HRH Prince William took the spotlight as he joined the TNT Sports punditry team to preview an exciting UEFA Champions League clash between Aston Villa and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG). The Prince of Wales, an avid supporter of Aston Villa, had previously witnessed a thrilling moment earlier this season when Villa prevailed over Bayern Munich with a score of 1-0 — a nostalgic nod to their impressive 1982 European Cup final victory against the same German side. On that fateful Wednesday evening, he graced the hallowed grounds of Parc des Princes, eagerly hoping his beloved Villa would inch closer to the coveted European glory.
In a spirited discussion alongside pundits Ally McCoist and Rio Ferdinand, Prince William expressed a blend of anxious anticipation and excitement ahead of the quarter-final clash. As a fan deeply steeped in the history of the club, he declared, “I’m pretty terrified. It’s been a while coming; it’s a big game — 43 years since the last time this happened. A significant European night for Villa, and naturally, I’m nervous.” Yet, amidst the jitters, there was an undercurrent of confidence and hopefulness, as he admitted, “I’m also excited by the whole prospect.” Emphasizing his belief in lucky charms, he shared, “I’m wearing all my lucky clothes and have done all my routines, so I’m hoping it’s going to bring some luck tonight.”
In his analysis of PSG’s style of play, Prince William highlighted the French side’s notorious high-pressing game, particularly observing their electrifying performance against Liverpool. “They gave a lot of pressure and pressed very high,” he noted. His understanding of the tactical battle emphasized the challenge awaiting both Unai Emery, Aston Villa’s manager, and the players as they faced an intense opposition. The Prince further appreciated PSG’s recent shift in strategy, focusing on nurturing young talents rather than solely relying on established superstar players, reflecting a development-oriented approach that could foster team chemistry.
One interesting talking point came from his remarks regarding Kylian Mbappe’s absence. “I think the PSG guys have talked about that quite a bit in the media— not having the superstars maybe makes it a bit more of a gel,” he inferred. He commended midfielder Vitinha, noting how impressive his journey has been from relatively unknown at Wolves just a few years ago to a key player in a top European club.
Turning to his admiration for Unai Emery, Prince William expressed gratitude for having such a brilliant tactician at the helm of Aston Villa. “I think I speak for most Villa fans— we’re thrilled and really lucky to have a manager of Unai’s quality,” he stated warmly. Describing him as a gentleman and a bit aloof in terms of sharing tactical insights, he fondly recounted a visit to the training ground where Emery’s meticulous attention to detail stood out. “He was moving players on the pitch about a centimetre left and right— that’s a man who cares about the little details,” he observed, emphasizing Emery’s dedication.
Prince William also shared a special familial aspect of his visit to Paris, mentioning that he brought along his son, Prince George, for this momentous occasion, partly to introduce him to the significance of such a European night. “I want George to experience a night out away from home in a big European competition. I hope it’s not 43 years until the next time it happens,” he said, underscoring the importance of creating lasting memories.
As the conversation pivoted toward England football, the Prince couldn’t resist praising Declan Rice for his remarkable performance, specifically highlighting his stunning free-kick goals against Real Madrid. “What a couple of amazing free-kicks,” he exclaimed with enthusiasm. “I’m really excited for seeing Declan and what he can do for the England team.”
As for predictions regarding the impending clash, HRH Prince William expressed his hopeful optimism with a confident scoreline: “I’m going to go 2-1 Villa,” he proclaimed. As the match approached, fans and pundits alike eagerly awaited the outcome, all eyes on the pitch as the 2024/25 Champions League run took center stage on TNT Sports and discovery+.