Prince William is set to be at the Europa League final this evening to cheer on Aston Villa – but why does he support them?

HRH Prince William looked every bit the typical Aston Villa supporter as he cheered his side on during the 4-0 victory over Nottingham Forest in the Europa League semi-final second leg at Villa Park.

And he is set to do it all again at the final in Istanbul against Freiburg this evening.

He may hold a royal title, but he’s no casual claret and blue enthusiast, reports Birmingham Live.

He is a devoted follower who is eagerly anticipating watching his side hopefully claim their first European silverware since 1982.

But what exactly led him to support Villa and how did he develop into such a passionate fan? We have all the details here…

Why does Prince William support Aston Villa?

Prior to Villa’s FA Cup loss to Arsenal in May 2015 under Tim Sherwood, he discussed his Villa loyalty with BBC presenter Gary Lineker.

Prince William said: “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. 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 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. It was the atmosphere, the camaraderie and I really felt that there was something I could connect with.”

Speaking in February 2020, William said: “People like Paul Merson were playing and I thought if people like him can play as well as he does, knowing the struggles he was under at the time…this is a club I can support.

“I was also born in ’82, the year we won the (European) Cup, so I feel the history and pedigree around Villa has always been quite close to me.”

Has he attended matches?

He was photographed in an executive box at Villa Park during the 0-0 Premier League draw against Sunderland in November 2013, sporting a Villa coat and scarf.

He also took his place at the 2015 FA Cup final defeat to Arsenal, seated as a dignitary in the Royal Box alongside then Villa owner Randy Lerner. Villa were beaten 4-0, with Prince William presenting the trophy to Arsenal and handing out runners-up medals to Tim Sherwood’s players.

He made a further visit to Villa Park for the 1-0 Championship win over Cardiff City in April 2018, and was pictured celebrating in an executive box alongside former Villa favourite John Carew as Jack Grealish netted a late winner.

The prince paused after the match to chat and pose for photographs with players and staff. He attended the play-off final defeat to Fulham at Wembley in May 2018, a week after his brother Harry’s wedding, and was present at Carrow Road in the 2019/20 season to witness Villa thrash Norwich 5-1.

Prince William was also spotted at a fixture against Nottingham Forest in April last year and attended the Europa Conference League semi-final against Olympiacos in May.

Have there been any other examples of his Villa support?

Upon Villa’s return to European football’s premier competition, he wrote on X, formerly Twitter: “We are Champions League! A historic season and an amazing achievement. “Thanks to Unai, the whole squad and everyone at Aston Villa. Can’t wait for next season. #UTV.”

He appeared to be sporting a claret tie at the wedding of his wife’s sister Pippa Middleton in May 2017. In October 2017, the Duke and Duchess visited the London Stadium, home of West Ham United. The Hammers presented their young children with replica kits; however, William made his allegiances abundantly clear.

He quipped: “Right colours, wrong team.”

A month later, as a guest at the Pride of Britain awards, he donned a Villa scarf in a gesture of solidarity with Villa supporter Moin Younis, who was honoured with an award recognising his courage in living with a severe skin condition. During the same month, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge paid a visit to Villa Park and held talks with manager Steve Bruce, with the Duke commending the manager on his side’s performances. He has never been one to hide his claret and blue loyalties, and was proudly flying the flag for Villa in September 2018 while on a training exercise in Kenya with his regiment, the Irish Guards.

William met with local forces as well as the football team from the small town of Kinamba as part of a community initiative. He presented every player with that season’s Villa shirt, handing out a combination of home and away kits, and posed for a photograph.

How have Villa marked his support?

Following the birth of all three of William and Kate’s children, Villa posted a congratulatory message on Twitter featuring a picture of a Villa shirt bearing the name ‘HRH’. Former manager Bruce was struck by the depth of knowledge HRH displayed about his Villa squad when the pair met in November 2017.

Bruce said: “He introduced Kate to me as the ‘top man’. He talked about the squad and how we have turned it around a little bit.

