"Looking back, I was a nutter!" | Kenny Swain | Aston Villa Podcast

Football

Year2026

Duration11m

Watch Now

7.4

From failing a football proficiency test at school to lifting the European Cup with Aston Villa F.C., this is the remarkable story of club legend Kenny Swain. In this episode, Kate Tracey and Lee Hendrie sit down with the former Villa defender to reflect on a career that took him from Birkenhead to the pinnacle of European football. Kenny discusses the huge influence of legendary manager Ron Saunders, becoming both an Everton supporter and a proud “Villatonian”, and why missing out on an apprenticeship at 15 shaped his passion for supporting young players and their mental wellbeing. The conversation also covers his unusual route into football through education, choosing a move to Chelsea over teaching, the iconic 1980/81 title-winning season, and the unforgettable night in Rotterdam as Villa defeated FC Bayern Munich to become champions of Europe in 1982. Warm, funny and reflective, Kenny shares stories from a golden era of Villa history, and explains how the club transformed him from a footballer into a true professional. __ Stay ahead of the game and be the first to know when we release new videos by hitting the subscribe button For more Villa content head to the website 👉 https://video.avfc.co.uk/