Prince William recently enjoyed a casual gathering with Aston Villa supporters at a Wetherspoon pub in Birmingham, just ahead of the team's away fixture against Everton. The royal, who has long been an ardent supporter of the club, spent around 30 minutes engaging in conversation with eight season ticket holders, sharing insights and enthusiasm about their beloved team.
During his visit, the Prince savoured a pint of Bulmers cider while discussing the upcoming match. Although the pub staff remained discreet regarding the payment details for the drinks, the atmosphere was notably relaxed. One supporter described Prince William as a "genuine bloke who really loves Villa," expressing his anticipation for what he expected to be "a tough game."
This informal meeting was initiated by Prince William himself, who had requested Aston Villa to facilitate the opportunity for him to connect with dedicated fans. Among the attendees was Daniel Jones, an 18-year-old sixth form student from Burntwood, Staffordshire. He characterised the Prince as a "lovely guy, proper down to earth," noting that William's passion for Aston Villa resonated deeply with the supporters. Jones remarked, "I think if he didn't have other commitments, he would have loved to be at the match."
Another fan, John McEvoy, 64, from Solihull, recounted a personal story shared by the Prince about his first experience at an Aston Villa game, which was against Bolton, facilitated by a family friend. McEvoy noted that William expressed concerns about the upcoming match, stating, "William thought it would be a tough game tonight as Everton have got their old manager back and teams get a bounce when they have a change of manager."
Prior to his visit to the Wetherspoon at Birmingham New Street station, Prince William attended the inaugural emergency and critical care conference organised by the College of Paramedics, an institution where he has been named patron.
The match between Aston Villa and Everton is scheduled to kick off at 19:30 GMT. A victory for Villa could see them rise to seventh place in the Premier League standings. This encounter poses a significant challenge, as Everton, currently in 16th place, has recently reinstated former manager David Moyes.
Prince William's devotion to Aston Villa has been well-documented. He previously shared, "A long time ago at school I got into football big time. I was looking around for clubs. 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." Earlier this season, he notably lost his voice while cheering for the team during their first Champions League home match in 41 years, which ended in a 1-0 victory over Bayern Munich.
Reports from the BBC highlight that Prince William's genuine enthusiasm for Aston Villa and his ability to connect with fellow fans during his visit underscored the strong bond that unites supporters of the club. This connection not only reflects the Prince's commitment to his team but also the shared passion that defines the Aston Villa community.