Swain's Euro vision

Kenny Swain is one of few Englishmen who has got his hands on the holy grail of club football – the European Cup.

The England U16 Head Coach was part of the Aston Villa side which lifted the famous trophy in 1982 after the Midlanders edged a nerve-jangling Final against German giants Bayern Munich in Rotterdam.

Overwhelming underdogs against a side boasting rich talents like Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and Paul Breitner, Villa kept the St George’s Cross flying high thanks to Peter Withe’s second half strike.

"I look back on it with great pride," said Swain. "I have a copy of the game and have seen bits and pieces, but I have never sat through it. The memory of the game is far stronger. It’s an amazing thing to have won."

Before that famous night in May, Villa’s European adventure began with a 5-2 aggregate win over Icelandic outfit Valur – ties back then were played over two legs in a knock-out format.

"We didn’t start too well and had an up-and-down sort of year, but every time the European Cup came along it always added a bit of spice to the week," he added.

"It was do or die. You could not afford to have a bad night. Every game was on a knife edge."

Swain and his team-mates then saw off Dynamo Berlin in the next round but the result would be Ron Saunders’ last in charge, his shock resignation throwing Villa’s Euro dream into jeopardy. But new boss Tony Barton ensured Villa stayed on track.

"We then played Dynamo Kiev in the quarter finals," recalled Swain. "The Russian teams always had one or two superstar players and I knew it would be a match for us. We won 2-0 at home and drew 0-0 away. We could rattle off those types of performances. We were on a roll.

"We then beat Anderlecht in the Semi-Finals. They were a good side. We got another 0-0 away from home then beat them 1-0 at Villa Park. We were quite adept at getting clean sheets."

Swain and his team-mates turned up at the De Kuip Stadium, home of Feyenoord, determined to savour the club’s first ever appearance at a European Final.

"It was like we were on holiday," he said, with a chuckle. "We went on the pitch an hour and a half before the game. All the lads had their cameras out, taking photos and waving to wives and girlfriends. I thought ‘get your minds on the game’. But it was a case of being there and enjoying it.

"It wasn’t a big stadium, I think it held 39,000. There was a great atmosphere with probably more Villa fans than Bayern Munich fans. But that’s normal – English supporters are the best."

The two teams soon got down to business and the Germans certainly lived up to their billing of being favourites, penning Villa back and forcing substitute keeper Nigel Spink into a number of fine saves.

"They were formidable," said Swain. "They were German champions, had World Cup winners, the captain of the national team, fearsome strikers. But the strange thing was I always fancied us and most of us deep down thought the same. They were clear favourites but we were used to like being underdogs - that used to motivate us.

"We were hanging on grimly in the first half. They had a couple of occasions where they could have scored while we did not look a threat. We were solid though and stayed in the game.

"I cleared one off the line. I remember that. I have a photograph of it at home. It was one of a couple which beat Nigel Spink. He had a great game. I remember thinking one save he made was world class."

For all the Germans’ pressure, it was Villa who grabbed the all important goal in the 67th minute, Withe tapping in against the run of play after Tony Morley had picked him out.

"Winning was the ultimate," he added. "I know what it meant to the club. It adds to their tradition and winning the cup is in the annals of Aston Villa. Maybe they won’t win it again during my lifetime. It wasn’t just for the players but for the club."

The Villa Park outfit honoured their heroes at the end of last season, marking the 25th anniversary of their triumph by inviting them back to the ground to parade the trophy.

"The club made a real fuss of it and left no stone unturned," said Swain. "It was the last home game against Sheffield United. They were honouring our achievements and it was a day to remember. We got a fantastic reception from the crowd. The trophy was there. They had flown players in from all over the place. Everyone was there.

"We were called out on to the pitch one by one. We got a thunderous applause. It was incessant. I could have been out there all day.

"We walked down to the Holte End. I took the scarf off my neck and started winding it around my head, Italian style. The fans started doing it. I got into the penalty box, everyone was waving. I was blowing kisses. I then got down on the turf and kissed it. The place erupted."

Log on to TheFA.com on Wednesday as Kenny Swain looks at his time at Nottingham Forest under Brian Clough.