- Nasima Akter
Prince William Visits Aston Villa Team
The Prince of Wales, William, has been spotted spending some quality time with his favorite soccer team, Aston Villa. The future King of England paid a visit to the Bodymoor Heath training facilities to meet with several members of the team.
After checking in at Bodymoor Heath, Prince William wasted no time in getting to know the members of Villa's academy, watching them train and offering his insights and advice. But it wasn't just the youngsters who had the pleasure of meeting royalty – the Prince of Wales also cast his eye over the first team and had a chat with Head Coach Unai Emery and his coaching staff.
Other Details on the Visit
In addition, the prince also took some time to meet with Villa Women Manager Carla Ward and members of the club's academy, who are all preparing for their upcoming games.
In photos shared on the football club's website, William can be seen standing in a circle with the men, giving a thumbs-up to the squad. The prince's enthusiasm for the sport is infectious, and it's clear that he is enjoying spending time with his favorite team.
Prince William's Love for Soccer
William's love for soccer dates back to his childhood. In a conversation with England players Harry Kane and Declan Rice in November, he revealed that he began playing the sport when he was young and quickly fell in love with it. He was given the role of a defender and fondly recalled tackling and "not being put near the front.
"I played more football than I watched when I was younger," he added, "but I've switched now because I'm getting older."
Prince William's History with Aston Villa
His passion for the sport led him to become President-Designate of The Football Association, the governing body of soccer in England, in 2005. He has since been a vocal supporter of the Aston Villa soccer team, and his latest visit to their training grounds is a testament to that.
This visit isn't the first time that Prince William has shown his support for Aston Villa. The royal has attended several games in recent years, including the team's thrilling play-off final victory over Derby County at Wembley in 2019.
He was also a guest of honor at the opening of the team's £6million training facility two years ago.
It's not hard to see why he's such a fan – Villa are one of the most historic and beloved clubs in English football, with a rich history dating back to the late 19th century.
Speaking about his love for the club, the Prince of Wales said, "Aston Villa's always had a great history. I have got friends of mine who support Aston Villa, and one of the first FA Cup games I went to was Bolton v Aston Villa back in 2000. Sadly, Villa went on to lose to Chelsea. It was the atmosphere, the camaraderie, and I really felt that there was something I could connect with."
As the Aston Villa team prepares for their next game against A.F.C. Bournemouth on Saturday, they have the support of the future King of England behind them.
