Rimmer joined Aston Villa in 1977 and spent seven years at the club [Getty Images] European 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 said they were "deeply saddened" by Rimmer's death. Rimmer's former United team-mate Alex Stepney, a fellow goalkeeper, said 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."
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