๐จ 7 Dec 1977, Villa 1-1 Bilbao, San Mamรฉs
Scorer(s) | Dennis Mortimer | 43' |
Assist(s) | John Gidman | 43' |
Fixture List
๐ฉ 20 Aug 1977, Villa 2-1 QPR, Loftus Road
Division One
๐ฅ 24 Aug 1977, Villa 1-4 Manchester City, Villa Park
Division One
๐ฅ 27 Aug 1977, Villa 1-2 Everton, Villa Park
Division One
๐ฉ 31 Aug 1977, Villa 3-1 Exeter, St James'
League Cup
๐จ 3 Sep 1977, Villa 1-1 Bristol City, Ashton Gate
Division One
๐ฉ 10 Sep 1977, Villa 1-0 Arsenal, Villa Park
Division One
๐ฉ 14 Sep 1977, Villa 4-0 Fenerbahรงe, Villa Park
UEFA Cup
๐ฅ 17 Sep 1977, Villa 0-2 Forest, City Ground
Division One
๐ฉ 23 Sep 1977, Villa 2-0 Wolves, Villa Park
Division One
๐ฉ 28 Sep 1977, Villa 2-0 Fenerbahรงe, ลรผkrรผ Saracoฤlu
UEFA Cup
๐ฅ 1 Oct 1977, Villa 0-1 Birmingham, Villa Park
Division One
๐จ 5 Oct 1977, Villa 1-1 Leeds, Elland Road
Division One
๐ฉ 8 Oct 1977, Villa 2-0 Leicester, Filbert Street
Division One
๐ฉ 15 Oct 1977, Villa 3-0 Norwich, Villa Park
Division One
๐ฉ 19 Oct 1977, Villa 2-0 Gรณrnik, Villa Park
UEFA Cup
๐จ 22 Oct 1977, Villa 2-2 West Ham, Upton Park
Division One
๐ฉ 26 Oct 1977, Villa 1-0 QPR, Villa Park
League Cup
๐ฉ 29 Oct 1977, Villa 2-1 United, Villa Park
Division One
๐จ 2 Nov 1977, Villa 1-1 Gรณrnik, Gรณrnik
UEFA Cup
๐ฉ 5 Nov 1977, Villa 2-1 Liverpool, Anfield
Division One
๐ฅ 12 Nov 1977, Villa 0-1 Boro, Villa Park
Division One
๐จ 19 Nov 1977, Villa 0-0 Chelsea, Stamford Bridge
Division One
๐ฉ 23 Nov 1977, Villa 2-0 Bilbao, Villa Park
UEFA Cup
๐ฅ 29 Nov 1977, Villa 2-4 Forest, City Ground
League Cup
๐ฅ 3 Dec 1977, Villa 0-2 Ipswich, Portman Road
Division One
๐จ 7 Dec 1977, Villa 1-1 Bilbao, San Mamรฉs
UEFA Cup
๐ฉ 10 Dec 1977, Villa 3-0 Albion, Villa Park
Division One
๐ฅ 17 Dec 1977, Villa 0-1 Boro, Ayresome
Division One
๐จ 26 Dec 1977, Villa 1-1 Coventry, Villa Park
Division One
๐ฉ 27 Dec 1977, Villa 3-0 Derby, Baseball Ground
Division One
๐ฅ 31 Dec 1977, Villa 0-2 Manchester City, Maine Road
Division One
๐จ 2 Jan 1978, Villa 1-1 QPR, Villa Park
Division One
๐ฅ 7 Jan 1978, Villa 1-4 Everton, Goodison
FA Cup
๐ฅ 14 Jan 1978, Villa 0-1 Everton, Goodison
Division One
๐ฉ 28 Jan 1978, Villa 1-0 Bristol City, Villa Park
Division One
๐ฉ 4 Feb 1978, Villa 1-0 Arsenal, Highbury
Division One
๐ฅ 25 Feb 1978, Villa 0-1 Birmingham, St Andrew's
Division One
๐จ 1 Mar 1978, Villa 2-2 Barcelona, Villa Park
UEFA Cup
๐จ 4 Mar 1978, Villa 0-0 Leicester, Villa Park
Division One
๐ฅ 11 Mar 1978, Villa 1-2 Norwich, Carrow Road
Division One
๐ฅ 15 Mar 1978, Villa 1-2 Barcelona, Camp Nou
UEFA Cup
๐ฉ 18 Mar 1978, Villa 4-1 West Ham, Villa Park
Division One
๐ฉ 21 March 1978, Villa 3-2 Coventry, Highfield Road.
