League Cup winners, on this day 50 years ago!

March 1, 1975. Fifty years ago on this very day. Aston Villa marched down Wembley Way, before the iconic Twin Towers, and lifted the League Cup for the second time.

Just four years prior, in 1971, they had made the same journey to the same iconic stadium, but fallen at the final hurdle, suffering late heartbreak as Martin Chivers netted two goals in the final 15 minutes to ensure it would be Tottenham Hotspur climbing the steps into the Royal Box and lifting the trophy.

But this time would be different. Villa had won the competition for the first time some 14 years before, in 1961, and wanted to taste success again.

The final was a unique one, in the sense it would be the first to be contested between two teams in Division Two – a status it retains half a century later.

Ron Saunders’ Villans, and Norwich City, both battling it out at the top of the Second Division, both who would go on to achieve promotion to the top flight later that year.

They met at Wembley, and shared a tie which Villa dominated. Not a huge scoreline, but that didn’t matter. What really mattered, was what happened 11 minutes from time.

Saunders’ side had controlled much of the game, but didn’t have anything to show for it. That until ‘Chico’ Hamilton swung in a corner from the right, and Chris Nicholl crashed a header goalwards, which was only kept out by a magnificent save.

That save, however, was not made by Norwich goalkeeper Kevin Keelan, but right full-back Mel Machin. He had clawed the ball off the goalline and away, and referee Gordon Hill had no alternative but to point to the spot.

Ray Graydon stepped up and smashed a penalty to the right of Keelan in the Canaries goal, but the Aston Villa academy graduate sprung to the side to tip the ball onto the post and haunt his former team. Or so he thought.

The ball cannoned back off the woodwork and conveniently landed back at the feet of Graydon. He took one touch to steady himself. He couldn’t miss. He didn’t miss. He hit his half-volley into the gaping goal, and the Villans were ahead.

There was euphoric joy amongst the Villa faithful who had made the trip down to London and formed part of a 95,000+ attendance at the national stadium. They were now less than 10 minutes from silverware.

Less than 10 minutes later, Ron Saunders had masterminded a Wembley success. A Wembley success which had been three years in the making.

Two years prior, in 1973, his Norwich side had been denied their second League Cup crown, with a 1-0 defeat to Spurs at Wembley.

The year after, he had moved to Manchester City, and he had again reached the League Cup Final. But again, he was on the losing side, as City were beaten 2-1 by Wolverhampton Wanderers.

This time, however, this time was different. He became the first manager in history to appear in three-successive League Cup Finals with three different clubs, and this time, he had the winner’s medal to show for it.

“Having lost twice myself it makes this victory all the sweeter,” he said after the match. “It makes you appreciate it more.”

“The main thing was that after getting to Wembley I stepped up training and became more critical, both with individuals and the team. The players have responded marvellously.”

And so, captain Ian Ross climbed those famous stairs, at this famous stadium. Into that famous Royal Box to lift that precious piece of silverware.

Villa’s triumph also meant they qualified for Europe the following year, for the very first time. They competed in the UEFA Cup in 1975/76, losing to Antwerp of Belgium 5-1 on aggregate at the first-round stage.

But Villa could enjoy their moment, and would have more moments to enjoy that season, too. A remarkable run of just one defeat and two draws from the 18 league matches they contested between the turn of the year and the end of the 1974/75 campaign – including winning their final eight matches – meant they finished second to only Manchester United in the table, pipping Norwich by five points.

A truly memorable day at Wembley Stadium, 50 years ago.