On This Day
Barcelona, for all their talent, body check and foul their way to a two goal lead but their rugged tactics backfire as Villa hit two goals in the last five minutes to draw the tie and Barcelonaโs bleating and deeply hypocritical appeals for a foul on the โkeeper for John Deehanโs equaliser are rightly met with short shrift from the referee.
Villa face Barcelona for the first time in competitive football, Barcelona become the 115th team that the Villa first team has played in League or Cup football, Villaโs fifth continental European opponents and their second from Spain having played Athletic Bilbao earlier in the season.
Ron Saunders' Villa score two late goals to draw the UEFA Cup quarter final first leg against Barcelona ahead of a tough return match at the Camp Nou.
Meanwhile, Saunders hands debuts to defender David Evans, 19, who joined from West Bromwich Schools in July 1974 and centre back Allan Evans, 21, after his move from Dunfermline Athletic for a fee of ยฃ30,000 in May 1977.
GK Jimmy Rimmer | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ |
D David Evans | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | ๐ข |
CB Ken McNaught | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ณ๓ ฃ๓ ด๓ ฟ | โฝ |
FB Gordon Smith | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ณ๓ ฃ๓ ด๓ ฟ | ๐ฅ |
M John Gregory | 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 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 |
Ron Saunders | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | 1974-1982
Substitutes
๐ | CB Allan Evans | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ณ๓ ฃ๓ ด๓ ฟ | ๐ข | ๐ฅ | for D David Evans | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | 61' |
Unused Substitutes
GK Jake Findlay | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ณ๓ ฃ๓ ด๓ ฟ |
CB Charlie Young | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ |
LB Mick Buttress | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ |
M Ivor Linton | 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 Jake Findlay | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ณ๓ ฃ๓ ด๓ ฟ |
Defenders
CB Charlie Young | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ |
D David Evans | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ |
CB Ken McNaught | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ณ๓ ฃ๓ ด๓ ฟ |
CB Allan Evans | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ณ๓ ฃ๓ ด๓ ฟ |
Full Backs
FB Gordon Smith | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ณ๓ ฃ๓ ด๓ ฟ |
LB Mick Buttress | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ |
Midfielders
M Ivor Linton | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ |
M John Gregory | 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 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 |
Unavailable
Injury | 4 |
FB John Robson | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ |
M Alex Cropley | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ณ๓ ฃ๓ ด๓ ฟ |
CF Andy Gray | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ณ๓ ฃ๓ ด๓ ฟ |
RB John Gidman | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ |
Team News
Ron Saunders hands a surprise debut to David Evans and recalls John Gregory with John Gidman and Tommy Craig dropping out.
Team Stats
Starting XI Average Age
| 24.35 |
Oldest Player |
GK Jimmy Rimmer | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | 30.07 |
Youngest Player |
