Great saves of the 80s: 1981 Jimmy Rimmer

The sad news that Jimmy Rimmer had passed away has rightly led to tributes from the clubs he represented with fine distinction during his career. Starting at Manchester United and spending two spells at Swansea, it was when Rimmer joined Arsenal in 1974 that his abilities were truly recognised.

In truth, that Arsenal team of the mid 1970s were in a sorry mess. The double of 1971 was a distant memory as manager Bertie Mee struggled to replace the players that had brought success to the club. Arsenal narrowly avoided relegation in a couple of seasons, with Rimmer a key man in keeping the Gunners in the top flight.

Golden goals: Tony Morley (1981)

Generally there are always matches that a team will look back on at the end of a title winning season as the moment they knew something special was happening. The belief-affirming victory that convinced players, fans and media alike that this team could last the duration. Think Everton at Anfield in 1984/85; Arsenal at the same ground in 2001/02; Chelsea at Blackburn in 2004/05; Leicester at the Etihad.

In February 1981, Aston Villa travelled to Goodison Park neck and neck in a title race with Bobby Robson's Ipswich Town. A month earlier hopes had been raised in the claret and blue section of the second city that the title could be coming to Villa Park for the first time in 71 years. The 2-0 victory over champions Liverpool was a vital step towards the ultimate goal, and another would come at Everton.