“He’s delighted we are moving it forward. Being a dad myself, you would like him as a son. He was impeccable. It’s not often you have the future King as a supporter so it’s great for the club.”

Marvin Ducksch, a striker for Birmingham City, has been fined more than £16,000 after causing a serious three-car crash in Warwickshire while over the drink-drive limit

A Birmingham City player has been sentenced for causing a three-car crash in Warwickshire while drink driving.

Marvin Ducksch has been fined more than £16,000 and faces a bill of more than £20,000 after causing the accident which took place as he changed music.

The Germany international striker was told he was lucky he had not killed himself and two female drivers in the late-night crash as he was ordered to pay the victims £1,000 each in compensation.

Leamington Spa Magistrates’ Court heard Ducksch stopped at the scene and checked on the other motorists, one of whom had a nosebleed and injuries to her forehead and thumb.

The 32-year-old pleaded guilty on Wednesday to driving his Mercedes with excess alcohol, namely 53mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath, above the legal limit of 35mcg.

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Magistrates were told the charge related to a collision on the A3400 near Henley-in-Arden in Warwickshire at around 10.30pm on Easter Monday.

The crash happened hours after Ducksch had appeared as a substitute in Birmingham’s 2-1 defeat to Ipswich Town at Portman Road.

Magistrates handed Ducksch a 14-month driving ban alongside a fine of £16,155, a total of £2,000 in compensation, a £2,000 surcharge and a bill for costs of £85. The court agreed to allow Ducksch to pay off the total amount of £20,240 at a rate of £2,000 per month.

Prosecutor Lina Akther told the court: “The defendant identified himself to the officers and confirmed he was involved in the collision. The defendant stated to the officers that he was driving and he went to change his music and crashed and he wasn’t sure how.”

As a result of the crash Ducksch, who also claimed to have been avoiding a tree branch in the road, was arrested and breath-tested. In a prepared statement to police, the court heard, Ducksch said he was driving home and admitted “he did have alcohol before he drove” and had “clipped an oncoming car and another one following behind”.

Ms Akther said: “He thought he would be under the limit and the defendant was apologetic in his prepared statement.”

Imposing the fines, chairman of the bench John Kiely told the footballer, who lives in Solihull: “Thank you very much for your patience while we have been talking about this offence. We heard that there was an incident in which two vehicles were clipped.

“We have looked at the photographs (of the damaged cars). You can consider yourself lucky first of all that you weren’t killed and secondly that the other drivers weren’t killed. That’s how serious this matter is.”

During mitigation, defence solicitor Julia Morgan said Ducksch, whose former clubs include Werder Bremen and Borussia Dortmund, had a promising career ahead of him.

Ms Morgan told the three magistrates during the 20-minute hearing: “It’s abundantly clear that damage was caused to those vehicles and the lady concerned was injured during the course of this.” Ducksch was comprehensively insured and the damage would be covered by the policy, she said.

Ms Morgan added: “Mr Ducksch waited at the scene for the police. They didn’t arrive immediately but he waited and he checked on the welfare of the occupants of the other vehicles. He is currently a young man who plays as a professional footballer for Birmingham City Football Club.

“Not only is he going to be subject to the sentence that you impose today – from a financial point of view he has also been penalised by Birmingham City for his actions that night.

“He has been penalised financially and further by not being permitted to play in a number of matches following this incident. That illustrates how seriously incidents of this nature are taken.”

The lawyer continued: “They (the club) have provided references. I hope you have had the opportunity to see them and read them. In essence they talk about a man of impeccable character in his conduct towards his team, his managers and the club itself. I myself have found him to be a most polite young man. It’s very unfortunate he has found himself in this position, now having a conviction from the courts.”

