Prince William sends personal message to Aston Villa ahead of their Europa League final against Freiburg.
The Prince of Wales is heading to Istanbul on Wednesday to watch the Birmingham-based compete in their first major European final in more than four decades.
Wednesday’s Europa League showdown against German side Freiburg represents Villa’s biggest continental match since their European Cup victory over Bayern Munich in Rotterdam back in 1982.
Prince William was born less than a month after that historic triumph.
Prince William sends personal message to Aston Villa ahead of their Europa League final against Freiburg.
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The Prince of Wales wrote on social media: “Come on Villa! Good luck in tonight’s Europa League final. UTV!”
The Birmingham club are desperate to end a lengthy silverware drought, having last claimed a trophy when they defeated Leeds United in the 1996 League Cup final at Wembley.
Earlier this month, he was pictured at Villa Park to see Unai Emery’s side dispatch Nottingham Forest in the second-leg semi-final of the Europa League.
Manager Unai Emery disclosed that the prince had made his way to the changing room following Thursday’s semi-final triumph to celebrate alongside the squad.
“He was in the dressing room with the players and with me, and of course, he is so happy as well,” the Spanish coach said.
The Prince of Wales is heading to Istanbul on Wednesday to watch the Birmingham-based compete in their first major European final in more than four decades.
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GETTY
The morning after the semi-final, a visibly tired William co-hosted a garden party at Buckingham Palace alongside the Princess of Wales, representing the King at the event.
William acknowledged his fatigue, admitting he had “bags under the eyes” following the late-night celebrations.
Catherine revealed that their three children had been permitted to stay up and watch the match from home, joking about the noise levels as the young royals cheered on their father’s team from the sofa.
The Prince of Wales has supported Villa since his school days, despite having no family connections to the Midlands.
The Prince of Wales has supported Villa since his school days, despite having no family connections to the Midlands.
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GETTY
He explained his choice in 2015, saying he wanted to avoid following the same clubs as his classmates.
“A long time ago at school, I got into football big time,” he said. “All my friends at school were either Man United fans or Chelsea fans and I didn’t want to follow the run-of-the-mill teams.
“I wanted to have a team that was more mid-table that could give me more emotional rollercoaster moments.”
His first experience at Villa Park came during an FA Cup semi-final against Bolton in 2000, which the club won on penalties.