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Why does Prince William support Aston Villa?

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Wales Online

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.

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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…

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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.”

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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.

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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.”

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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.

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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.”

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Burnopfield biker banned for six months over careless riding

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Burnopfield biker banned for six months over careless riding

Tristan Gott, 22, Burnopfield, pleaded guilty to the offence when he appeared at Peterlee Magistrates’ Court on Friday, April 10. 

The court was told he was driving a red Yamaha XJ9 on Front Street, Dipton, when he failed to show due care and attention, on November 27, 2025.

Magistrates did not find grounds for “exceptional hardship”, meaning Gott was disqualified from driving for six months under the totting up of penalty points.

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He also received three notional penalty points.

A fine of £156 was imposed, with £85 in costs to the Crown Prosecution Service and a £62 victim surcharge.

A collection order was made.

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Katie Price issues statement after missing Lee Andrews seen logged into Facebook

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Daily Mirror

Several people pointed out that they had seen Dubai-based Lee was logged into the Messenger service yesterday – despite going missing days earlier.

Katie Price has responded to claims that her missing husband Lee Andrews has been online using Facebook. Several people pointed out that they had seen Dubai-based Lee was logged into the Messenger service yesterday, despite having disappeared nearly a week earlier after sending a series of chilling messages to his wife Katie.

Former Apprentice star Luisa Zissman was among those posting about him being online even though Katie is desperately trying to find him and fears that she has been kidnapped. Luisa said: “He was seen as active on Facebook Messenger six hours ago which does indicate that his kidnappers are definitely letting him have access to social media.”

However, Katie tonight insisted that it was her causing his Facebook account to appear as active to people around the world. She shared a screenshot of his page writing: “I have Lee’s Facebook it’s not him on this it’s me.” The profile showed Lee’s 13,000 followers, location as Dubai and bio describing himself as an “Investor CEO” and “Married to the beautiful Katie Price.”

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READ MORE: Lee Andrews LIVE: ‘Proof’ Katie Price’s husband has been on his phone since ‘kidnap’READ MORE: Katie Price fears husband Lee Andrews could be missing ‘for years’

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French Open 2026: Players to cut short pre-tournament media after 15 mins as pay row goes on

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The Coupe des Mousquetaires and Coupe Suzanne Lenglen

The players’ campaign, which began in late 2025, is being spearheaded by former WTA chairman and chief executive Larry Scott.

The American will be in Paris on Friday for a meeting with French Open tournament director Amelie Mauresmo and FFT president Gilles Moretton.

Meetings are also planned with representatives of the All England Club (AELTC) and the US Tennis Association later in the fortnight.

The players’ action is designed to put pressure on the AELTC, with prize money for Wimbledon not due to be announced for another three weeks.

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Last year, the Wimbledon prize fund rose by 7% to £53.5m – double the amount on offer a decade earlier.

Players look enviously, however, at the revenues generated by the Grand Slams and feel entitled to a larger slice of the cake.

The AELTC’s financial statement for the year to July 2025 showed revenue of £427m and profit after tax of £39.7m.

Players have asked the Slams to pay 22% of their revenue in prize money by 2030.

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They are also asking that tens of millions of dollars are paid towards pension, healthcare and maternity benefits, and that they are consulted more widely on scheduling and other key decisions.

At this month’s Italian Open, world number one Aryna Sabalenka said she believes players will “at some point” boycott one of the majors.

World number three Iga Swiatek felt that would be a “bit extreme”, but defending French Open champion Coco Gauff said she would support strike action “if everyone were to move as one and collaborate”.

Men’s world number one Jannik Sinner also claimed players are not getting the respect they deserve when it comes to prize money at the majors.

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An FFT statement on Wednesday read: “We regret the players’ decision, which impacts all of the tournament’s stakeholders: the media, broadcasters, the FFT and the entire tennis community, all of whom follow each edition of Roland Garros with great enthusiasm.

“The French Tennis Federation recognises the importance of the players’ contribution to the tournament’s success, and wishes to maintain close ties with them.”

The French Open takes place from 24 May to 7 June.

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West London shop fined for hiring illegal worker and paying them below minimum wage

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West London shop fined for hiring illegal worker and paying them below minimum wage

Additionally, an inspection of a white van parked outside, which males were seen unloading into the shop, contained 820 illicit cigarettes and two 50g pouches of roll-your-own tobacco hidden in the glove box and a shopping bag. The family says this was not to be sold, rather they were “just holding onto it for someone else, but we took the blame”.

