Gary Shaw, Former Aston Villa Striker, Dies from Fall Injuries

Aston Villa former striker, Gary Shaw has died from injuries sustained in a fall.

He helped Villa win the 1981 league title and the European Cup in 1982.

Shaw came through the youth ranks at his boyhood club and went on to score 79 goals in 213 games for Villa.

“Aston Villa Football Club is deeply shocked and profoundly saddened to learn that Gary Shaw, one of our European Cup-winning heroes, has passed away,” the club said on Monday.

“Gary was one of our own, a talented striker who delighted supporters with his goalscoring exploits which helped fire Villa to success in the 1980s. Individual accolades would also follow for a player who was idolised by many on the terraces.

“He passed away peacefully earlier today surrounded by his family, who asked Aston Villa to release a statement on their behalf.

“The thoughts of everyone at the club are with Gary’s family and loved ones at this extremely difficult time.”

Shaw was named the Professional Footballers’ Association Young Player of the Year in 1981 and European Young Player of the Year in 1982.

The former England Under-21s striker also played for Blackpool, Walsall, Kilmarnock and Shrewsbury Town.

He worked as a statistical analyst since retiring from football in 1992 and was a club ambassador at Villa Park.

Current Villa manager Unai Emery says he wants his side to win their Champions League opener against Young Boys on Tuesday in memory of Shaw.

Before their first game in Europe’s top club competition for 41 years, Emery said: “We have a memory always, in our training ground a picture of 1982 and the European Cup, he was a protagonist of that.

“My condolences to the family and all the supporters at Villa. Yes, I think it’s sad and we can use it as motivation.”