Dennis Mortimer: Aston Villa legend - a European Cup-winning captain!

Dennis Mortimer arrived at Aston Villa from Coventry City in 1975 and went on to the captain the club during what was the most successful period in Villa's history. During his time at Villa Park, the Midlanders won the League Cup in 1975 and 1977, the league championship in 1981 and a year later lifted the European Cup after a 1-0 victory against Bayern Munich in Rotterdam. Givemefootball's Mark Shail is the man with the questions.

WHAT WAS THE HIGHLIGHT OF YOUR CAREER?

There were two really – winning the league championship in 1981 and then lifting the European Cup the following season. As a professional, everyone wants to win their own domestic league – that should be the pinnacle for all players and to have won it by using only 14 players in the entire campaign, like we did, would be almost impossible nowadays. In fact, I think six or seven of us played all 42 league games that season. As for the European Cup a year later, that was just the icing on the cake.

DO YOU THINK THAT VILLA SIDE GOT THE CREDIT THEY DESERVED?

Probably not. We were a hard working, well-organised outfit but possibly without some of the star names that other teams had. But everyone knew their job in our side and we had a nice blend of youth and experience. We had experienced players like myself, Jimmy Rimmer, Des Bremner, Peter Withe, Allan Evans and Ken McNaught, alongside youngsters like Gary Shaw, Gordon Cowans and Colin Gibson.

SHOULD THAT VILLA SIDE HAVE HAD MORE INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION?

In think so, although players like Tony Morley, Gordon Cowans, Allan Evans and Peter Withe did go on to gain full international honours later on. But when we won the league in 1981 we had no internationals in our side whereas Ipswich, who were our nearest challengers at that time, had a team almost entirely full of internationals. But you have to remember that at that time Division One, as it was then, had very few foreign players in it so the league was made up mostly of British players.

WHO WAS THE BEST PLAYER YOU EVER PLAYED WITH?

I think in terms of potential Gary Shaw was a player who stood out but unfortunately he got a bad knee injury at the age of 22 and was never the same again. He was in the same mould as Kenny Dalglish and I'm sure he would have gone on to have a tremendous career had he not suffered through injury. Although he won the league championship and the European Cup we never ever saw the best of him and it was tragic that he was unable to fulfil his potential.

AND THE BEST MANAGER?

It has to be Ron Saunders, purely because of what he achieved at Villa. Ron has been much maligned down the years – with people describing him as a hard taskmaster and a coach who over-worked his players – but that wasn't true at all. Most of the running we did in training was done with the ball at our feet and he certainly got the best out of his squad. You knew where you stood with Ron and his record at Villa Park speaks for itself.

WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF VILLA TODAY?

They've found it difficult to make an impression over the last four or five years and things don't appear to be getting any better this season. David O'Leary doesn't seem to know what his strongest side is and, whilst they have had one or two injuries, there doesn't seem to be the right balance in the team. I think they've got a tough time ahead and I'm sure OLeary will be planning to strengthen his squad in January.

WHAT ARE YOU DOING NOW?

I'm working with Birmingham City on a community scheme, linked with South Birmingham College, supervising Level Two coaching courses. I also run one of the college football teams and that is something that I get a lot of satisfaction out of because it's a pretty good standard.