Division One
๐จ 25 Mar 1978, Villa 0-0 Derby, Villa Park
Division One
๐จ 29 Mar 1978, Villa 1-1 United, Old Trafford
Division One
๐ฅ 1 Apr 1978, Villa 0-3 Liverpool, Villa Park
Division One
๐ฅ 5 Apr 1978, Villa 0-1 Forest, Villa Park
Division One
๐จ 8 Apr 1978, Villa 1-1 Newcastle, St James'
Division One
๐ฉ 15 Apr 1978, Villa 2-0 Chelsea, Villa Park
Division One
๐ฉ 17 Apr 1978, Villa 2-0 Newcastle, Villa Park
Division One
๐ฉ 22 Apr 1978, Villa 3-0 Albion, Hawthorns
Division One
๐ฉ 26 Apr 1978, Villa 3-1 Leeds, Villa Park
Division One
๐ฉ 29 Apr 1978, Villa 6-1 Ipswich, Villa Park
Division One
๐ฅ 2 May 1978, Villa 1-3 Wolves, Molineux
Division One
On This Day
Wednesday, 7 December 1977
Scroll for more โฌ๏ธ
Last 5: ๐จ ๐ฉ ๐ฅ ๐ฅ ๐จ
Ron Saunders | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | 1974-1982
๐ 185 | ๐ฉ | 89 ๐จ | 47 ๐ฅ 49 | 1.70
Villa Career Form:
Top 6
Game #3467
Match Record
Season | 1977-78 |
Matchday | #26 |
Manager Game | #185 |
Wednesday, 7 December 1977
Game Record
Manager: Ron Saunders | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | Birkenhead, 1974-1982
Referee: Jean Dubach | ๐จ๐ญ | Nidau, 1977
HT Score: ๐ฉ 1-0
FT Result: ๐จ Drew
FT Score: ๐จ 1-1 (3-1)
Last 5: ๐จ ๐ฉ ๐ฅ ๐ฅ ๐จ
Head to Head
Previous 5 vs. Bilbao: ๐ฉ
Total ๐ 2 | ๐ฉ W1 (50% ) | ๐จ D1 | ๐บ(100% ) | ๐ฅ L0 (0% ) | โฝ 3 | ๐ฅ 1 | GD 2
Trophy Cabinet
Aston Villa
League Champions: ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐
FA Cup Winners: ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐
League Cup Winners: ๐๐๐
Last Trophy: 1976-77
Athletic Bilbao
La Liga Champions: ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐
Copa del Rey Winners: ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐
Last Trophy: 1972-73
Squad News
Debut Appearances
None
Final Appearances
None
Match Timeline
โฝ | 43โ Goal, 1-0, Dennis Mortimer, Assist by John Gidman
๐ | HT Athletic Bilbao 1-0 Aston Villa
๐ฅ
| 85โ Goal, 1-1, (Athletic Bilbao), Dani
๐ | FT Athletic Bilbao 1-1 Aston Villa
๐จ | Booking, Gordon Smith, Dissent
๐จ | Booking, Andy Gray, Dissent
Officials
Referee: Jean Dubach | ๐จ๐ญ | Nidau, 1977
Officials
Referee Profile
VAR Profile (Post 2021)
Officials
Villa Bookings
๐จ Gordon Smith, Dissent (1)
๐จ Andy Gray, Dissent (4)
Villa Sendings Off
None
Opposition Bookings
๐จ
Opposition Sendings Off
None
Match Stats
Not recorded
Line Up & Subs
Aston Villa
Ron Saunders | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | 1974-1982
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 |
M Leighton Phillips | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ท๓ ฌ๓ ณ๓ ฟ |
M Gordon Cowans | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ |
M John Gregory | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ 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 |
CF Andy Gray | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ณ๓ ฃ๓ ด๓ ฟ |
Substitutes
No Substitutions Made
Unused Substitutes
Not recorded
Athletic Bilbao
Koldo Aguirre | ๐ช๐ธ |
GK Josรฉ รngel Iribar | ๐ช๐ธ |
LB Javier Escalza | ๐ช๐ธ |
D Josรฉ Marรญa Lasa | ๐ช๐ธ |
D Daniel Astrain | ๐ช๐ธ |
CB Josรฉ Ramรณn Alexanko | ๐ช๐ธ |
M Fernando Tirapu | ๐ช๐ธ |
M Javier Irureta | ๐ช๐ธ |
M Ignacio Churruca | ๐ช๐ธ |
W Dani | ๐ช๐ธ | โฝ |
W Josรฉ Mari Amorrortu | ๐ช๐ธ |
F Aitor Aguirre | ๐ช๐ธ | ๐ |
Substitutes
๐ | F Aitor Aguirre | ๐ช๐ธ | (RB รngel Marรญa Villar | ๐ช๐ธ |)
Unused Substitutes
Not Recorded
Team News
Aston Villa
Injury | 3 |
FB John Robson | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ |
F John Deehan | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ |
M Alex Cropley | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ณ๓ ฃ๓ ด๓ ฟ |
Ron Saunders names an unchanged line up.
