European Cup winner Rimmer dies aged 78

European Cup winner Rimmer dies aged 78Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Rimmer joined Aston Villa in 1977 and spent seven years at the club Published14 August 2026, 10:50 BSTUpdated 40 minutes agoEuropean Cup winner and former Aston Villa and Manchester United goalkeeper Jimmy Rimmer has died at the age of 78.The Southport-born goalkeeper was on the bench when United beat Benfica to win the 1968 European Cup.Rimmer started Villa’s 1-0 win over Bayern Munich in the 1982 European Cup final, though he was replaced by Nigel Spink after nine minutes because of a neck injury.He started every game of Villa’s run to the final, as he did in their league title-winning campaign of 1980-81.Rimmer made 229 league appearances for the Midlands club, and also spent time with Swansea City and Arsenal. He won the latter’s player of the season award in 1974-75.Rimmer earned one England cap in a friendly against Italy in 1976.Aston Villa and Manchester United both stated they were “deeply saddened” by Rimmer’s death, while Arsenal also paid tribute.Rimmer’s former United team-mate Alex Stepney, a fellow goalkeeper, stated on social media: “Such sad news to hear Jimmy Rimmer has passed away, rest in peace and lots of love to Jimmy’s family x.”Follow Aston Villa on BBC SoundsPre-match, post-match and topical Villa content Listen on Sounds