josรฉ รngel Iribar | ๐ช๐ธ |
GK Juan Antonio Zaldรบa | ๐ช๐ธ |
Defenders
D Josรฉ Marรญa Lasa | ๐ช๐ธ |
D Daniel Astrain | ๐ช๐ธ |
CB Josรฉ Ramรณn Alexanko | ๐ช๐ธ |
CB Andoni Goikoetxea | ๐ช๐ธ |
CB Agustรญn Gisasola | ๐ช๐ธ |
Full Backs
RB รngel Marรญa Villar | ๐ช๐ธ |
Midfielders
M Fernando Tirapu | ๐ช๐ธ |
M Javier Irureta | ๐ช๐ธ |
M Ignacio Churruca | ๐ช๐ธ |
M Juan Carlos Vidal | ๐ช๐ธ |
Wingers
W Josรฉ Mari Amorrortu | ๐ช๐ธ |
W Carlos Ruiz | ๐ช๐ธ |
W Dani | ๐ช๐ธ |
Forwards
F Aitor Aguirre | ๐ช๐ธ |
Opposition Unavailable
Not Recorded
League Table
1977-78
Playing Squad
GK Jake Findlay | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ณ๓ ฃ๓ ด๓ ฟ | #567 |
Goalkeeper
Where are they now?
GK Jimmy Rimmer | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | #591 |
Goalkeeper
Where are they now?
GK John Burridge | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | #577 |
Goalkeeper
Where are they now?
CB Allan Evans | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ณ๓ ฃ๓ ด๓ ฟ | #594 |
Centre Back
Where are they now?
CB Allan Evans (Coach) | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ณ๓ ฃ๓ ด๓ ฟ |
Centre Back
Where are they now?
Plymouth Argyle u18 Manager ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ Retired
CB Brendan Ormsby | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | #599 |
Centre Back
Where are they now?
CB Charlie Young | ๐จ๐พ | #585 |
Centre Back
Where are they now?
CB David Evans | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | #593 |
Centre Back
Where are they now?
CB Ken McNaught | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ณ๓ ฃ๓ ด๓ ฟ | #590 |
Centre Back
Where are they now?
CB Leighton Phillips | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ท๓ ฌ๓ ณ๓ ฟ | #572 |
Centre Back
Where are they now?
LB Gary Williams | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | #598 |
Full Back
Where are they now?
RB Gordon Smith | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ณ ๓ ฃ๓ ด๓ ฟ | #583 |
Full Back
Where are they now?
RB John Gidman | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | #560 |
Full Back
Where are they now?
FB John Robson | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | #562 |
Full Back
Where are they now?
LB Mick Buttress | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | #586 |
Full Back
Where are they now?
M Alex Cropley | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ณ๓ ฃ๓ ด๓ ฟ | #584 |
Midfielder
Where are they now?
M Dennis Mortimer | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | #580 |
Midfielder
Where are they now?
M Gary Shelton | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | #595 |
Midfielder
Where are they now?
M Gordon Cowans | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | #582 |
Midfielder
Where are they now?
Burnley ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ Retired
M Ivor Linton | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | #588 |
Midfielder
Where are they now?
M John Gregory | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | #589 |
Midfielder
Where are they now?
M John Gregory (Coach) | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ |
Midfielder
Where are they now?
Malappuram FC Manager ๐ฎ๐ณ Retired
M Tommy Craig | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ณ๓ ฃ๓ ด๓ ฟ | #592 |
Midfielder
Where are they now?
W Frank Carrodus | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | #569 |
Winger
Where are they now?
F Adrian O'Dowd | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | Unused Sub |
Forward
Where are they now?
CF Andy Gray | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ณ๓ ฃ๓ ด๓ ฟ | #578 |
Forward
Where are they now?
F Brian Little | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | #555 |
Forward
Where are they now?
CF John Deehan | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | #579 |
Forward
Where are they now?
Match Media
Matchday Programme
