Former Villa striker Gary Shaw, a European Cup winner, passes away at age 63

Former Aston Villa striker Gary Shaw, a key player in the club's historic European Cup victory in 1982, passed away on September 16 at the age of 63 in London.

Shaw was a member of the Villa side that won the First Division title in 1981 and then memorably stunned German giants Bayern Munich in the European Cup final 12 months later.

The forward died after recently going into hospital following a head injury suffered in a fall.

“Aston Villa Football Club is deeply shocked and profoundly saddened to learn that Gary Shaw, one of our European Cup-winning heroes, has passed away,” a statement said.

“Gary was one of our own, a talented striker who delighted supporters with his goalscoring exploits which helped fire Villa to success in the 1980s. Individual accolades would also follow for a player who was idolised by many on the terraces.

“He passed away peacefully earlier today surrounded by his family, who asked Aston Villa to release a statement on their behalf.”

Shaw’s death came on the eve of Villa’s first match in the Champions League for 41 years.

Unai Emery’s side face Young Boys in Switzerland on Sept 17 and the Villa manager urged his team to win the match in tribute to Shaw. The match took place after press time.

“My condolences to the family and all the supporters at Villa,” said Emery, whose team will wear black armbands for the fixture in Bern.

“We have a memory always, in our training ground a picture of 1982 and the European Cup. He was a protagonist of that. My condolences to them.

“Yes, I think it’s sad and we can use it as motivation.”

Shaw joined Villa as an apprentice and went on to score 79 times in 213 appearances, including 20 goals in their 1981 title-winning campaign.

He was named PFA Young Player of the Year after Villa’s first English title since 1910.