Champions League

PRINCE William and George have been left heartbroken after they watched Aston Villa narrowly drop out of the Champions League.The royal pair watched through 90 minutes of ecstasy and turmoil as they saw PSG score twice early on before Unai Emery’s side pulled back three goals.William and George watched a roller coaster of a game between Aston Villa and PSGCredit: .Wills watched on from behind his fingers as PSG took an early leadCredit: RexAn excitable William was up on his feet after Ezri Konsa scored Villa’s third goal on the nightCredit: PAGeorge roared from the stands as Villa managed to take the lead the game in the second halfCredit: .The Prince of Wales cheering on the English side from the stands next to his nervous sonCredit: PAGeorge and Wills were also joined by the Duke and Duchess of Westminster up in the standsCredit: GettyYoung Prince George, 11, donned a half-and-half scarf as he played with his hands nervously pre-game.The Prince of Wales, 42, was also seen with a drink in his hand as he stood in the hospitality box at the packed out stadium. Fans soon took to their seats as the match kicked off but the stadium was quickly left frustrated when PSG scored twice in the first 27 minutes.William held his head in his hands as PSG defender Achraf Hakimi slotted home the first.read more in Aston VillaA second left the hopeful crowd stunned.PSG were leading the tie by four goals at this point and cruising into the semi finals – leaving Unai Emery’s side with a mountain to climb.Despite the daunting scoreline, a big comeback was still on the cards as Belgian midfielder Youri Tielemans pulled one back in the 34th minute.A valiant Villa came out for the second half raring to make history.Most read in Champions LeagueThey were inspired by Scottish skipper John McGinn who scored within 10 minutes of the restart.Before towering English centre back Ezri Konsa gave Aston Villa the lead on the night.George donned a half-and-half scarf as Wills held a drink in hand pre-matchCredit: ReutersPrince William and Prince George in the stands at Villa ParkCredit: .PSG’s Achraf Hakimi scored an early goal to leave Aston Villa with a huge scoreline to overcomeCredit: APUnai Emery was left furious after the first two goals went in for PSGCredit: GettyWilliam was seen jumping for joy as the Villa players celebrated with a passionate George roaring on the team.The pair were also joined in the VIP box by the Duke and Duchess of Westminster.Billionaire aristocrat Hugh Grosvenor, 34, and his wife Olivia, 32, were seen cheering on the Villans after recently announcing they are expecting a baby. Aston Villa pushed for an equaliser in the tie for the final 30 minutes but couldn’t find a fourth goal on the night.Despite winning the game 3-2 at Villa Park, they narrowly missed out on the semi-final due to a 5-4 aggregate scoreline for PSG.The Premier League outfit were let down by their first leg performance where they were outclassed in Paris.A Morgan Rogers’ opener was ruled out by three good PSG goals which saw them take firm control of the tie.Proud Villa fans tried their best to play a part in what turned out to be a European classic but they couldn’t push McGinn’s men across the line.The future King of England joined over 40,000 fans in Villa Park this evening – including over 2,000 French supporters. Hopes were still high for a win with Villa on a 17-match unbeaten run at home in all competitions which stretches back to November 2024.William and George also went to the first leg in Paris as they went through a roller coaster of emotions in the game.The Prince of Wales was seen wildly celebrating and hugging his son after Villa’s first-half goal.But later on, the Prince was seen with his head in his hands as the full-time whistle blew at 3-1.William was in the crowd for Villa’s victory over Bayern Munich earlier in the competition and away to Monaco in January.He first fell in love with Aston Villa after being taken to a match by friends as a boy.Read More on The SunThe heir said he was gripped by the “sense of belonging” and the passion of his fellow football fans.Wills also revealed he visits fan forums anonymously online — and moves his kids around when watching at home to bring the team luck.Aston Villa captain John McGinn walking past fans earlier tonightCredit: RexWills was left with his head in his hands after the first leg ended 3-1Prince William also impressed fans with his pre-game punditry in the first leg More

