There have been some unforgettable European nights at Villa Park; nights when the place has reverberated to the sound of thousands of supporters singing and chanting in unison.
When Aston Villa began their defence of the European Cup in 1982, though, the match was played in the afternoon rather than the evening – and Villa Park was all-but deserted.
Crowd trouble at the previous season’s semi-final against Anderlecht in Brussels had resulted in UEFA insisting the club's next European home tie be played behind closed doors.
On the afternoon of Wednesday September 15 1982, the only people inside the stadium for the first round, first leg tie against Besiktas – apart from the players, the coaching staff and officials – were reporters, photographers and a few policemen who patrolled the terraces with dogs.
The official attendance was recorded as just 167; it was a surreal experience, to say the least.
“I’m sure the 167 figure was made up!” recalls Steve Stride, the club’s former secretary.
“UEFA had stipulated there should be no more than 200 people inside the ground, and the spectators also included police, stewards and security staff.”
Despite the absence of a proper crowd, the club still produced a limited number of programmes, which have become collectors’ items.
In his programme notes, manager Tony Barton wrote: “We welcome the Istanbul club to Villa Park and hope that we have an enjoyable game despite the problem of having to play behind closed doors. Obviously, this is a matter of regret, both from the point of view of disappointing our regular supporters and of the team losing the normal advantage of enthusiastic support from the home crowd.
“It will not be easy for the players to adapt to the strange atmosphere in an almost deserted stadium, but I am sure that, as good professionals, our lads will adjust to the circumstances.”
His prediction was spot on.
Chief Scout Malcolm Beard had undertaken a scouting mission to check out Besiktas during the run-up to the game, and his report proved to be invaluable.
After just seven minutes, Peter Withe carried on where he had left off in Rotterdam in May and unlike his winner against Bayern Munich, there was no mishit this time as he drilled a left-foot volley past Besiktas keeper Rasim.
Three minutes later, Tony Morley’s well-placed shot – also with his left foot – put Villa two-up, and by the half-hour mark it was three, Dennis Mortimer firing home with his right from just inside the penalty area.
All three goals were scored at the Holte End, although they were greeted by silence rather than tumultuous applause.
Villa had found their own motivation without the backing of the fervent fans who had followed them through their triumphant European campaign the previous season.
