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.