Unai Emery has cautioned Aston Villa that fatigue will not be a valid excuse as his team prepares to relive the most iconic night in the club's history against Bayern Munich on Wednesday.
Emery's squad will face Bayern at Villa Park in Birmingham, recreating their astonishing 1982 European Cup final triumph over the German powerhouse in Rotterdam. Villa is returning to Europe's premier club competition for the first time in 41 years, and the rematch with Bayern is bound to be an emotional event for both players and fans.
This encounter is particularly poignant, coming just two weeks after the passing of former Villa striker Gary Shaw, a pivotal figure in the team that defeated Bayern a year after they unexpectedly won the English title. Shaw, who passed away at 63 following injuries from a fall, scored three goals during Villa's journey to European Cup glory, including a crucial second-leg effort in the quarterfinals against Dynamo Kiev.
When Peter Withe's decisive goal against Bayern propelled Villa to unprecedented heights, no one celebrated more than the locally-born Shaw. Villa's victory was even more improbable because, in February of that season, their title-winning manager Ron Saunders resigned due to a contract dispute. Saunders' assistant, Tony Barton, took charge and calmly led Withe, Shaw, Tony Morley, Dennis Mortimer, and others to the final.
Villa were considered underdogs against a Bayern side brimming with stars like Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and Paul Breitner. On a warm spring evening at De Kuip, Villa seemed destined for defeat when goalkeeper Jimmy Rimmer suffered a neck injury, forcing inexperienced Nigel Spink into action. However, Spink, who had only made one appearance for the club, delivered a series of outstanding saves before Withe scored in the 67th minute, sending Villa into euphoria.
With a disbelieving smile, Villa captain Mortimer lifted the trophy as Barton hailed it as "the most significant day in the club's history." Villa's aspirations of replicating that astonishing victory may be hindered by the fixture schedule. While Bayern drew against Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday, Villa did not play until 24 hours later. Emery's team was held to a 2-2 draw at Ipswich, with Liam Delap's second-half equalizer preventing them from moving to second in the Premier League.
Emery had prohibited any discussion of the Bayern game to keep his players focused on their trip to Portman Road. Whether this strategy was entirely effective is debatable, as promoted Ipswich posed problems for Villa with their tenacious performance. The end of Villa's five-game winning streak in all competitions halted their progress to match Liverpool's points, raising concerns that the physical and mental strain of a tough encounter could give Bayern an edge on Wednesday.
Bayern, six-time European champions, hope to have Harry Kane available at Villa Park after the England captain sustained an ankle injury against Leverkusen. However, Emery is resolute in ensuring Villa does not pity themselves if fatigue sets in.
"What do we want? We want to compete in Europe. We want to play matches on Sunday and Wednesday. We want to strive to reach the same level as other teams like Manchester City, Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester United, Newcastle, Tottenham. We want it," Emery stated.
"If we don't want? OK, we are not playing in Europe and we are resting all week. Fantastic for everyone, but it is the challenge we face – the players, myself, the supporters, even the journalists. We are going to be tired, but this is the level."