How we chose the best barbecues and pizza ovens

Best barbecues and grills

Want the satisfaction of grilling your own sausages, but don’t have a garden? Same, which is why I’m enamoured by this portable barbecue. Forget those shiny aluminium disposable BBQs you can get at the shops, this one can not only be used endlessly, but it’s also super lightweight. That doesn’t mean it sacrifices performance, though, because the heavyweight lid leaves enough room to cook larger items like a steak, while the valve allows you to get your heat to just the right level, so you can perfect your sear.

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If the fact that the people’s princess, Gordon Ramsay, uses these grills isn’t enough to convince you to try one out, maybe this will. Inpsired by Japanese cooking, Kasai grills use charcoal instead of gas. The searing heat makes for a quicker cook and an end result that is more smoky and flavoursome than other grills could ever hope to achieve. This nano size is ideal for smaller patios or cooking a mere skewer or two, but it also comes in little, medium, medium long, and long sizes.

Should you be cooking up a storm this weekend, you’ll have room to cook for all the family on this charcoal grill. With space for up to 12 burgers, you won’t have to worry about frantically running around to cater for all your guests, and there’s even surface space on the side for rolls, sauces, and sides. It might be mighty sturdy, but unlike other back-breaking barbecues, this one comes on wheels so you can easily relocate it to get it out of your hair during the colder months.

Summer is all about day drinking like a fish, so why not smoke some fish to for some sustenance, too? Shaped like an egg, Gregg is fuelled by coal, but is ideal for smoking your choice of meat, fish, and veggies with the addition of wood chips. As well as fitting up to 10 burgers, it has a three-layer grid that allows you to grill, warm, and roast all at once. Because he’s generous, Gregg also comes with an 12 inch pizza stone, for the indecisive among us who can’t choose between a BBQ and a pizza oven.

As a barbecue beginner, I always worry that I won’t be able to make it past the set up stage, let alone figure out how to navigate the gas of it all. Luckily, this barbecue is completely beginner-friendly, according to its 250+ five-star reviews. As well as being easy to set up and move around once you have, this barbecue is ideal if you’re the kind of people who are circumstantial grillers, as it’s pretty small and unobtrusive. It’s great value for money, and even has a side burner for some added space.

Now this is how you get a party started! With a whopping six burners, this barbecue can cook up to 27 burgers at once. Its handy side burner means you can get a sauce going while your food bronzes, while the side tables house an ice bucket to keep your drink cold (which we have a suspicion you’ll be grateful for). Plus, that huge base is in fact a huge cavern for your cooking tools, gas, and whatever else you might need.

If you’re garden is on the smaller side, you won’t want to have a f*ck off huge barbecue lingering about year-round. Vonhaus has created a BBQ that won’t take up too much space. The heat can be adjusted by simply raising the charcoal tray closer to the grill, and the handle comes with its very own built-in bottle opener (cool as hell). With enough room to feed a family of three or four, this will be your go-to for warmer seasons.

As the masters of the air fryer, Shark knows what it’s doing when it comes to cooking appliances. This gas barbecue is no exception, as it forces you to ask more of your barbecue by not only grilling, but smoking, roasting, griddling, and making pizzas, too. So you don’t overdo your meat (nightmare situation) it has an in-built precision burner, which allows you to see how hot it’s getting in there. And, meatheads rejoice: Shark Ninja has partnered with HGWalter so you can get 30% off a meat box to get started.

Best pizza ovens

Fancy yourself a serious pizza chef? Well, then you deserve the equipment to match that energy. According to our parenting editor, it takes up to four people to get it out of the box, thanks to weighing a mighty 73kg. Once you’ve got it on the stand, though, you’re good to go. Setup is a breeze and you’ve got enough space to stick two 14″ pizzas in, which means you can actually sit and eat together, rather than having someone do all the legwork while the rest of you eat, unlike smaller pizza ovens. Families who want to spend lots of time outdoors this summer, this one’s for you, as it heats up (and cools down) fast, and is brilliant to cook with even when the winter months hit thanks to accommodating everything from steak, to chicken wings, and more.

