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Prince of Wales was at Villa Park to witness his team beat the mighty Bayern Munich on a night fans, young and old, will savour forever
This was the night Aston Villa supporters had dreamt of for 42 long years and those who witnessed the repeat of the 1982 European Cup final victory over the mighty Bayern Munich will never forget it.
It was not just the result. It was not even just the superbly taken winning goal from substitute Jhon Duran. It was the whole package. It was the history. It was the noise. It was the raw emotion that boiled over into ecstasy at the final whistle.
The home fans inside Villa Park celebrated the latest 1-0 victory over Bayern like the club had just been crowned champions of Europe for a second time.
There might not be a trophy to show for this Champions League win, but Villa’s long-suffering supporters have got something they will cherish just as much – a memory that will live with them forever.
And what a time for it to come, just a couple of weeks after one of the heroes of 1982, Gary Shaw, died. It was fitting that in the celebrations of Duran’s goal, Shaw’s name was sung and he would have been so proud of his grand, old club.
Never can the Villa fans’ famous ‘Holte Enders In The Sky’ song, which was sung throughout the evening, have felt so poignant.
Shaw’s name is the first on a banner proudly on display at Villa Park that recounts the commentary of Peter Withe’s goal that won the European Cup.
Villa also printed Shaw’s name at the bottom of the list of players on the back of the match programme. Instead of a number next to him, there was an image of the European Cup.
Aston Villa legend and European Cup winner Gary Shaw is named in their Champions League squad tonight after passing away last month aged 63.A lovely tribute ❤️ pic.twitter.com/uIdy2Nz5vj
It was a classy touch, in keeping with the way in which Villa marked their past and present. Surviving members of the ‘82 team, including Withe and Dennis Mortimer, were in attendance, while a giant image of Unai Emery and the current squad unfurled in front of the Holte End just before kick off.
Emery has restored pride into Villa, where, during the dark days of the Championship, supporters were throwing cabbages at former manager Steve Bruce and the club went dangerously close to going into administration.
Now they do not just have to dream about the days when Villa could go toe to toe with the best. They have again beaten one of the giants of European football and are unbeaten in the Champions League after two games.
Just look what it means 💫Aston Villa have BEATEN Bayern Munich in their return to the Champions League! 🔥📺 @tntsports and @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/UBmdwimaMu
Having waited 42 years for a night such as this, Villa were intent on not wasting it, on and off the pitch. The club did a booming business in half-and-half scarves a couple of hours before kick-off, with Villa co-owner Wes Edens and chief executive Chris Heck making a quick stop to do some pre-match shopping.
Nassef Sawiris, Villa’s other owner, handed his phone to a steward to take a picture of him pitchside as the players warmed up and it seemed everybody wanted a souvenir of what proved to be the most memorable of evenings.
The emotion swept through all four of the Villa Park stands as the home fans waved flags left on their seats and roared their excitement at the players, cheering the Champions League anthem which had been booed by supporters of Manchester City.
Even Emery, who did not sit down all evening, got carried away with the passion, as he argued with the Bayern backroom staff when the away team appealed for a penalty against Ezri Konsa in the second half.
Villa barely touched the ball during the opening 14 minutes, but that did not dim the noise coming from the stands. When Villa first threatened from a high ball towards Ollie Watkins, which he headed over, it felt like the Holte End were trying to suck it into the net.
The home fans screamed for Dayot Upamencano to be sent off not once but twice, for fouls on Watkins. The Bayern defender was booked for the second challenge and seemed rattled by the noise coming from the stands.
The roof almost came off midway through the first half, when Villa thought Pau Torres had prodded them into the lead. Shirts were taken off, smoke canisters were released and Prince William, sat high in the stands, joined in with those going wild.
Villa Park ERUPTED as Pau Torres thought he had delivered their first #UCL goal 😮 pic.twitter.com/bi7PamCrtj
A VAR check correctly ruled the goal out for offside, but there was no stopping the noise when the Duran winner did eventually come with just over 10 minutes remaining. And the celebrations that followed the final whistle will not be forgotten by some of those lucky enough to have been present for another 42 years.
Villa fans were BUZZING after beating Bayern 🤣 pic.twitter.com/q4fPmuxBnQ
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