Before the start of 1976–77, Keegan revealed Liverpool's primary aim was to flourish in Europe: "There's a tremendous ambition among all the lads to win the European Cup. We've won everything else in the last five years and there's a feeling that the European Cup is going to be next." Liverpool started the season in good form, losing only 2 of their first 16 games in the League, a run that put them top by September 1976. A blip during the Christmas period, which included a 5–1 defeat to Aston Villa, did not prevent Liverpool from winning their tenth League championship. Liverpool were again successful in Europe, reaching the final of the European Cup for the first time and beating Borussia Mönchengladbach 3–1 to become the champions of Europe. Paisley's team were denied a treble of trophies when they lost the FA Cup final to Manchester United.