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Ex-Aston Villa and Wolves player Gordon Smith dies at 59

Former Villa and Wolves defender Gordon Smith has died at the age of 59.

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The Scottish left-back made 96 appearances for Villa in all competitions between 1976 and 1979 after joining for £80,000 from Partick Thistle.

He later played 42 times for Wolves after moving to Molineux in 1982 and helped them win promotion from the Second Division in 1983.

Former Aston Villa and Wolves player Gordan Smith has died aged 59

He also represented Tottenham and played for Scotland Under-23s as well as spending time in the United States at the end of his career.

Former Wolves midfielder Kenny Hibbitt said: "I am stunned by this. He was a former team-mate and it always hurts to hear this kind of news.

"My thoughts are with his family.

"As a player he was really versatile – he could play in midfield or defence – and as a person we always got on well.

"He was opinionated but he never caused any problems. This is a real shock."

While at Villa, Smith played as a substitute in extra-time in the 1977 League Cup final second replay against Everton at Old Trafford and supplied the cross that led to Brian Little's late winner.

A Villa statement said: "Everyone at the club was saddened to learn of the passing of our former left-back Gordon Smith."

A statement on Tottenham's website read: "We extend our condolences to his family and friends at this sad time."

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