Former Aston Villa striker Gary Shaw has passed away at the age of 63 due to injuries from a fall. Shaw was instrumental in Aston Villa’s successes, helping the team secure the 1981 league title and the European Cup in 1982.
Shaw began his career at his boyhood club, where he scored 79 goals in 213 appearances. Aston Villa expressed deep shock and sadness over his death, highlighting his contributions as a key player in the 1980s and his impact on fans.
The club’s statement noted that Shaw passed away peacefully with his family by his side. They requested that Aston Villa release a statement on their behalf during this difficult time.
Shaw was honored with the Professional Footballers’ Association Young Player of the Year award in 1981 and the European Young Player of the Year award in 1982. Besides Aston Villa, he also played for Blackpool, Walsall, Kilmarnock, and Shrewsbury Town.
After retiring from football in 1992, Shaw worked as a statistical analyst and served as a club ambassador at Villa Park.
Had Gary Shaw played in today’s football, he likely would have earned more than just seven England Under-21 caps. His skill level was high enough to have secured a place as a full England international. Despite his notable talent and the catchy terrace chant, “When he gets the ball, he scores a goal, Ga-ry, Ga-ry Shaw,” he faced tough competition from players like Kevin Keegan and Trevor Francis.
Shaw made his Aston Villa debut early in the 1978-79 season and seized his opportunity when Andy Gray was sold and Brian Little’s career was cut short by injury. He became Villa’s top scorer in the 1979-80 season. The signing of Peter Withe, a league champion with Nottingham Forest, proved transformative for the team. Together, Withe’s physical presence and Shaw’s agility helped Villa clinch the league title in May 1981 and the European Cup in 1982.
During their league title-winning season, Shaw and Withe scored a combined 38 goals. Although Shaw’s league goals decreased the following season due to injury, he and Withe scored crucial goals in the European Cup, leading Villa to a 1-0 victory over Bayern Munich. Despite this, Shaw was not selected for England’s World Cup squad in 1982, with only Withe making the trip to Spain.
Shaw’s career highlight was the European Cup victory, but a knee injury in September 1983 marked the beginning of the end for his playing days. He continued to play in Denmark, Austria, and various UK clubs before retiring in Hong Kong in 1992. Shaw stayed involved in football as a statistical analyst and club ambassador, and he remained a beloved figure at Aston Villa.
