Ron Saunders, Aston Villa turns down Saudi Arabia - 12th Oct 1977

[@MrVillamike]

It was Ron Saunders team that won the European cup.

[@richardedgington8480]

An absolute legend. It was a crime that he didn't ever get the massive rewards he deserved. It ultimately led to him leaving at the worse possible time.

[@pablo527]

Ellis was intimidated by the respect he had from everyone at the club and beyond. Ellis then went on in later years to name a stand after himself. Who does that? People call doug ellis Mrs Aston Villa , but not for me. It was all about him and his ego.. That stand should be renamed the Ron Saunders stand.

[@markjoyce1720]

I absolutely 100% couldn't agree more and if they don't want to do that (which they wont) rename the North stand The Ron Saunders stand.UTV

[@chindit9749]

Well done villa boy another great video....Ron Saunders..legend VTID

[@leejohnson3209]

He got Villa out of the doldrums. Built 3 good sides, the first getting promotion, the second winning domestic cups, the third winning the league and European cup and all the way through he was treated like crap. He should have been given a long contract and backed. It was short sighted ego driven arrogance.

[@InYourHeadChangedMan]

It's a shame there's no interview with him for an hour or two would love to hear him talk about his life and career in football

[@damienabbott9805]

The Villa Board of Directors did not value Ron Saunders the way they should have done considering by this stage he had won the club, promotion and two League Cups. History would repeat itself in February 1982, when the club were League Champions and were on their way to winning the European Cup. Only this time Ron would turn his back on the club for good and things would never be the same again.

[@richardedgington8480]

Sad but true

[@justincompton1838]

It was Doug Ellis why he left,they hated each other

[@damienabbott9805]

@@justincompton1838 There was due to be a takeover of Aston Villa which would pave the way for Doug Ellis as Chairman, which he did in November 1982. Rumour has it that this was one of the reasons why Ron left.

[@justincompton1838]

Hey Damien thanks for the reply, I was told by an ex villa player that they hated each other and that was why he left, I wonder what else we could have achieved if he stayed ?

[@damienabbott9805]

Hi Justin - I remember there was a Sky Sports News feature with Nigel Spink, Tony Morley and Gary Shaw and they said exactly the same thing. When they won European Cup in 1982, it was Ron Saunders' team, but by the summer of 1983 Villa had definitely become Doug Ellis' club (or at least by the summer of 1984).

[@danguchi91]

Villa Boy, hi have you got any old Villa games from the 1979-80 season

[@welshwoody217]

Biggest mistake ever was disrespecting this legend! Thanks for nothing Deadly Doug!

[@anthonybailey1966]

Saunders actually resigned when Ron Bendall was the chairman,not Ellis.....worth noting that Doug Ellis appointed Ron Saunders in the first place!

[@WillMunda]

​@@anthonybailey1966Saunders resigned because Ellis was coming back, there was personality issues between them. Ellis tried to erase the success Saunders had achieved.

[@anthonybailey1966]

@@WillMunda Saunders resigned because Bendall and the board wouldn't give him the contract he wanted...that and the financial restraints he was put under in terms of buying players(despite the success he achieved) the contract was the final straw....his resignation had nothing to do with Ellis!

[@keithgodfrey2023]

Best ever manager we ever had

[@francishuddy9462]

I always like Ron Saunders. Top bloke 👍

[@JohnCambridge-c6t]

They should rename villa park saunders park

[@keithgodfrey2023]

Ron Saunders should have stand naned after him won cups won legal