Prince William celebrates as Aston Villa book spot in Europa League final

The royal was also seen speaking to the team’s manager Unai Emery before the game.

Prince William is a longtime Villa supporter, telling the BBC in 2015 he had chosen the team because they were not “run of the mill”.

“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,” he said.

“I wanted to have a team that was more mid-table that could give me more emotional rollercoaster moments.”

The prince, who was made patron of the Football Association two years ago, has described attending a match in 2000 between Bolton and Villa as “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.”

His son Prince George has also attended several Villa matches, including last year’s Champions League quarter-final against Paris Saint-Germain.

“It’s been 43 years since anything like this has happened in my generation as a Villa fan, and I want George to experience a night out away from home in a big European competition,” he told The Independent.

“I hope it’s not 43 years until the next one happens, but I think those memories are really important to create and bringing him along tonight is a big deal for me.”

While Villa ultimately lost the tie that year, this season has marked a major resurgence for the club on the European stage.

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