Former Aston Villa striker Gary Shaw, one of the players who won the European Cup in 1982, has died at the age of 63, the Premier League club announced on Monday.
The Birmingham-based team did not disclose the cause of death, but British media reported Shaw died from injuries sustained in a fall.
Shaw, who represented England under-21s, scored 79 goals in 213 games for his boyhood club Villa. He later played for Danish side Kjobenhavns Boldklub, English League Two side Walsall and Scottish side Kilmarnock, among other clubs.
Shaw also won the First Division title with Villa in 1980–81 and the European Super Cup in 1982. The First Division was the precursor to the Premier League, the top flight of English football before 1992–93.
“Aston Villa is deeply shocked and deeply saddened to learn that Gary Shaw, one of our European Cup-winning heroes, has passed away,” the club said in a statement.
“Gary was one of us, a talented striker who delighted fans with his goalscoring exploits, helping catapult Villa to success in the 1980s. Individual plaudits would also follow later for a player who was idolised by many in the stands.
“He passed away peacefully this morning surrounded by his family, who have asked Aston Villa to issue a statement on his behalf.
“The thoughts of everyone at the club are with Gary's family and loved ones at this extremely difficult time.”