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Sex offender dies in cell at Cambridgeshire prison

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Cambridgeshire Live

A decision to apply and leave restraints on the prisoner overnight while he was in hospital was found to be “not justified”

A sex offender serving a sentence at a Cambridgeshire prison died in his cell. Peter Williams died aged 67 on August 3, 2025 while serving his sentence at HMP Littlehey in Perry, according to a recent report.

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Williams was sentenced to Imprisonment for Public Protection with a minimum of three years for a sexual offence in August 2010. In June 2019, Williams was diagnosed with prostate cancer.

In March 2022, was transferred to HMP Littlehey. Despite undergoing surgery and chemotherapy, Williams’ cancer progressed and in May 2025, it was deemed that chemotherapy was no longer effective.

On May 12, Williams was escorted to hospital by two officers who applied an escort chain. According to the report, Williams complained about the cuffs being too tight. No evidence was found to show that anyone adjusted the handcuffs.

The following day the restraints were removed and Williams later returned to prison on May 17. His health continued to deteriorate and on August 3, Williams died in his cell.

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A family member was contacted by a family liaison officer. A report by the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman stated that Williams died of advanced bladder cancer.

A clinical review identified that a decision to apply and leave restraints on Williams until the following day was “not justified”. The report said managers responsible for authorising restraints should consider the healthcare and base their decision on the actual risk the prisoner poses at the time.

Authorising Managers have also received training to assess the correct level of restraint for all escorts. A Prison Service spokesperson said: “Following the recommendations made by the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman, HMP Littlehey has improved restraint procedures by increasing training and oversight”.

A clinical reviewer found no evidence that Williams was discussed in a Palliative Care Team multi-disciplinary meeting, in line with the Littlehey Palliative Care Protocol. Due to this, it was recommended that the Head of Healthcare ensures patients with “complex health needs” are discussed in a meeting.

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The Ministry of Justice said it is continuing to work closely with healthcare providers to ensure all relevant information is shared and properly recorded. The clinical reviewer concluded that the care Williams received at the prison was of a “reasonable standard” and “equivalent to that which he could have expected to receive in the community”.

An inquest into his death was held on March 23, 2026. The coroner concluded that Williams died from natural causes.

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‘It is your worst nightmare’ Parent of child victim speaks out after online predator jailed

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Belfast Live

A parent of one of the victims of a man jailed over sex offences broke their silence with a harrowing statement on the impact the offender’s actions had on their child

The parent of a young boy targeted by a sick online sexual predator has told how the child has been “stripped entirely of his innocence whilst the perpetrator preyed on him and tortured him – both mentally and psychologically”.

The harrowing testimony emerged after Cameron Mullen, 22, was sentenced to two years and four months for seven counts of online child sexual offences. He will also subjected to a Sexual Offences Prevention Order for ten years.

Following the sentencing at Dungannon Crown Court, the parent said: “It’s every parent’s worst nightmare to experience what I did.

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“It hurt me immensely to see my child stripped entirely of his innocence whilst the perpetrator preyed on him and tortured him, both mentally and psychologically.

READ MORE: Police launch malicious communications probe after Co Antrim schools and businesses targetedREAD MORE: Man who ‘hadn’t got round to completing driving test’ three years after move to NI has car seized

“He was continually coerced to show indecent images and be shown explicit content. Please be vigilant if your child has a smartphone as we often believe they are safe. The internet is not a safe place and it can have detrimental consequences if your own child is subjected to what my child seen and was asked to do online. “It could prove to have fatal consequences given the nature of these conversations and images that they are subjected to while communicating with others. Safeguarding our children is paramount from these predators attacking another innocent child and possibly leaving devastating consequences.”

The charges Mullen, from Kilrea in Co Derry, faced included sexual communication with a child, adult causing or inciting child between 13 and 16 to engage in sexual activity, incitement to distribute indecent photographs or pseudo-photographs of a child and adult causing a child to watch a sexual act.

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Detective Chief Inspector David McBurney said: “This case demonstrates how offenders can use online platforms to gain a child’s trust before quickly steering conversations to a sexual nature to satisfy their own sexual perversions.

“It is sickening that we are seeing younger and younger offenders in this space. Mullen deliberately built a rapport with these young boys before rapidly turning the conversation and this is a common tactic that we are seeing by those who seek to exploit young people in our communities. “This behaviour is manipulative and predatory, and it will not be tolerated. Protecting children and young people from sexual exploitation remains a top priority for us and we will continue to robustly pursue those who seek to harm children online. “We continue to urge parents and guardians to remain vigilant about their children’s online activity and to encourage open conversations about staying safe online. Anyone who believes a child may be at risk should report their concerns to police so we can take action as we did in this case. “Let this serve as another warning to those perpetrating child sexual abuse in our communities, we are working every day to break down reporting barriers and encourage victims to come forward. You will be caught, your lies uncovered and you will face the full force of the law.”

