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From failing a football proficiency test at school to lifting the European Cup with Aston Villa, 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.
Subscribe now to the Official Aston Villa Podcast and never miss an episode and to check out a full video version of this podcast head to: https://www.avfc.co.uk/video/
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"Kenny Swaine: “I Did One Thing Right in That Cup Final”" is an episode of Villa Podcast: The Official Aston Villa Podcast. Runtime 1 hr 8 min. Published June 23, 2026. Hit play above to stream it here, or open the free Spot Sports app for background play and offline downloads.