Prince William shared a personal good luck message as Aston Villa’s Champions League adventure started this evening, as the West Midlands team kicked off their campaign away to Swiss side, Young Boys.

Just minutes before kick-off, Prince William took to his personal Twitter account to wish the team luck. His post was captioned: “The last time Aston Villa won in the top European competition, it was the month before I was born. Let’s hope tonight is the first step towards another European adventure.”

The heir to the throne is a lifelong Villa supporter and has watched several matches live – he has even taken his eldest son, Prince George along to some football matches.

Alongside the good luck message, Prince William also issued a heartfelt few words to the family of former Villa striker Gary Shaw, who died yesterday.

Included in his post online, Prince William added on social media site X: “My thoughts this evening are also with Villa legend Gary Shaw’s friends and family following his passing yesterday.”

Former Aston Villa striker Gary Shaw died yesterday aged 63 from injuries sustained in a fall. The striker had previously helped Villa win the 1981 league title and the European Cup in 1982.

Shaw was named the Professional Footballers’ Association Young Player of the Year in 1981 and European Young Player of the Year in 1982.

Over the past couple of years, the father and son duo have stopped by Villa Park in Birmingham to support their beloved team but tonight, William’s favourite team are playing their first Champion’s League match in over 40 years, taking place in Switzerland.

Prince William has previously shed light on why he has supported the club for so many years.

Speaking to the BBC in 2015, William explained why he decided to support Aston Villa over some of the larger clubs. He 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.”

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

The heir to the throne was just 23 when he took on the role of FA president and one of his first duties was to attend the 2006 World Cup in Germany that summer.

William’s role as FA president covers both England men’s and women’s sides.