PSNI revealed that in early January 2025, officers received a report from a parent in the Mid Ulster region about an individual who they believed was making sexual communications with their child via the internet.

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Police quickly made enquiries which led to a suspect being identified and Mullen was just arrested days later on suspicion of carrying out a number of offences.

He was interviewed then charged to court after an investigation discovered mobile phone triage identified that he had contacted a number of young teenage boys via Instagram.

A file was submitted to the Public Prosecution Service and prosecution directed in respect of three victims, who were under the age of 16 at the time of the offending.

For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.

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Maximum Working Temperature UK 2026: Is There A Legal Limit On How Hot Your Workplace Can Get?

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Maximum Working Temperature UK 2026: Is There A Legal Limit On How Hot Your Workplace Can Get?

Ahead of a 31°C May heatwave and a predicted Super El Niño, the Climate Change Committee (CCC) have called for maximum temperature working rules in the UK.

In their report, titled A Well-Adapted UK, they called on the government to invest in things like “air conditioning, heat pumps and green shading” in public areas as well as “cooling” tools in the workplace.

They called rising heating, flooding, and drought a “threat” to the “British way of life”.

There is no maximum working temperature in the UK as of the time of writing, though the government points to a minimum temperature guidance of 16ºC, or 13ºC for those doing physical jobs.

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Heatwaves are becoming more likely in the UK

The CCC report said that by 2025, 92% of homes are likely to overheat. They’ve proposed ideal indoor temperatures for places like care homes, prisons and homes of 16°C to 25°C.

They didn’t mention an ideal working temperature explicitly; however, they did point to Spain, where maximum working temperatures are 27°C for sedentary work and 25°C for light physical work.

Heatwaves of 40°C are expected to become more common in the coming decades, they added.

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These can be seriously harmful to people’s health. The sweltering 40°C day of 2022 took place in a four-day heatwave that caused 1,000 heat-related deaths.

Speaking to HuffPost UK previously, Johan Jaques, chief meteorologist at environmental solutions company KISTERS, agreed.

He said that heatwaves were likely to become worse in the UK thanks to things like climate change and stifling building design.

“We are not powerless”

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Baroness Brown, chair of the Adaptation Committee, said that “Our lives, our landscapes and our homes are under increasing pressure from the changing climate. But we are not powerless. In an increasingly unstable world, being well adapted to climate change is fundamental to securing our food, energy and economic security.

“This report carries a message of hope. The solutions already exist, and proven technologies are available now to help the UK adapt effectively. With the right decisions and actions, we can protect the people and the places we love.”

She added that we can protect the places, people, and institutions most dear to us with government changes.

Per the BBC, the government has said it would review and address the concerns in this report, and added it was already taking steps to address flooding.

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Great Ayton RAF pilot buried 86 years after being gunned down in WW2

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Great Ayton RAF pilot buried 86 years after being gunned down in WW2

Squadron Leader George Morley Fidler was just 27 when his Hawker Hurricane was brought down over France on May, 19, 1940.

Members of the public gathered in France on Tuesday (May 19) to witness the burial with full military honours of the World War Two Hurricane Pilot.

Fidler joined the RAF in 1934 and spent several years in Egypt, with brief spells in Cyprus and India.

He was described as an ‘exceptional’ pilot by his superiors and in February 1940, he joined 607 Squadron.

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The bearer party, comprised of serving personnel from RAF Halton, carry Squadron Leader Fidler’s coffin (Image: RAF/MOD)

On the afternoon of May, 19, 1940, his plane was shot down above Cambrai.

It was initially believed the pilot’s remains had been recovered and buried in the French village of Bachy. 

However, in 2005 metal detectorists discovered wreckage 35km away in Oisy-le-Verger. 

One piece had a serial number ‘P3535’, suggesting it came from his Hurricane.

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The Ministry of Defence (MOD) investigated the grave to see if it was that of the 27-year-old.

Squadron leader George Morley Fidler, provided by the Great Ayton History Society (Image: UNKNOWN)

Then in 2022, work on the Seine-Nord Canal at Oisy-le-Verger, in northern France, unearthed a Hurricane with the pilot still inside near to where Fidler’s aircraft was last seen.

Squadron Leader Fidler was laid to rest yesterday, with the service organised by the MOD’s ‘War Detectives’ who work to identify the recovered remains of British military casualties.