M Gordon Cowans | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | 19.36 |
Debut Appearances
๐ข CB David Evans | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | #593 | Youth team promotion
๐ข CB Allan Evans | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ณ๓ ฃ๓ ด๓ ฟ | #594 | ยฃ594,000 signing from Dunfermline
Final Appearances
None
Starting XI
Substitutes
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 4
๐ฉ
๐จ
๐ฅ
None
๐
๐
โฝ
๐ฅ
Sub 5
๐ฉ
๐จ
๐ฅ
Scorer(s) | Ken McNaught | 85' | John Deehan | 88' |
Assist(s) | Gordon Smith | 85' | Allan Evans | 88' |
Match Timeline
๐ข | 1โ Debut, David Evans
๐ฅ
| 20โ Goal, 1-0, (Barcelona), John Cruyff
๐ | HT Aston Villa 0-1 Barcelona
๐ | 61โ Sub off, David Evans, Sub on, Allan Evans ๐ข
๐ฅ
| 78โ Goal, 2-0, (Barcelona), Zuviria
โฝ | 85โ Goal, 2-1, Ken McNaught, Assist by Gordon Smith
โฝ | 88โ Goal, 2-2, John Deehan, Assist by Allan Evans
๐ | FT Aston Villa 2-2 Barcelona
Season | 1977-78 |
Matchday | #38 |
Manager Game | #197 |
Wednesday, 1 March 1978
Match Record
Game Record
Manager: Ron Saunders | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | Birkenhead, 1974-1982
Referee: Cรฉsar Correia | ๐ต๐น | Sรฃo Brรกs de Alportel, 1978
HT Score: ๐ฅ 0-1
FT Result: ๐จ Drew
FT Score: ๐จ 2-2
Last 5: ๐ฅ ๐ฉ ๐ฉ ๐ฅ ๐จ
Officials
Referee: Cรฉsar Correia | ๐ต๐น | Sรฃo Brรกs de Alportel, 1978
Linesmen: Joaquin Inacio De Alemieda ๐ต๐น Mario Da Silva Luis ๐ต๐น
Previous 5 vs. Barcelona: None
Head to Head
Total ๐ 1 | ๐ฉ W0 (0% ) | ๐จ D1 | ๐บ(100% ) | ๐ฅ L0 (0% ) | โฝ 2 | ๐ฅ 2 | GD 0
Match Stats
Not recorded
Ron Saunders | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | 1974-1982
๐ 197 | ๐ฉ | 93 ๐จ | 50 ๐ฅ 54 | 1.67
Villa Career Form:
Top 6
What they Said
"It is important to me that I give the English public something to remember me by.
"I cannot imagine the Aston Villa game being more difficult than the game against Ipswich. But if the score against us is more than 3-0 it will he impossible.
"The Spanish players like playing against foreign opposition.
โIt gives them a better chance to express themselves and show their skills.
โAston Villa have built up a reputation in Spain.
โThey are now very well known by the Spanish people after their victory over Athletic Bilbao.
โThey have got a lot of respect now."
Johan Cruyff.
GK Pello Artola | ๐ช๐ธ |
RB Pepito Ramos | ๐ช๐ธ |
CB Migueli | ๐ช๐ธ |
CB Antonio Olmo | ๐ช๐ธ |
RB Toรฑo de la Cruz | ๐ช๐ธ |
M Johan Cruyff | ๐ณ๐ฑ | โฝ | ๐ |
M Quique Costas | ๐ช๐ธ | ๐ |
M Juan Manuel Asensi | ๐ช๐ธ |
W Carles Rexach | ๐ช๐ธ |
W Rafael Zuvirรญa | ๐ฆ๐ท | โฝ |
W Paco Fortes | ๐ช๐ธ |
Rinus Michels | ๐ณ๐ฑ |
Substitutes
๐ | M Johan Cruyff | ๐ณ๐ฑ | (M Josรฉ Macizo | ๐ช๐ธ |)
๐ | M Quique Costas | ๐ช๐ธ | (CB Juanjo Enrรญquez | ๐ช๐ธ |)
Unused Substitutes
GK Pere Valentรญ Mora | ๐ช๐ธ |
M Alfredo Amarillo | ๐บ๐พ |
M Jorge Carreรฑo | 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 ๐๐๐๐
Copa del Rey Winners: ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐
Last Trophy: 1978-79
Opposition Matchday Squad
Goalkeepers
GK Pello Artola | ๐ช๐ธ |
Defenders
CB Migueli | ๐ช๐ธ |
CB Antonio Olmo | ๐ช๐ธ |
CB Juanjo Enrรญquez | ๐ช๐ธ |
Full Backs
RB Pepito Ramos | ๐ช๐ธ |
RB Toรฑo de la Cruz | ๐ช๐ธ |
Midfielders
M Johan Cruyff | ๐ณ๐ฑ |
M Quique Costas | ๐ช๐ธ |
M Josรฉ Macizo | ๐ช๐ธ
M Juan Manuel Asensi | ๐ช๐ธ |
Wingers
W Carles Rexach | ๐ช๐ธ |
W Rafael Zuvirรญa | ๐ฆ๐ท |
W Paco Fortes | 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 ณ๓ 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