Athletic Bilbao
Not Recorded
Matchday Squads
Aston Villa
Athletic Bilbao
Match Media
What they Said
"Cropley is obviously my biggest worry.
โWe are leaving for Spain early and he will be receiving treatment right until the last possible moment.
โThere must be a slight chance for him. I would not be taking him if I didnโt think he might respond to treatment.
โWe realise that this is going to be a test of the sideโs character and determination to succeed against a very experienced European club.
โBilbao have a ground advantage and they will also have the backing of their loyal Basque followers.
โWe know how fanatical their fans can be having played there in a pre-season triangular contest in early August.โ
Ron Saunders, Pre Match.
---
โWe were a bit special in the first half when we produced some of the best football we have played all season.
โIn the second half we let them play a bit but I was really thrilled with the way we performed.
โOur midfield was magnificent and Mortimer and John Gregory were our stars.โ
Ron Saunders.
Match Highlights
Team Selection
Goalkeeper
Defenders
Midfielders
Forwards
Substitutes
None
๐
๐
โฝ
Sub 1
๐ฅ
๐ฉ
๐จ
๐ฅ
None
๐
๐
โฝ
๐ฅ
Sub 4
๐ฉ
๐จ
๐ฅ
None
๐
๐
โฝ
๐ฅ
Sub 2
๐ฉ
๐จ
๐ฅ
None
๐
๐
โฝ
๐ฅ
Sub 3
๐ฉ
๐จ
๐ฅ
None
๐
๐
โฝ
๐ฅ
Sub 5
๐ฉ
๐จ
๐ฅ
1977-78
First Team Squad
GK Jake Findlay | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ณ๓ ฃ๓ ด๓ ฟ | #567 |
Goalkeeper
Where are they now?
Coventry City ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ Died 2025
CB Allan Evans | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ณ๓ ฃ๓ ด๓ ฟ | #594 |
Centre Back
Where are they now?
Darlington FC ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ Retired
CB David Evans | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | #593 |
Centre Back
Where are they now?
Brighouse Town ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ Retired
LB Gary Williams | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | #598 |
Full Back
Where are they now?
Bradford City ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ Retired
FB John Robson | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | #562 |
Full Back
Where are they now?
Aston Villa ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ Died 2004
M Dennis Mortimer | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | #580 |
Midfielder
Where are they now?
Birmingham City ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ Retired
M Ivor Linton | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | #588 |
Midfielder
Where are they now?
Nรคrpes Kraft Fotbollsfรถrening ๐ซ๐ฎ Retired
W Frank Carrodus | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | #569 |
Winger
Where are they now?
Altrincham FC ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ Retired
F Brian Little | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | #555 |
Forward
Where are they now?
Aston Villa ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ Retired
GK Jimmy Rimmer | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | #591 |
Goalkeeper
Where are they now?
Hamrun Spartans ๐ฒ๐น Retired
CB Brendan Ormsby | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | #599 |
Centre Back
Where are they now?
Wigan Athletic ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ Retired
CB Ken McNaught | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ณ๓ ฃ๓ ด๓ ฟ | #590 |
Centre Back
Where are they now?
Sheffield United ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ Retired
RB Gordon Smith | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ณ๓ ฃ๓ ด๓ ฟ | #583 |
Full Back
Where are they now?
Barnet ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ Died 2014
LB Mick Buttress | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | #586 |
Full Back
Where are they now?
Gillingham ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ Retired
M Gary Shelton | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | #595 |
Midfielder
Where are they now?
Chester City ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ Retired
M John Gregory | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | #589 |
Midfielder
Where are they now?
Bolton Wanderers ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ Retired
F Adrian O'Dowd | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | Unused Sub |
Forward
Where are they now?
Aylesbury United ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ Retired
CF John Deehan | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | #579 |
Forward
Where are they now?
Barnsley ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ Retired
GK John Burridge | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | #577 |
Goalkeeper
Where are they now?
Blyth Spartans ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ Retired
CB Charlie Young | ๐จ๐พ | #585 |
Centre Back
Where are they now?
Gillingham ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ Retired
CB Leighton Phillips | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ท๓ ฌ๓ ณ๓ ฟ | #572 |
Centre Back
Where are they now?
Exeter City ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ Retired
RB John Gidman | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | #560 |
Full Back
Where are they now?
Darlington FC ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ Retired
M Alex Cropley | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ณ๓ ฃ๓ ด๓ ฟ | #584 |
Midfielder
Where are they now?
Portsmouth ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ Retired
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 Tommy Craig | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ณ๓ ฃ๓ ด๓ ฟ | #592 |
Midfielder
Where are they now?
Hibernian ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ณ๓ ฃ๓ ด๓ ฟ Retired
CF Andy Gray | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ณ๓ ฃ๓ ด๓ ฟ | #578 |
Forward
Where are they now?
Cheltenham Town ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ Retired
Matchday Programme
League Table
