Former Aston Villa striker Gary Shaw has passed away at the age of 63 due to injuries from a fall.

Shaw played a key role in Villa's triumphs, helping them secure the 1981 league title and the European Cup in 1982. Having risen through the youth system at his boyhood club, he scored 79 goals in 213 appearances for Villa.

“Aston Villa Football Club is deeply shocked and profoundly saddened to learn that Gary Shaw, one of our European Cup-winning heroes, has passed away,” the club said on Monday.

“Gary was one of our own, a talented striker who delighted supporters with his goalscoring exploits which helped fire Villa to success in the 1980s. Individual accolades would also follow for a player who was idolised by many on the terraces.

“He passed away peacefully earlier today surrounded by his family, who asked Aston Villa to release a statement on their behalf.

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“The thoughts of everyone at the club are with Gary’s family and loved ones at this extremely difficult time.”

Shaw was awarded the Professional Footballers’ Association Young Player of the Year in 1981 and named European Young Player of the Year in 1982.

The former England Under-21 striker also had stints with Blackpool, Walsall, Kilmarnock, and Shrewsbury Town. After retiring from football in 1992, he worked as a statistical analyst and served as a club ambassador at Villa Park.