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.
Winning Arsenal's player of the season in 1974/75, Arsenal fans truly recognised his worth, and Rimmer would win his only international cap in 1976. But with new manager Terry Neill in charge, Rimmer was sold to Aston Villa in 1977 on the arrival of Pat Jennings at Highbury.
Establishing himself as the number one at Villa Park, Rimmer would only miss one league match in the next five seasons - a young keeper called Nigel Spink deputising for him on Boxing Day 1979 - as the club went from strength to strength under the management of Ron Saunders.
Winning the title at Highbury in May 1981 must have been a sweet moment for Rimmer. Villa's first league championship win in 71 years would lead to more success the following season, but for both manager and goalkeeper there would be a tinge of regret.
Saunders departed Villa Park in February 1982, after a contract row, with chief scout Tony Barton stepping up to steer the team through the rest of the season. Guiding Villa through the quarter and semi finals of the European Cup, amazingly Barton would lead the club to lift the trophy in Rotterdam, as the mighty Bayern Munich were defeated 1-0.
The final would not be a happy occasion for Rimmer. Coming into the match with a neck injury, Barton gambled that his keeper could make it through the match. But after just nine minutes, Rimmer was forced to come off. That young lad Spink came on for his first match since 1979, performing heroics as Villa clung on.
Rimmer had now won two European Cups with just nine minutes of action - having previously been an unused substitute for Manchester United in 1968 - as the keeper became a trivia question for years to come. But his role in Villa's triumph went beyond his brief display in Rotterdam. There is a strong argument to state that without Rimmer, Villa would not have even reached the final.
For evidence of Rimmer's influence on Villa's European Cup run, look no further than the second round matches against East German champions Dynamo Berlin. The away match behind the Iron Curtain was a daunting prospect. "Villa will do well to return with a draw or a manageable defeat," the Times' Norman Fox noted. Due to Rimmer, they came away with much more than that.
All appeared to be going well when Tony Morley gave Villa the lead after five minutes, but when Hans Jürgen Riediger equalised just after half-time, Villa were under pressure. The visitors held firm, yet with just ten minutes remaining, substitute Ivor Linton conceded a penalty, as the East German pressure looked like it would be rewarded.
Artur Ullrich sent Rimmer the wrong way, but fortunately his effort struck the post. Unfortunately for Villa, the ball then struck a sprawling Rimmer, rebounding invitingly for the penalty taker. Ullrich may not have struck his next effort as cleanly as would have wanted, and it was down the middle of the goal. But in the circumstances it looked good enough.
Rimmer leapt to his feet, somehow managing to steer Ullrich's attempt over the bar with his outstretched left leg. It was instinctive, and the kind of moment we are often told that keeper's train for throughout the year. Rimmer's ability to spring back up, regain his bearings, and pull off a reflex save would prove crucial. His relieved teammates swamped Rimmer to celebrate the moment.
Just three minutes later, Morley would grab a winner on the break - flicking the Vs to Saunders in the process - as Villa left Berlin with a smash and grab victory. Normally, this greatest saves series covers one memorable goalkeeping moment. But here you have two for the price of one. Rimmer's save in the return leg was hugely significant.
Frank Terletzki put the visitors ahead in the 15th minute, and although Villa did everything bar score on the night, as the match progressed the nerves grew. With time ticking away, another away goal would potentially end Villa's run. A cross from the right ended up at Riediger's right foot just six yards out. He toe-poked an effort that looked destined to break Villa hearts.
Anyone who has been mad enough to play in goal will know how good Rimmer's save was. Reacting in milliseconds, Rimmer flicked out his left hand and turned Riediger's effort on to the post. Commentator Hugh Johns, in much the same way as both David Coleman and Brian Moore did when Jim Montgomery pulled off his miracle save in the 1973 FA Cup final, was ready to describe the inevitable goal.
"Oh yes," Johns said, before hastily having to change direction. "Oh, good gracious me. How did that stay out?" The answer was at the end of Rimmer's left arm. His quite stunning save helped Villa sneak through on away goals and into the last eight of the European Cup. Wins over Dynamo Kyiv and Anderlecht saw Villa reach the final.
Part of Aston Villa's tribute to Rimmer describes how distraught he was to leave the pitch so early in Rotterdam. "Rimmer was in tears in the dressing room as he received treatment from club doctor David Targett, although he was back in the dug-out in time to witness Peter Withe’s winning goal and join in the post-match celebrations."
If ever there was a man who earned the right to join in with the victory party then it was Rimmer. His contribution en route to the final was undeniable, the two matches against Dynamo Berlin solid evidence of the part he played in landing Villa the European Cup. Saves that took the breath away, building the foundations for the greatest night in Aston Villa's history.
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