War detective Nicola Nash said: “Squadron Leader Fidler has been buried today 86 years after he was killed. 

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“His story has been known to us since his grave was ‘unnamed’ many years ago. It has been wonderful to finally find him and be able to put him to rest. 

“Today we honour him and the sacrifices he made all those years ago.”

The pilot’s service took place at Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) London Cemetery and Extension, France.

Dr James Wallis, head of commemorations at the CWGC, said: “It is an honour for the Commission to pay our respects to Squadron Leader Fidler, following the 2022 discovery of his Hurricane along the route of the future Canal Seine-Nord Europe.

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Members of RAF Halton, 607 Squadron and a Trumpeter of the Band of the Royal Air Force College stand behind Squadron Leader Fidler’s headstone (Image: RAF/MOD)

“That another commemorative service will be held today at his local church – in Great Ayton, Yorkshire – shows the power and impact of his war experience eight decades on.

“Now resting amongst fellow airmen at London Cemetery and Extension, Longueval, his grave will be cared for in perpetuity.”

The Great Ayton History Society previously said: “Following the recent discovery in Oisy-le-Verger, France, where engineers uncovered the remains of Squadron Leader George Morley Fidler – found seated in the cockpit of his Hawker Hurricane almost 86 years after being shot down – the story of this young man from Great Ayton has taken on renewed significance.

“George, just 27-years-old, was the son of George and Christiana Fidler and served as a pilot with 607 Squadron. 

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“His aircraft, Hurricane P3535, was brought down by a Messerschmitt Bf 109 over France on 19 May 1940, where it buried itself in the ground with George still inside.

“In light of this remarkable discovery, the Great Ayton History Society will be updating George’s story as part of its annual Remembrance Day memorial plaques at Christ Church.”

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Iran war live: Revolutionary Guard threatens US with ‘war beyond the region’

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Daily Mirror

The Foreign Secretary has warned that Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz could result in tens of millions going hungry as she told an aid summit of the risk of “sleepwalking into a global food crisis”.

Yvette Cooper told an aid conference in London that the global south was paying the biggest price as the global trade of fertiliser and heating oil are largely blocked.

Markets are already pricing in weaker harvests and the World Food Programme has estimated that 45 million people could fall into acute food insecurity if the conflict does not end by the middle of the year.

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The Foreign Secretary said: “We meet against the backdrop of the Hormuz crisis, a strait of water through which 90 ships a day used to pass, but for the last three months it’s been more like five.

“Heating oil for Asia – stuck in the Strait, fertilisers for Africa – stuck in the strait, 20,000 seafarers, 800 ships – just stuck in the strait.

“The global economy is being held hostage, and the global south is paying the biggest price.”

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Is Europa League final being shown for free on YouTube tonight?

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Aston Villa and German club Freiburg are in the Europa League final in Istanbul tonight

Aston Villa and Freiburg meet in the Europa League final tonight in the first of three European finals.

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The two teams will face off in Istanbul, before the Europa Conference League final and Champions League final take place later this month.

Villa head into the clash as favourites and will be cheered on by the supporters of Liverpool, Bournemouth and Brentford, who will be willing the Villans to win in order to open up another Champions League spot for an English club.

In previous years, the European finals had been streamed by rights holders TNT Sports for free on their YouTube channel; last year, the Europa League final between Manchester United and Tottenham was made available for free by TNT Sports via discovery+.

But unfortunately that’s not the case this time around.

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TNT Sports and HBO Max have opted to make a change to their coverage of all European finals and not show any of them free of charge.

Only signed-up viewers will be able to watch tonight.

The cheapest package currently costs £4.99.

Watch the UEFA Europa League final live on HBO Max

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Aston Villa have reached the UEFA Europa League final where they face SC Freiburg on May 20. Fans can watch the game without a TNT Sports subscription by signing up to the HBO Max Basic With Ads plan via Prime Video’s HBO Max channel.

TNT Sports subscriptions can cost significantly more depending on the platform.

The move is said to have caused frustration within UEFA, with The Guardian reporting that European football’s governing body believes the decision goes against the spirit of an agreement stating “best endeavours” should be made to ensure finals remain accessible free of charge.

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Live commentary of all three finals will be on BBC Radio 5 Live.

What time is kick-off? TV channel

Tonight’s match will be shown live on TNT Sports 1, with coverage starting from 6pm ahead of an 8pm kick-off at Besiktas Park.

Live stream info

TNT Sports customers can catch the game live online via the HBO Max app and website.

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