Jimmy Rimmer, Two-Time European Cup Winner, Dies at 78
Former Aston Villa goalkeeper Jimmy Rimmer, who was part of the club’s historic European Cup triumph in 1982, has died at the age of 78. Aston Villa announced Rimmer’s death on Friday, paying tribute to a goalkeeper whose career spanned more than two decades and included success with two different English clubs in the European Cup. Rimmer began his senior career at Manchester United and was part of the squad that won the European Cup in 1968, although he did not feature in the final against Benfica. He later played for Arsenal before joining Aston Villa, where he became the club’s first-choice goalkeeper. Rimmer helped Villa win the 1980–81 First Division title before playing a role in their memorable European Cup campaign the following season. Villa faced Bayern Munich in the 1982 European Cup final in Rotterdam and secured a historic 1–0 victory, with Peter Withe scoring the winning goal. Rimmer started the final but his appearance lasted only nine minutes after he was forced off with an injury. Nigel Spink replaced him and went on to deliver a standout performance as Villa lifted the European Cup. Although he could not finish the final, Rimmer was recognised as part of the winning team and received his second European Cup winners’ medal. He made 229 league appearances for Aston Villa and also represented England, earning one senior international cap. Rimmer’s European Cup triumphs with Manchester United and Aston Villa placed him among the select group of English players to win the competition with two different clubs.
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