(foto: Screenshot)
Prince William and son George watched Aston Villa’s emotional 3-2 win over PSG at Villa Park, but the aggregate loss left the royals heartbroken despite a valiant comeback.
Prince William and his son George experienced a roller coaster of emotions at Villa Park as Aston Villa came agonisingly close to completing a historic comeback against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League.
Despite Villa’s thrilling 3-2 win on the night, the aggregate score of 5-4 meant PSG advanced to the semi-finals. The Prince of Wales and his 11-year-old son were seen reacting passionately throughout the night — from despair after PSG’s early goals to joy during Villa’s stunning rally.
Villa, who were trailing 3-1 after the first leg in Paris, found themselves in deeper trouble when Achraf Hakimi and Ousmane Dembele put the French side ahead within 27 minutes. Cameras captured William with his head in his hands after the opening goal, while George looked nervously on wearing a half-and-half scarf.
But Youri Tielemans gave Villa a lifeline before the break, and second-half goals from John McGinn and Ezri Konsa turned Villa Park into a cauldron of hope. William and George erupted in celebration, joined in the VIP box by the Duke and Duchess of Westminster, who were also supporting the Villans.
With the score at 3-2 on the night, Villa needed just one more goal to take the tie to extra time, but the fourth never came. PSG clung on, and the final whistle left fans — and the royals — devastated. Despite the loss, Villa’s spirited comeback was hailed as one of the most memorable European nights in their history.
Villa’s run had included triumphs over Bayern Munich and Monaco, with William present for both. The Prince, a lifelong Villa supporter, previously shared that he fell in love with the club after attending a match as a child. He’s even admitted to visiting fan forums anonymously and shifting his children’s positions during home viewings for “luck”.
Villa fans left the stadium proud despite the exit, knowing their side pushed a European giant to the edge — and few will forget the night Prince William and George roared alongside them.
Written by Barbara Cerar, Editor-in-Chief at en.nogomania.com. Follow us for more stories from international football.