AN ELATED Prince William roared as his his beloved Aston Villa beat Bayern Munich in a huge Champions League clash.
Villans fan Wills was at Villa Park to watch his team’s battle with the Bundesliga giants – led by England skipper Harry Kane.
The Prince of Wales, 42, was seen cheering on his team from the stands as they beat Bayern Munich 1-0.
Television footage showed William clapping and cheering as home fans thought they took the lead through Pau Torres – but the goal was ruled out for offside.
Jhon Duran was the matchwinner this time as he continued his role of super sub, with a 79th-minute strike his fifth goal after coming off the bench this season.
It sent Villa Park wild as memories of that famous night in 1982 were evoked, with Prince William leading the celebrations from the stand.
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After the game, William said: “I’ve lost my voice. I can’t quite believe it. 42 years.”
Players from the 1982 Euro final – where Villa beat Bayern 1-0 thanks to a Peter Withe strike – met before the game.
And Wills got a chance to speak to Villa legends and even get close to the famous European Cup trophy.
In a touching tribute, the players posed with football shirts including one in the name of former striker Gary Shaw.
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The footy legend died earlier this month aged 63-years-old.
Wills posted online at the time: “The last time @AVFCOfficial won in the top European competition, it was the month before I was born.
“Let’s hope tonight is the first step towards another European adventure!
“My thoughts this evening are also with Villa legend Gary Shaw’s friends and family following his passing yesterday.”
The Prince of Wales shared the group photo with the football legends on X, formerly known as Twitter.
He wrote: “42 years on, our 1982 European Cup winning legends are here on a historic night for @AVFCOfficial.
“Ready for the first game on home turf in this year’s European adventure… #UTV (Up the Villa).”
Villa, who opened their European campaign with a 3-0 win away at Swiss side Young Boys, played their first home fixture in Europe’s top competition since a quarter-final defeat to Juventus in 1983.
Earlier on Wednesday, footballing stars including former Scotland player Ally McCoist received honours from William at an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle.
McCoist, who was made an OBE, said the pair talked about football, including Aston Villa’s European tie.
McCoist said: “I’m obviously well aware that the prince is an Aston Villa fan – they’ve got a very, very big game tonight, which I think he’s going to.
“So we spoke about that, and just generally working in broadcasting and life really.”
Former England international Karen Carney, who was made an OBE, said she had “some banter” with William – who supports the rival team to her Birmingham City.
“To be brutally honest, a lot of people know I’m a Birmingham City fan, there’s a big game at Aston Villa tonight,” Carney said.
“Obviously with Prince William being a Villa fan I thought there was a good opportunity for some banter with him.
“He was really gracious, he’s going to the game, which is cool.
“So we just chatted about football really which is I think the common language for everybody.
“I think everyone can talk about football which is really good.
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“I’ve met him previously with the Lionesses. He’s a football fan for both the men’s and women’s game, which is really cool.”
Earlier this year, William was seen cheering on the England men’s national team at the Euros.
Inside Prince William’s love of Aston Villa
PRINCE WILLIAM is an avid Aston Villa fan who goes crazy watching matches and regularly speaks to players.
The Prince of Wales revealed he chose to support the club when he was younger as they were a middle-of-the-table team who could offer him the rollercoaster of emotions he was looking for in football fandom.
William recalled the start of his Villa journey, saying: “A long time ago at school I got into football big time.
“All my friends were Chelsea or Manchester United fans and I didn’t really want to follow the run-of-the-mill team.
“I wanted to have a team that was more mid-table that could give me more emotional rollercoaster moments.
“Aston Villa has always had a great history.”
William’s love for the Villans is now shared by wife Kate.
The couple and their children have attended Villa games in the past and Prince George used to a big fan.
But George has turned to Chelsea as his club of choice, with a disappointed William revealing: “I said you can support anyone but Chelsea, so naturally he supports Chelsea.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
