Prince William's enduring loyalty to Aston Villa has recently come to the forefront, particularly following his unexpected engagement with fans in Birmingham. On the same day that Villa faced Everton at Goodison Park, the Prince of Wales was in the city to address a College of Paramedics conference. With a limited window of an hour and a half before his train journey back, he chose to connect with Villa supporters at a local Wetherspoon's pub.
Reports from talkSPORT indicate that William enjoyed a Bulmers cider during a 45-minute discussion that covered various aspects of the club's recent activities. Steve Jones, a Villa supporter involved in organising the gathering, expressed his astonishment at the Prince's extensive knowledge of the team. "We brought up a couple of topics and he was very eloquent," Jones shared with The Athletic. "He didn't have to look up to his aides; he knew everything. We spoke about the recent West Ham game and the changes (Unai) Emery made in the second half. He started speaking about double pivots and how Emery moved Youri Tielemans' position. We were like, 'What?'"
Jones further revealed that the 42-year-old Prince, who also serves as president of the Football Association (FA), is well-informed about Villa's affairs. "He said he keeps abreast of Villa gossip because he is on all the fans' forums," Jones noted. "He goes under different names and he posts on there because that's how he gets the feeling of what's going on and what's the opinion." This revelation may prompt Villa fans to reconsider their interactions on forums, as they could potentially be engaging with the Prince himself.
William's insights on player Ollie Watkins would undoubtedly be of interest, particularly following Watkins' recent goal that secured a vital 1-0 victory over Everton. The Prince has already made an appearance at Villa Park this season, where he witnessed the team's impressive 1-0 triumph over Bayern Munich in the Champions League, thanks to a stunning strike from Jhon Duran—a moment that resonated with the club's historic 1982 European Cup final success against the same opponents.
The Prince's passion for Aston Villa ignited back in 2000 when he attended the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley, where Villa triumphed over Bolton. "It was fantastic; I sat with all the fans with my red beanie on, and I was sat with all the Brummie fans and had a great time," he recalled in an interview with the BBC. "It was the atmosphere, the camaraderie, and I really felt there was something I could connect with."
Manager Unai Emery has also acknowledged the Prince's commitment to the club, emphasising that his support predates Villa's recent successes. "Two years ago, when we were not in Europe, he was coming to our training ground, watching the sessions, having lunch with us," Emery remarked to CBS Sports. "He's very humble with us. We appreciate a lot his visits to us."
Prince William's deep-rooted allegiance to Aston Villa continues to resonate with fans, highlighting a connection that transcends his royal duties and adds a personal touch to his support for the club. This unique relationship not only enriches the narrative surrounding Villa but also reinforces the sense of community that the club embodies.