Sometimes you want to make a day of cooking pizza. I mean, if you’re making your own dough, why not? But others, you simply want to crack on with it and have a sizzling pie in front of you within the half hour. If you tend to flip flop between the two, this oven from Delvita gives you the option to do both, thanks to being fuelled by either gas or wood, depending on the day. Should you choose the former, it takes a speedy 15 minutes to heat up, and it’s easy enough to switch over to wood once it’s warm to achieve that charred and chewy crust. Plus, if you buy it between 23rd and 25th May, you’ll get £187 worth of free products, including a Leather Apron, Leather Pizza Glove, and Black Cast Iron Dish – and who doesn’t love free stuff?

Pizza on the go? Do I even need to grace that with a response? This lightweight Delvita oven has foldable legs, and is deceptively lightweight, which makes it ideal for packing up and taking on camping holidays with you. To make sure you, and it, stay safe wherever you go, it comes with a travel case, foldable peel, regulator, pipe, and temperature gun. Plus, when you buy it between 23rd and 25th May, you’ll get your first two gas canisters completely free.

Don’t want to rely on the British weather to hold up? Fair enough, we wouldn’t want a rain-sodden pizza, either. Powered by electricity, this oven from Ooni allows you to make pizza in the comfort of your own home – or rather, in the safety of your four walls. It takes just 12 minutes to make a pizza, and comes with your choice of a medium or large padel so that your path to chewy, doughy goodness couldn’t be either.

If I’m being really honest, using gas scares me, but I want to be able to cook outside. Hence why I’m obsessed with this electric Shark Ninja outdoor oven, which takes just three minutes to crisp up your pizza once heated up. You can also use it as an air fryer, to bake (because trying to bake inside on a boiling hot day is not it), or as a proving container. So you’re fully set and ready to go, the oven comes with an oven cover, pizza wheel cutter, pizza Stone, baking tray, pizza peel, and air fry basket – woah.

The RSPCA is appealing for information after the young female cat had to be put to sleep after being seriously injured when she was shot in North Yorkshire.

The grey and white tabby is believed to have been targeted with a .22 rifle.

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She was rushed to a vet after returning to her home in Whitewall, Norton, on Tuesday, May 5 after going missing the previous weekend.

Her owners thought she had been involved in a road traffic accident because she was unable to use her back legs.

An examination showed the young cat had suffered an entry wound to her abdomen and a shattered femur.

Due to the fragments retrieved, it is believed she had been shot with a live round from a .22 rifle.

Despite emergency treatment her condition deteriorated and she was sadly put to sleep the following day on veterinary advice.

The RSPCA is appealing to anyone with information to come forward and is asking pet owners living in Welham Road, Whitewall Corner Hill and the surrounding area to be vigilant and to report any suspicious activity to the police.

RSPCA Animal Rescue Officer, James Dack, said: “Our hearts go out to the owners of this young cat who have lost their much-loved cat in the most dreadful circumstances.

“If she hadn’t managed to get home she may never have been found and she would have suffered, alone, even more. We’d urge anyone with first-hand knowledge about this incident to get in touch.”

The RSPCA has received nearly 500 reports about weapon attacks on animals over the past three years including incidents involving guns, catapults and crossbows.

As more police forces are seeing worrying levels of weapons-related incidents, the charity has helped to develop initiatives like Operation Lakeshot, a police-led partnership which aims to tackle catapult-related wildlife crime.

Anyone with information about the shooting in can contact the RSPCA’s inspectorate appeal line on 0300 123 8018 quoting reference number 01795343.

Pep Guardiola’s glorious spell at Manchester City looks to be coming to an end in familiar fashion

Pep Guardiola’s gave brutally honest reasons for leaving his previous clubs amid his impending departure from Manchester City.

Following a trophy-laden 10 years in charge, Sunday’s final-day encounter against Aston Villa is set to be his last at the helm. Guardiola’s tenure at City exceeds his combined periods with Barcelona and Bayern Munich. He spent four years managing Barca before taking a year’s sabbatical.

