Former Aston Villa goalkeeper Jimmy Rimmer, who was part of the club’s historic 1982 European Cup triumph, has died at the age of 78.
Aston Villa confirmed the former goalkeeper’s death, bringing an end to the career of a player who spent more than two decades in professional football and became a rare two-time European Cup winner with English clubs.
Rimmer started his senior career at Manchester United and was part of the squad that won the European Cup in 1968. Although he did not feature in the final against Benfica, he received a winners’ medal.
He later played for Arsenal before moving to Aston Villa, where he became the club’s first-choice goalkeeper and established himself as an important member of the team.
Rimmer played a significant role as Villa won the First Division title during the 1980–81 season before embarking on their memorable European campaign the following year.
Villa faced Bayern Munich in the 1982 European Cup final in Rotterdam, with Peter Withe scoring the only goal of the match to secure a 1–0 victory for the English side.
Rimmer started the final but his night was cut short when he suffered an injury after only nine minutes. Nigel Spink replaced him and went on to produce a standout performance as Villa lifted the trophy.
Despite being unable to finish the final, Rimmer was recognised as a member of the victorious squad and collected his second European Cup winners’ medal.
During his time at Aston Villa, Rimmer made 229 league appearances. He also represented England at senior level, earning one international cap.
His death has prompted tributes to a goalkeeper whose career included two European Cup triumphs and a significant chapter in Aston Villa’s history.