Ricardo Villa

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Lore & Background

Villa was born in Roque Pérez, Buenos Aires. He played for Quilmes, Atlético de Tucumán and Racing Club in the 1970s. He was a member of the Argentine team that won the 1978 FIFA World Cup, making two appearances as a substitute in the second round. He was signed by Tottenham Hotspur's Keith Burkinshaw together with Ossie Ardiles. He scored on his debut against Nottingham Forest at the City Ground. He scored 25 goals in 179 Spurs appearances, including the winning goal against Manchester City in the 1981 FA Cup Final replay, for which he won the Wembley goal of the century award in 2001. He also opened the scoring in the 8th minute of that final replay. He was withdrawn from the 1982 FA Cup Final Tottenham team due to the outbreak of the Falklands Conflict. He played on in Argentina, Colombia and the United States before ending his career with Defensa y Justicia. He represented Argentina in the 1991 World Cup of Masters, scoring against England in the opening round. He dedicated himself to politics in the 1990s, and since July 2005 has been the technical secretary of Talleres de Córdoba. He resides in Villa Carlos Paz with his wife and four children. In November 2007, FIFA announced that all members of winning World Cup squads prior to 1982 would receive World Cup winners medals, including Villa. On 7 February 2008, Villa and Ossie Ardiles were inducted into the Tottenham Hotspur Hall of Fame.

In Their Own Story

The 1981 FA Cup Final replay at Wembley was a stage set for immortality. After the first final had ended in a draw, Villa and his Spurs teammates faced Manchester City again. Villa opened the scoring in the 8th minute, giving Tottenham an early lead. But it was his second goal that would echo through history. Picking up the ball, he danced through the Manchester City defense, weaving past challenges with a low center of gravity and close control, before slotting the ball home. That goal, a moment of individual brilliance in a team sport, won him the Wembley goal of the century award in 2001. It remains the defining image of his time at Tottenham Hotspur.

Reader's Guide

Ricardo Villa is an Argentine football coach and former professional midfielder. He played for multiple clubs including Quilmes, Atlético de Tucumán, Racing Club, Tottenham Hotspur, and later in Argentina, Colombia, the United States, and Defensa y Justicia. He won the 1978 FIFA World Cup with Argentina and the FA Cup with Tottenham Hotspur in 1980–81.

Did You Know?

• Villa scored the winning goal in the 1981 FA Cup Final replay against Manchester City, which won the Wembley goal of the century award in 2001.
• He was withdrawn from the 1982 FA Cup Final due to the Falklands Conflict.
• He was inducted into the Tottenham Hotspur Hall of Fame on 7 February 2008.