Upon returning to management, he oversaw Bayern from 2013 to 2016. While departing Barca, the club with which he is inextricably linked, proved difficult, Guardiola provided a straightforward justification, saying: “I felt as if I could no longer lift the team.”

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In the interview with Audi in 2014, he added: “We were incredibly successful. Winning 14 trophies in only four years was the greatest period in the club’s history. But gradually, I found it more and more difficult to motivate myself and to motivate the team. That is when you know it is time to walk away.”

He also departed Bayern amicably, candidly acknowledging that he didn’t extend his contract with the German powerhouse because he wished to challenge himself in English football.

After announcing his decision to leave Bavaria, he said: “I want to experience a new city and I want to work in England. That is the reason I have taken this decision.

“If I were 60, 65 years old, I’d stick with Bayern, but I think I’m too young. I need a new challenge. My career is a long way from over and when I have a new club it will be the club that makes the announcement.”

Earlier that season, Guardiola had apologised to Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, who revealed: “At the Christmas party, he came to me, he told me that he was looking for a new challenge and almost apologised. It was clearly difficult for him, I’m not disappointed in him.”

Guardiola, who has previously indicated an interest in international management, may once again find himself needing a fresh challenge after a decade at City.

Speaking following the 1-1 draw at Bournemouth, which handed Arsenal the title, Guardiola declined to comment on his future. He said: “With the club, I always talk but not now.

“Three, four seasons ago, when there was one year left, the first thing you have to understand, I should talk with my chairman first.

“And when I talk with my chairman, we (may) decide to have one more year, we will talk (about) everything and we will decide. We (will) talk in the next days.”

Sky Sports, HBO Max, Netflix and Disney+ with Ultimate TV package

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Sky has upgraded its Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle to now include HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, discovery+ and Hayu, as well as 135 channels and full Sky coverage of the Premier League and EFL.

Sky broadcasts more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more with at least 215 live from the top flight alongside Formula 1, darts and golf.

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The new Lego Batman game launches very soon, so here’s how and where to get the best pre-order deals and even start playing right this second.

Traveller’s Tales used to be able to pump out new Lego video games every year, but even they’ve been affected by the need for lengthier development times on big budget games.

While it has been four years since Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga, Traveller’s Tales latest release, Lego Batman: Legacy Of The Dark Knight, has thankfully been worth the wait.

Aside from being a very solid Lego game, it’s also the next best thing to a new Batman: Arkham game. So, if you’ve yet to secure a copy, here’s a breakdown on the best places to buy it ahead of launch.

When does Lego Batman: Legacy Of The Dark Knight launch?

Lego Batman: Legacy Of The Dark Knight is scheduled to launch on Friday, May 22 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.

There are plans for a Nintendo Switch 2 version of the game as well, but while pre-orders for it are available at retailers, it currently lacks a release window.

Is there early access for Lego Batman: Legacy Of The Dark Knight?

Yes, it is possible to play Lego Batman: Legacy Of The Dark Knight right now through an early access period. However, this is only available to you if you pre-order the more expensive deluxe edition.

What is included in the deluxe edition of Lego Batman: Legacy Of The Dark Knight?

Aside from the base game and early access, the deluxe edition of Lego Batman: Legacy Of The Dark Knight comes with something called the Legacy Collection, which is three DLC packs rolled in one.

The Arkham Trilogy pack, the Party Music pack, and the Batman Beyond pack each contain seven extra suits (one for each of the game’s playable characters), plus a new Batmobile and five Batcave props.

You’ll also receive the Mayhem Collection, which doesn’t become available until September, but includes a new story mission that lets you play as the Joker and Harley Quinn. Plus, a Sinister pack that throws in another seven suits, one Batmobile, and five Batcave props.

What are the best pre-order deals for Lego Batman: Legacy Of The Dark Knight?

The standard edition of Lego Batman: Legacy Of The Dark Knight retails for £59.99 digitally on both consoles and PC, but you can buy a physical copy for less than that.

