ASTON VILLA fans lauded the sponsor on their kit for tonight’s Europa Conference League clash.
Unai Emery’s men take on AZ Alkmaar in the Netherlands this evening.
And as well as wearing their blue geometric third kit, the Villans went for a change of shirt sponsor for the trip.
Instead of the usual controversial BK8, the strip was completed with the Aston Villa Foundation logo and its light symbol.
The foundation, first launched in 1990, became a registered charity in 2013.
It now employs 80 people to deliver 40 projects and support thousands of people across Birmingham.
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And the change went down a storm on social media when the club posted a photo from the changing room at the AFAS Stadium.
Supporters flooded the replies with waves of adoration.
One said: “Love that.”
Another wrote: “Please put this on sale.”
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A third added: “Keep this sponsor for the rest of the season.”
A fourth typed: “Sell a limited edition batch of these to raise money for the foundation.”
A fifth commented: “I was all against playing in the third strip, but that sponsor is a fantastic touch.”
Another asked: “Can I buy it with this sponsor please?!”
And a final user replied: “That’s the sort of sponsor we should be having on our kit instead of these betting companies that you promote!”
However, SunSport understands the real reason for the temporary change in shirt sponsorship is due to betting regulations in Europe – and will return to normal for Sunday’s Premier League game with Luton.
Villa wore their unpopular ‘wet-look’ home kit in their opening Group E match against Legia Warsaw in September with a blank front.
Villa’s new three-year deal with online casino BK8 was slammed by supporters in the summer.
Norwich City cancelled a partnership with the Asian betting firm after just three days in 2021 amid complaints of sexualised marketing involving young women.
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The Aston Villa Supporters’ Trust hit out at the “cynical attempt” of financial gain and accused the club of failing to listen to fans’ concerns.
Front-of-shirt gambling sponsors will be outlawed by the Premier League at the end of the 2025-26 season.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
