Aston Villa legend Gary Shaw dies aged 63

Former Aston Villa striker Gary Shaw, one of their European Cup-winning players in 1982, has died at the age of 63, the Premier League club said on Monday.

The Birmingham-based side did not disclose the cause of the death, but British media reported that Shaw died from injuries sustained in a fall.

Having represented England under-21s, Shaw scored 79 goals in 213 matches for his boyhood club Villa. He later went on to have spells at Danish side Kjobenhavns Boldklub, English League Two club Walsall, and Scotland’s Kilmarnock, among several other clubs.

Shaw also won the First Division title with Villa in 1980-81 and the European Super Cup in 1982. The First Division was the precursor to the Premier League, the top tier of English football before 1992-93.

“Aston Villa is deeply shocked and profoundly saddened to learn that Gary Shaw, one of our European Cup-winning heroes, has passed away,” the club said in a statement.

“Gary was one of our own, a talented striker who delighted supporters with his goal-scoring exploits, which helped fire Villa to success in the 1980s. Individual accolades would also follow for a player who was idolised by many on the terraces.

“He passed away peacefully earlier today surrounded by his family, who asked Aston Villa to release a statement on their behalf.

“The thoughts of everyone at the club are with Gary’s family and loved ones at this extremely difficult time.”