Amazon and Very are the best places to buy from since they’re selling physical copies for £45.99. Alternatively, Hit is selling the game for a smidge less at £45.85.

As for the deluxe edition, it’s being sold for £79.99 digitally, but you can buy it from Amazon, Very, Argos, or Smyths at a reduced price of £61.99 or from Hit for £61.85.

Pre-ordering either the standard or deluxe edition also nets you an additional suit for Batman based on his appearance in the 1980s comic book The Dark Knight Returns.

Which movies is Lego Batman: Legacy Of The Dark Knight based on?

Unlike Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga, which simply adapted all nine of the mainline Star Wars movies, Lego Batman: Legacy Of The Dark Knight is an amalgamation of various Batman media.

While it does adapt elements from the live action movies, such as the original 1989 Tim Burton movie and the more recent The Batman from 2022, it also draws from the original comics, the 90s cartoon, and other Batman video games to craft its own story.

Does Lego Batman: Legacy Of The Dark Knight have multiplayer?

Yes, the entirety of Lego Batman: Legacy Of The Dark Knight can be played in co-op with two players. However, there is no support for online co-op so only local co-op is available.

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Undated handout photo issued by the Metropolitan Police of 44-year-old Michelle Sadio. Mother-of-two Michelle was gunned down outside a wake at the River of Life Pentecostal Church in Willesden, north London, on December 14 2024. Following an Old Bailey trial, Perry Allen-Thomas, 27, and Amir Salem, 20, were found guilty of murder and two counts of attempted murder. Issue date: Wednesday May 20, 2026.

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Wales is set to bask in glorious temperatures during the bank holiday weekend

The threshold needed to officially declare a heatwave could be met with one part of Wales forecast to see highs of 30C over the bank holiday weekend. It could result in some of the highest temperatures recorded in the UK in May in over a decade.

A heatwave is officially defined as three consecutive days at or above a set temperature. The deputy chief forecaster at the Met Office, Greg Wolverson, said it’s likely this will be reached in parts of the UK from Sunday.

The Met Office forecasts “an exceptional spell of warmth for May”, and has said the heatwave criteria could be met for some. For the biggest stories in Wales first sign up to our daily newsletter here.

It says that despite a colder few weeks, this week will get progressively hotter as it goes on, with a warmer Thursday and Friday before a scorching weekend. Saturday is forecast to see highs of 23C in Cardiff, rising to 26C and 27C on Sunday and Monday.

It looks set to remain just as hot into the start of next week with Tuesday and Wednesday remaining above 25C.

The warmer weather will be a relief to many with May having proved to be cooler than normal so far. According to the Met Office, any temperature above 29.4C will be the highest May temperature recorded in the UK since 2012. The all-time May record currently stands at 32.8C.

In Wales, the record for May is 30.6C which was recorded in 1944 but according to the latest forecast Monmouth could come very close to that on Monday.

BBC weatherman Derek Brockway wrote on X: “The definition of a heatwave is based on a threshold which varies across the UK. In Wales, the threshold is at least 3 days in a row with maximum temperatures reaching 25C or more. 26C in SE Wales.

“The heatwave threshold may be met in places next week! 30C possible in Monmouth!”

The Met Office outlook for Wales for Thursday to Saturday states it will be “very warm with sunny periods” but warns there could be some thundery showers at times.

Although Saturday and Sunday will be hot, Monday looks set to be the warmest day of the weekend with highs of 27C forecast in Cardiff and 30C expected in Monmouth.

Newtown, Wrexham, and Swansea are also set to see temperatures above 25C before it cools slightly at the end of next week.

Greg Wolverson added: “A very warm period of weather will develop through the weekend and into next week for much of the UK.

“High pressure will be in charge of the UK’s weather over the bank holiday weekend and this should bring fine and settled conditions to most areas. The exception will be parts of northwestern Scotland where it will be cooler and cloudier with some rain at times. There is also a small risk of some thunder in the south late on Friday into Saturday.”

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