Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest always throw back to the height of English club football whenever they square off.
But two previous European Cup champions will meet for the first time in the second tier of the game in today’s match at Villa Park.
This makes it THE most significant match in Championship history in terms of their trophy cabinets, everywhere in Europe included.
Even ex-Chelsea manager Roberto Di Matteo, who currently manages Villa, has already won the Champions League.
Putting that aside, they are in a much worse position than they were during the heyday of British dominance in Europe.
Under the direction of legendary manager Brian Clough, Forest won the European Cup twice and made history in 1979 and 1980.
In Munich, they defeated Malmo 1-0 thanks to a goal from Trevor Francis. A year later, at the Bernabeu, they defeated Hamburg 1-0 thanks to a goal from John Robertson.
When Bayern Munich was eliminated by Peter Withe’s goal in 1982, it was Villa’s turn to win the European championship.
It meant that English teams won seven European Cups in eight years, thanks in large part to Liverpool’s four victories.
For the opponents in the Midlands, how times have changed.
Six years after losing their Premier League membership, Forest stumbled into League One in 2005.
Villa had not been demoted from the top division since 1987, but they were kicked out last season as a result of years of poor management.
What happened after the great years of over forty years ago?
SunSport questioned Forest captain McGovern, who helped his team win the European Cup, and Villa star Withe to find out.
Former Forest player Withe noted that the downturn there began far earlier than it did at Villa.
It just proves that you’re never too large to fall if you try.”
Former Forest player Withe noted that the downturn there began far earlier than it did at Villa.
It only goes to show that if you don’t keep your eye on the ball, you’re never too large to fall.
