Prince William dons Aston Villa colours to watch his beloved team snatch a last-gasp win against Zrinjski Mostar in UEFA Europa League match

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The Prince of Wales spent Thursday night in Brum, watching his beloved Aston Villa seal a vital victory in the Europa League. 

William, a passionate Villa fan since boyhood and President of the FA, looked delighted to watch his favourite team beat Bosnia and Herzegovinian team Zrinjski Mostar – and spent time congratulating the players after the match. 

The royal, 41, offered a sartorial nod to his team, donning a navy blue blazer and burgundy jumper, over a light blue shirt – and appeared happy to be chatting with fellow fans in a VIP section of the ground. 

It wasn’t the easiest game to watch though, with the clubs set for a draw until the 95th minute, when John McGinn’s stoppage-time header got Villa’s Europa Conference League campaign off and running.

The Prince of Wales, FA President and a lifelong Aston Villa fan, headed to Villa Park in Birmingham on Thursday evening to watch his team in the Europa Conference League

William spent some of the 90 minutes sitting with injured player Tyrone Mings, and went into the dressing room to congratulate the players after the game.

It is the third time I have met him,’ said the club’s Spanish manager Unai Emery. ‘He is welcome as he is supporting us, feeling emotional with us.’

‘He met the players and me and we were speaking about Aston Villa and his wishes for us to do something this year.’

It’s been a sporty week for the Prince and Princess of Wales. 

Yesterday, Kate, 41, ditched the smart suits as she opted for a tracksuit and headed to meet Disability Rugby League players in East Yorkshire, where she joined a training session with the World Cup winning England wheelchair rugby squad.

Prince William, pictured with injured Tyrone Mings, went into the dressing room to congratulate the players after the game 

Nerve-jangler! Prince William’s team didn’t clinch victory until the 95th minute

The Prince chatted to the club’s VIPs during the UEFA Europa Conference League Group E match

John McGinn of Aston Villa showed up just when his team needed him most and saved Unai Emery’s blushes

And the royal had a bandage on her hand three weeks after injuring herself playing on the trampoline with her children. Speaking before heading on the court, the Princess told a team member: ‘I’m worried about my finger, but willing to try.’

She certainly gave it her all, getting so caught up in the action during a match, that she almost crashed into one of the posts, putting her arms out to brace herself from the impact.

The bandages appear to be a precaution from her injury earlier this month – when she damaged her fingers trampolining with Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis at their home in Windsor.

While the royal has been opting for sophisticated suits lately, she instead wore her navy Rugby League polo shirt and tracksuit bottoms with white trainers.

Welcome any time! The club’s manager Unai Emery said the Prince told him that he hopes the club will ‘do something this year’

Emery said the Prince felt all the emotions of being a Villa fan on a big night for the club 

Kate Middleton was full of enthusiasm as she took part in a wheelchair rugby match today in Hull – and ended up almost crashing into a post

Showing off her sporty side, the royal didn’t let her apparent injuries stop her as she got into the game.

The royal first ran around and passed the ball the rugby team, before having a go at the wheelchair game with the England Wheelchair Rugby League – and quickly celebrated a score.

England’s victorious coach Tom Coyd, 28, said: ‘She took to manoeuvring the chair really quickly.

‘I’m not just saying this because it’s her, but it’s the first time I’ve ever seen anyone score a conversion at their first attempt.

‘I think she’s been having secret practice sessions before coming here because she was a natural.

‘She even finished off a passing move with a try in the corner. She blew me away to be honest.’

His triumphant team defeated defending champions France 28-24 to win the World Cup final in November.

And Kate told him how she, William and the kids, George, Charlotte and Louis, were ‘screaming’ at the TV as they secured victory.

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