Today I'm going back 39 years to 1982 and Sunderland's trip to play newly crowned European Champions Aston Villa. Sunderland revelled in their status as underdogs in this game and did what Bayern Munich could not by securing an unlikely 1-3 victory against Villa in front of an attendance of just 22,945 (don't ever let Villa fans brag about their European Champions - they couldn't be bothered to turn out to welcome home their heroes at the first competitive game of the season following their finest hour). Tony Barton's Villa took the lead just on half time with the goal scored by Gordon Cowans but Alan Durban's Sunderland well and truly hit back in the second half with goals from Colin West, Ally McCoist and Nick Pickering.
This was my first visit to Villa Park, a stadium that I have visited many times since and which I have always considered to be one of the best in England. The day was an unforgettable one for me. I was due to meet my summer holiday romance in Birmingham City Centre after the match but my pal drove off home with my bag still in his car boot containing all my clothing for my night out! I ended up spending the evening in my match-going drainpipe jeans and Doc Martens, unable to gain entry to the planned night club! Sigh!
Aston Villa finished the season in sixth place thereby qualifying for another shot at Europe, this time in the UEFA Cup. As for Sunderland, they ended up in sixteenth position, just three points ahead of relegated Manchester City.
CRB Match No. 185
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