Aston Villa legend Gary Shaw is in hospital in a serious condition after a fall – as fans share messages of support for the 1982 European Cup winner
- Gary Shaw became a legend at Aston Villa over 11 glittering years with the club
- Shaw, a former striker, famously won the European Cup in 1982 with the Villans
- SOCCER A-Z: Listen now wherever you get your podcasts, or watch on YouTube. New episodes every Wednesday
Aston Villa legend Gary Shaw is reportedly in hospital in a serious condition after suffering a head injury following a fall.
Shaw, 63, is an icon at Villa Park after he helped the club to win the First Division in 1981, while he was also a crucial part of Villa’s 1982 European Cup winning team.
He is widely-regarded as one of the greatest forwards in Villa’s history and scored 79 goals in 213 games.
After the worrying news, which was reported by BBC Radio WM, several Villa fans and former players sent their well-wishes to Shaw.
Stan Collymore, a boyhood supporter who also played for the club, posted on X: ‘Villans, Gary Shaw is very poorly in hospital after a fall.
Aston Villa legend Gary Shaw is reportedly in hospital in a serious condition after a fall
Shaw (left) is an icon at Villa after he won the European Cup with the club back in 1982
Shaw scored 79 goals in 213 games for Villa and is seen as one of the club’s greatest forwards
‘I’m sure the Villa family will rally round and give one of our greatest our love and support at this incredibly difficult time.
‘Ledge, you’re my hero, and I’m thinking of you.’
Project B6, a fan account, added: ‘Thoughts on an 8th minute round of applause in support of our original star boy Gary Shaw v Everton on Saturday? A Villan, a League and European Cup winner, a true legend of Aston Villa Football Club.’
Meanwhile, another supporter said: ‘Best wishes and a speedy recovery to Gary Shaw. Boyhood hero and Villa Legend. Send him positive vibes Villa fans.’
Shaw – who was voted as the PFA Young Player of the Year during Villa’s title-winning campaign in 1981 – eventually left the club in 1988 after struggling with injuries.
Several former Villa players and supporters sent their best wishes to the 63-year-old
Shaw (left), pictured with strike partner Peter Withe, is also a matchday ambassador for Villa
The striker went on to play in Denmark, Austria and Hong Kong, while he also represented Blackpool, Shrewsbury Town, Kilmarnock and Walsall during a decorated career.
He retired from football in 1992 and has since spent time working as a statistical analyst, while he still has a role as a matchday ambassador for Villa.
Shaw, who also won seven caps for England Under 21s, spent just over a decade with Villa after starting his apprenticeship with the club in 1977.
