Aston Villa are one of England’s grand old clubs and champions of Europe in 1982. These are the ten greatest to wear the claret and blue.

1. 1

   Paul McGrath

   Aston Villa · Ireland

   A magnificent, imperious defender adored by the supporters as one of the club’s greatest.

2. 2

   Peter Withe

   Aston Villa · England

   The striker who scored the winner in the 1982 European Cup final.

3. 3

   Gordon Cowans

   Aston Villa · England

   A cultured, homegrown midfielder and a European champion across three spells.

4. 4

   Dennis Mortimer

   Aston Villa · England

   The captain who lifted the 1982 European Cup, the club’s finest hour.

5. 5

   Billy Walker

   Aston Villa · England

   The club’s all-time record goalscorer, a star of the 1920s.

6. 6

   Dwight Yorke

   Aston Villa · Trinidad and Tobago

   A smiling, prolific striker of the 1990s before his move to United.

7. 7

   Gareth Barry

   Aston Villa · England

   A composed, long-serving and versatile midfielder of the modern era.

8. 8

   Nigel Spink

   Aston Villa · England

   The young goalkeeper whose heroics helped win the 1982 European Cup final.

9. 9

   David Platt

   Aston Villa · England

   A goalscoring midfielder whose form earned a big-money move to Serie A.

10. 10

    Brian Little

    Aston Villa · England

    A gifted forward and, later, a title-challenging manager at the club.

A LeaguePaper editorial ranking — opinion, offered for argument.