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LEAGUE champions Aston Villa are fighting against time to get eight players fit for their European Cup semi-final showdown with Anderlecht on Wednesday. Although Villa's crisis eased a little yesterday as the "crocks" underwent intensive treatment, manager Tony Barton may not be able to name his team until a few hours before the kick-off in Brussels. Barton, whose side have a 1-0 first leg advantage, said last night: "I'm very hopeful about most of the lads who are hurt being available."

Monday, 19 April 1982

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ANGERED at being labelled Europe's most boring side, Anderlecht's Yugoslavian coach Tomoslav Ivic has named his most attacking side of the season for tonight's game: "This is a side to win 3-0. We need that to be safe. "This time we are going to attack and be brave. It is a different kind of game to the first one and it will be Villa's turn to lie back and wait."

Wednesday, 21 April 1982

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"He seems to under tremendous pressure and has apparently built up considerably since their three goal defeat by Beveren and Ivic, in particular, is taking a lot of stick.from every angle.

"They have now blown their chances of retaining their league championship and, like us, have only this to play for.

"The criticism has mainly been about their style of play which, home or away, is built around defence and he has left a number of senior international players in the reserves to accommodate his tactics.

“They may attempt to change their attitude and approach, but this isn’t something you can turn on and off like a tap.

"We have shown in recent games that we are not only good enough to beat the best in England but also the best in Europe.

“We are still a quality side and we are, once again, playing with our old confidence.

"That is why I will not change our system because I did it might upset the balance.

“There is no way we have come, here to sit back and defend.

“That would be taking our life into our hands if we did.”

Tony Barton.

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“While Villa will be anxiously awaiting the report of the European Football Union's observer, I understand he is sympathetic towards the club's view that there was little they could do about it. They had no control over fans who were outside the club party and the late sale of tickets [by Anderlecht] made segregation inside the stadium impossible.“

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"For about ten minutes I was worried the crowd trouble might cost us our place in Europe.

“Fortunately the fans saw sense and calmed down.

"In England the fans would have been segregated but they are not used to this sort of behaviour over here.

“For a while I thought the fans had ruined it for us and even now we don’t know what the outcome of all this will be.

“It is extremely worrying, Will they fine us? Will they stop our genuine supporters from travelling to Holland?

“Could they even ban us from the final?”

Tony Barton.

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"The team panicked for a moment because we feared the referee might call the game off.

"I signalled the Villa the fans to move away, and I would have thought some of the Anderlecht players could have done the same.

“It wasn't only Villa people who were causing the trouble.”

Jimmy Rimmer.

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“I’m delighted with the team’s performance, and very proud to be associated with this club tonight.

“It was a first-class performance that proved we have a right to be in the European Cup final [with Bayern Munich in Rotterdam on May 26].”

Tony Barton.

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"Our regulations clearly say that supporters must segregated into limited numbers of not more than 500 per group and not to be placed in front rows near to the playing area. We also stress that there must be no contact between the two rival sets fans and no sale of large blocks of tickets immediately prior to the game."

Senior UEFA spokesman.