Villa deliver an almost perfect European away performance with their qualification for the Final in Rotterdam rarely in doubt but trouble on the terraces holds up play for six minutes and leaves a cloud of doubt over the on pitch achievements of Tony Barton's team.

Tony Barton's Villa draw at the Constant Vanden Stock Stadium to qualify for the European Cup final courtesy of Tony Morley's single goal in the first leg. 

In total Barton had now led Villa for seventeen games and delivered nine wins, five draws and three defeats since taking over from Ron Saunders whose record over 35 games in 1981-82 had been fifteen wins, eight draws and twelve losses.

Anderlecht erect a defensive wall with six and at times seven at the back, played more balls ball to their own ‘keeper than to forward positions, like Albion adopted a blatant offside tactic and wasted time from the very first minute. But Tony Barton’s Villa prevail after Rimmer passes to Williams, on to Cowans, who coaxes the ball to Shaw, back to Cowans, who releases Morley, and the winger plants a left foot shot in off the upright after 27’.

Villa face R.S.C. Anderlecht for the first time in competitive football, Anderlecht become the 121st team that the Villa first team has played in League or Cup football, Villa’s ninth continental European opponents and their second from Belgium following Royal Antwerp in 1975-76.

Tony Barton's Villa win at home to Anderlecht courtesy of Tony Morley's second goal in three games and take a crucial lead into the European Cup semi final second leg at the Constant Vanden Stock Stadium. Barton had now led Villa for thirteen games and delivered six wins, four draws and three defeats since taking over from Ron Saunders whose record over 35 games in 1981-82 had been fifteen wins, eight draws and twelve losses.