Ricardo Julio Villa was born on August 18, 1952 in Roque Perez, Argentina.
He played for Quilmes, Club Atlético Tucumán and Racing Club. Together with Ossie Ardiles, he was snapped up by Tottenham's Keith Burkinshaw after Argentina's success in the 1978 FIFA World Cup.
Arriving to a ticker tape welcome at White Hart Lane, Villa scored one goal against Nottingham Forest on his debut. Villa scored 18 goals in 133 Spurs appearances, none more spectacular than his winning goal against Manchester City in the FA Cup Final replay in 1981 – for which he won the Wembley goal of the century award in 2001.
With 14 minutes left on the clock, Villa picked up the ball inside City's half, jinked past three defenders and slotted the ball home. It was an incredible strike and meant Spurs won the game 3-2. It was also justly voted the Wembley goal of the century in 2001.
John Motson's commentary of the strike still sends a shiver down the spine of Spurs fans even today: "Villa. And still Ricky Villa. What a fantastic run, he scores; amazing goal!"
Villa left Spurs in 1983 but played on in the United States, Colombia and Argentina before ending his career in the lower leagues of Argentine football with Defensa y Justicia.
