Aston Villa legend Gary Shaw dies aged 63 as tributes pour in
Gary Shaw has passed away
(Image: Photo by Rusty Cheyne/Allsport/Getty Images/Hulton Archive)
Aston Villa icon Gary Shaw made 213 appearances for his boyhood club across a decade
Aston Villa legend Gary Shaw has died at the age of 63.
Shaw had been in a serious condition in hospital after suffering a head injury as the result of a fall. Widely regarded as one of the best Villa forwards in the club’s 150-year history, Shaw made 213 appearances and scored 79 goals in claret and blue.
Kingshurst-born Shaw spent a decade at his boyhood club after starting his apprenticeship with Villa in 1977. In 1981, having contributed 18 goals to Villa's League Championship triumph, he was voted PFA Young Player of the Year. He also played a key role in the club's European conquest a year later.
Shaw played in seven of the club's eight matches before the final with Bayern, where he started in attack alongside match-winner Peter Withe.
After missing the 5-0 home win over Valur, Shaw bagged a brace in the return leg in Reykjavik. Villa saw off Dynamo Berlin in the second round, before Shaw handed Villa the all-important breakthrough in the quarter-final second leg against Dynamo Kiev at Villa Park.
Villa drew 0-0 away from home, before winning 2-0 on home soil as Ken McNaught scored before half-time to double the lead after Shaw's opening goal in the fourth minute.
He remained a regular during the 1982-83 season, during which he won a European Super Cup medal. Shaw then suffered a series of injury problems which limited his availability in the final five years of his Villa career. He left the club on a free transfer in 1988, later playing in Denmark, Austria and Hong Kong.
Tributes are starting to pour in after Shaw's passing was confirmed by Villa.
Follow Villa icon Brian Little wrote on X: "Gave Shawsy my number 8 shirt when I retired.. he took it to another level….R.I.P. xx"
Ex player David Speedie said: "Really sad to hear Villa legend Gary Shaw has passed away. He was a fantastic footballer who was a worthy winner of club footballs greatest prize. My thoughts go out to the family and friends of Gary at this difficult time."
A Villa fan posted: "RIP to a true club legend and one of our own, the great Gary Shaw. It won’t be the same against Bayern Munich without you. RIP HEITS." Another added: "RIP Gary Shaw. A true Villa legend and one of my childhood heroes. A third posted: "Immensely sad news for all Villa supporters and every football fan who remembers the magical era he played in. He was some player."
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