Aston Villa legend Jimmy Rimmer has passed away at the age of 78.
Villa confirmed the passing of Rimmer, who won two European Cups during his career, in a statement on social media.
‘Aston Villa is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of European Cup winner Jimmy Rimmer, who has died at the age of 78,’ the statement read.
‘The thoughts of everyone at the club are with Jimmy’s family and friends at this incredibly difficult time.’
Rimmer was described as ‘one of the finest goalkeepers of his generation’ by Villa and he started the 1982 European Cup final in which the Villans famously triumphed over Bayern Munich.
He made 287 appearances for Villa, having started his career at Manchester United before spending three years at Arsenal.
Former Aston Villa and Man United goalkeeper Jimmy Rimmer has died aged 78
Rimmer famously had to come off through injury in Aston Villa’s 1982 European Cup final triumph over Bayern Munich
The statement continued: ‘Rimmer was one of the finest goalkeepers of his generation, and arguably one of the unluckiest when it came to big occasions. Despite collecting two European Cup winner’s medals, he wasn’t on the pitch at the end of either final.
He was on the bench at Wembley in 1968 as Manchester United beat Benfica 4-1 and played for just nine minutes for Villa against Bayern Munich in 1982 before a neck injury forced him to be substituted by Nigel Spink in Rotterdam.
Rimmer was in tears in the dressing room as he received treatment from club doctor David Targett, although he was back in the dug-out in time to witness Peter Withe’s winning goal and join in the post-match celebrations.
Even so, he was one of just five Villa players to figure in the starting line-up in all nine of our European Cup matches that season – and had been one of seven ever-presents in the title-winning campaign of 1980-81.’
The Lancashire lad started his career at Man United while still at school, aged just 15 years old, before turning professional just two years later.
The goalkeeper was primarily a No2 during his 11-year spell at Old Trafford, and was the back up goalkeeper for United’s first European Cup win 58 years ago.
His career brought him to Arsenal, where he would finally be promoted to No1 status in his second season at the club.
Rimmer would earn his one and only England cap while on the books at Highbury and won the club’s Player of the Year award in 1975.
The shot-stopper then made his name at Villa before ending his career at Swansea City.
