​​​​​​​Prince William joins fans at Birmingham pub before Villa's game, buys everyone a round

Prince William joins Aston Villa supporters at a Birmingham Wetherspoon pub ahead of the team's match against Everton.

Prince William spent time with Aston Villa supporters at a Birmingham Wetherspoon pub ahead of the team's away match against Everton. The visit, arranged at the prince’s request, saw him share a pint of Bulmers cider with eight season ticket holders at the London and North Western pub inside Birmingham New Street station.

The 30-minute gathering allowed fans to discuss their club’s upcoming fixture. One supporter described the prince as a "genuine bloke" and noted that he believed the match would be tough. The fans, who were headed to Everton's home ground on Wednesday, appreciated the prince’s down-to-earth nature.

The prince, a lifelong Villa supporter, reflected on his early connection to the club, recounting how a family friend introduced him to his first Villa game, a match against Bolton.

“He was just a really nice, genuine bloke who really loves Villa,” said John McEvoy, 64, a fan from Solihull.

The group also discussed the match’s prospects, with the prince noting that Everton’s manager change could provide them with an advantage. The match ended in a 1-0 victory for Villa, boosting the team to seventh in the Premier League.

 

 

 

 

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Before visiting Villa fans, Prince William attended the College of Paramedics' inaugural emergency and critical care conference, where he was named a patron.

His passion for Aston Villa has been well-documented, with the prince once revealing his preference for supporting a club outside the top ranks, for a more "emotional rollercoaster" experience. This season, he notably lost his voice at the team's first Champions League home match in 41 years, a 1-0 victory over Bayern Munich.