MIKEL ARTETA left Arsenal fans’ hearts in their mouths with a training ground tackle on one of their few fit forwards.The Spaniard got involved in a rondo drill in the north Londoners’ final training session for the second leg of their Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid on Wednesday.Mikel Arteta got involved in Arsenal’s rondo drill during their final training session ahead of tomorrow’s Champions League clash with Real MadridCredit: PAThe Spaniard nearly clattered into Raheem Sterling with a crunching tackleCredit: PAAnd he upped the intensity of the drill by sticking it on on-loan forward Raheem Sterling, who is one of the club’s few fit forwards.Arteta slid in with his right foot after Gabriel Martinelli played the ball to the loanee.And he came dangerously close to crunching the England international.Footage of the incident spread like wildfire on social media.One of the Emirates faithful said: “24 hours before [the] biggest game of [the] season and our manager is sliding into tackles. “He’s a lunatic.”Another said: “Does he know our biggest game of the season is tomorrow ????!!!!!!”And another said: “[Can’t believe] I’m seeing Arteta attempt slide tackles during a rondo a day before the biggest game of his managerial career.”Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSMikel Arteta had to do a press-up forfeit after being nutmegged during the drillCredit: PASeconds after coming dangerously close to rattling into Sterling, Arteta found himself on the receiving end of a nutmeg.And his troops were quick to remind him that he’d have to do a press-up forfeit for allowing himself to get megged.Arsenal will take a three-goal advantage to the Bernabeu courtesy of a stunning 3-0 win over the European giants last week.How Declan Rice can be ‘world class’ AGAIN vs Real Madrid | Tactics Exposed Deano’s DecisionBut Arteta and his charges aren’t resting on their laurels, with the retired midfielder saying: “It’s on nights like this, that you can write your own history.”It came from the collective and individual quality of our players. And now we have a lot more to give.”We’re going to enjoy the win but we know it’s half-time and we’re going to have to be even better in Madrid.” More

JUDE BELLINGHAM has broken his silence following a training ground bust-up with Antonio Rudiger.The two Real Madrid stars had to be separated during a tense session ahead of tomorrow’s Champions League quarter-final second leg against Arsenal. Jude Bellingham was quizzed on his training ground bust-up ahead of the second leg versus ArsenalCredit: GettyBellingham and Antonio Rudiger were involved in a training ground altercationCredit: GettyReports in Spain claim a rash tackle on the England midfielder by the German centre-back sparked the incident.But Bellingham has played down the altercation in his post-match press conference today, saying: “It’s football, it’s normal on the pitch that emotions get high. “You communicate with team-mates louder than you’d communicate with your mum and dad.”For every negative interaction you see, there’s 20 positive interactions. READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”That will get lost in the media which is fine, as long as the team respects each other to have those honest conversations.”Arsenal head to the Santiago Bernabeu with a 3-0 lead after an incredible first leg that saw Declan Rice score two free-kicks.Bellingham insists an improved Real Madrid will be on show this time, saying: “There wasn’t one aspect of our game in the first leg that was up to the standard we expect of ourselves.”We know we can play a lot better and that’s what we want to show tomorrow. It’s one thing to lose, but it’s another thing not to learn.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS”I think there’s an expectation of Real Madrid that when we get in these holes we can come back.”In England it’s not as common but it does happen. The club have done it so many times, so the expectations are huge.”Mikel Arteta slide tackles his own player in training a day before Arsenal’s biggest game of the season vs Real Madrid And Bellingham’s boss Carlo Ancelotti believes that the Gunners are far from in the semi-final yet, adding: “We have the quality to turn this tie around, along with the commitment, the experience and the fans.”The resources are there and now it’s time to bring our best. “Mentally we’re doing very well and we have to have good control of the game.”The Santiago Bernabeu has magic and everyone knows it’s a special atmosphere.”Tomorrow we need a bit of everything – quality and a complete performance, both physically and collectively. Not one of these things can go wrong. “The motivation is there, and now I want the player to be calm before the game. I’m clear that we’re going to give it our all.” More