

Villa's 1982 European Cup final triumph against Bayern Munich still ranks as one of the most remarkable conquests in the history of the competition. Just five years ago, it was impossible for Villa fans to dream of repeating that kind of iconic victory.
But, revitalised by boss Unai Emery since his arrival in 2022, Aston Villa unexpectedly finished fourth in the Premier League last season to secure their first Champions League appearance since the 1982-83 campaign.
Emery's side make their long-awaited return to Europe's elite club competition against Young Boys in Switzerland, before a mouth-watering reunion with Bayern at Villa Park on October 2.
The former PSG and Sevilla boss will be managing his sixth club in the Champions League, having transformed Villa from relegation candidates into a Premier League force. But even a manager of Emery's quality might struggle to emulate Villa's astonishing march to European glory in 1982.