Aston Villa European Cup winner Gary Shaw dies at age 63 | Football News

Former Aston Villa striker Gary Shaw has died at the age of 63, the club has announced.

Shaw was part of the Villa team that won the First Division title in 1981 and the European Cup the following year.

The striker, who also played for Blackpool, Walsall, Kilmarnock and Shrewsbury, was in hospital after suffering a head injury in a recent fall.

A statement from Villa said: “Aston Villa Football Club is deeply shocked and saddened to learn of the passing of Gary Shaw, one of our European Cup winning heroes.

“Gary was one of us, a talented striker who thrilled supporters with his goals, helping Villa to success in the 1980s. Individual accolades were also to follow for a player idolised by many in the stands.

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

“The thoughts of everyone at the club are with Gary’s family and loved ones at this extremely difficult time.”

Born in Solihull, Shaw joined Villa as an apprentice and scored 79 goals in 213 appearances, including 20 in their title-winning campaign, before being named PFA Young Player of the Year.

He was then a key part of the team that won the European Cup in 1982, beating Bayern Munich in the final. Shaw scored three goals in the competition, including a goal in the quarter-final against Dynamo Kiev.

He left Villa in 1988 and his career also took him to Denmark, Austria and Hong Kong before retiring in 1992. He later worked as a statistical analyst and was a matchday ambassador for Villa.