98: ASTON VILLA

it took Aston Villa more than a 100 years of history to play their first european match. founded in 1874, the club woke up to europe way later then their fierce local rivals, Birmingham City. until 1910, Villa had six english titles to their belt, but after that, the drought was long.

in the 1977/78 season, the club first appeared in europe - and eliminated Fenerbahce Istanbul with two wins and a 6x0 aggregate scoreline in the first round of the UEFA Cup. Villa made it to the quarterfinals after eliminating spanish traditionals Atheltic Bilbao, but then lost to spanish giants FC Barcelona in a tight 3x4 aggregate. still, Aston Villa now wanted more.

and they would get more: in 1981, the club celebrated their seventh english title, the first and only one in the modern era. it was their one and only chance to play the Champions Cup. first round icelandic champs were no match, and Aston, although only in their second season in Europe, were one of the favorites - although defending champions Liverpool FC were seen as the even bigger favorites. Aston Villa beat Dynamo Berlin, from east germany, 2x1 away, but were almost eliminated at home after losing 0x1. in the quarterfinals, soviet powerhouse Dynamo Kiev were eliminated by the brits, after a dull 0x0 draw at home and a 0x2 loss in Aston, birmingham. Liverpool were eliminated at the hands of bulgarian champs CSKA Sofia, so now they greatest competition seemed to be Bayern Munich, with world stars Karlheinz Rummenigge and Paul Breitner. in the semifinals, Aston Villa were able to eliminate the belgians from RSC Anderlecht, at the time one of the top clubs in europe, once again without suffering a goal.

the final against Bayern Munich was played in Rotterdam, and the germans, three-time winners, were favorite after reaching their fourth final ever. but Peter Withe gave Aston the title after his goal in the 67th minute - and Aston Villa was the European Champion 1982!

next season, the holders attempted to defend their title and had no problems with turkish champions Besiktas in the first round. but after defeating romanians Dinamo Bucharest in the quarterfinals, a Juventus Turin side with Michel Platini and Paolo Rossi beat Villa twice, the european dream was over.

since then, Aston Villa has been present in europe only nine other times, and only in the 97/98 season they left anything resembling a mark. in the 1st round of the UEFA Cup, a 0x0 was achieved at Girondins Bordeaux, who had been finalists in the 95/96 season. at home, the winning goal only came in overtime. against spaniards Bilbao, a 0x0 was achieved once again, away. at home, the 2x1 victory saw the british team through to the round of 16, were they went to bucaresti to play Steaua, away. and they came back with a 1x2 loss, which they were able to revert with a 2x0 win at home. but the run came to an end against Atletico Madrid - the 0x1 loss in spain was answered with a 2x1 win at home, but the away goal rule played against Aston Villa.

some great players have played in the Villa park: Peter Schmeichel, one season at the club after his Manchester United and Sporting Lisbon spells, is the greatest name. currently, Brad Friedel (US keeper), James Milner (will represent England this World Cup), John Carew (Norwegian legend) and Emile Heskey (ex-England team attacker) defend the team.