Yahoo News Unai Emery sends classy Gary Shaw message as Aston Villa dream of Champions League repeat
Unai Emery has paid tribute to Aston Villa legend Gary Shaw, who has sadly passed away at the age of 63.
Villa are gearing up for their first match among the the European elite against Young Boys on Tuesday night, but the club is in mourning following the death of Shaw. Widely regarded as one of the club's greatest ever forwards, Shaw won the Division One title with Villa in 1981, before he also played a key role in the club's European triumph a year later.
"My condolences to the family and all the supporters at Villa," Emery said in his pre-match press conference. "We have a memory always, in our training ground a picture of 1982 and the European Cup. He was a protagonist of that. My condolences to them. Yes, I think it’s sad and we can use it as motivation."
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Shaw had been in a serious condition in hospital after suffering a head injury as the result of a fall and Villa confirmed the news of his passing earlier this afternoon via social media.
"Aston Villa Football Club is deeply shocked and profoundly saddened to learn that Gary Shaw, one of our European Cup-winning heroes, has passed away," a statement reads.
"Gary was one of our own, a talented striker who delighted supporters with his goalscoring exploits which helped fire Villa to success in the 1980s. Individual accolades would also follow for a player who was idolised by many on the terraces.
"He passed away peacefully earlier today surrounded by his family, who asked Aston Villa to release a statement on their behalf.
"The thoughts of everyone at the club are with Gary's family and loved ones at this extremely difficult time."
