Beaming Prince William poses with Aston Villa & Bayern Munich legends as he cheers on his side in Champions League clash

PRINCE William joined Aston Villa’s European football legends ahead of their Champions League clash at Villa Park.

Wills, a Villa fan, was in the stands at Villa Park last night to watch his team’s battle with giants Bayern Munich – led by England skipper Harry Kane.

InstagramPrince William posing with Aston Villa and Bayern Munich Legends[/caption]

InstagramWills spoke to Villa legends and even got close to the famous European Cup trophy[/caption]

APPrince William pictured celebrating a Villa goal in tonight’s Champion’s League clash – unfortunately, it was disallowed[/caption]

Players from the 1982 Euro final where Villa beat Bayern 1-0 thanks to a Peter Withe strike, met before the game.

And Wills got a chance to speak to Villa legends and even get close to the famous European Cup trophy.

In a touching tribute, the players posed with football shirts including one in the name of former striker Gary Shaw.

The footy legend died earlier this month aged 63-years-old.

Wills posted online at the time: “The last time @AVFCOfficial 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!

“My thoughts this evening are also with Villa legend Gary Shaw’s friends and family following his passing yesterday.”

The Prince of Wales shared the group photo with the football legends on X, formerly known as Twitter.

He wrote: “42 years on, our 1982 European Cup winning legends are here on a historic night for @AVFCOfficial.

“Ready for the first game on home turf in this year’s European adventure… #UTV (Up the Villa).”

The Prince of Wales was seen cheering on his team from the stands as they take on German giants Bayern Munich.

Television footage showed William clapping and cheering at Villa Park as home fans thought they took the lead through Pau Torres but the goal was ruled out for offside.

Villa, who opened their European campaign with a 3-0 win away at Swiss side Young Boys, played their first home fixture in Europe’s top competition since a quarter-final defeat to Juventus in 1983.

Earlier on Wednesday, footballing stars including former Scotland player Ally McCoist received honours from William at an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle.

McCoist, who was made an OBE, said the pair talked about football, including Aston Villa’s European tie.

McCoist told the PA news agency: “I’m obviously well aware that the prince is an Aston Villa fan – they’ve got a very, very big game tonight, which I think he’s going to.

“So we spoke about that, and just generally working in broadcasting and life really.”

Former England international Karen Carney, who was made an OBE, said she had “some banter” with William – who supports the rival team to her Birmingham City.

“To be brutally honest, a lot of people know I’m a Birmingham City fan, there’s a big game at Aston Villa tonight,” Carney said.

“Obviously with Prince William being a Villa fan I thought there was a good opportunity for some banter with him.

“He was really gracious, he’s going to the game, which is cool.

“So we just chatted about football really which is I think the common language for everybody, I think everyone can talk about football which is really good.

“I’ve met him previously with the Lionesses, he’s a football fan for both the men’s and women’s game, which is really cool.”

Earlier this year, William was seen cheering on the England men’s national team at the Euros.