‘He will find a way’




Prince William is expected to travel to Istanbul next Wednesday for Aston Villa’s Europa League final against Freiburg, according to sources close to the royal.Although Kensington Palace has not officially confirmed his attendance at the match in Turkey, insiders suggest the heir to the throne is almost certain to be there.”Did you see his face last week?” one Kensington Palace source said. “He will find a way.”The prince was pictured celebrating at Villa Park last week when his side secured a 4-0 victory over Nottingham Forest.Prince William is expected to travel to Istanbul next Wednesday for Aston Villa’s Europa League final against Freiburg, according to sources close to the royal. | GETTYThat result sent Aston Villa through to their first major European final in more than four decades.Should Villa triumph in Istanbul, it would mark the club’s first major silverware in 30 years.Manager Unai Emery disclosed that the prince had made his way to the changing room following Thursday’s semi-final triumph to celebrate alongside the squad.”He was in the dressing room with the players and with me, and of course, he is so happy as well,” the Spanish coach said.The prince was pictured celebrating at Villa Park last week when his side secured a 4-0 victory over Nottingham Forest. | GETTYVilla’s appearance in the final represents a remarkable achievement for a club that has experienced significant ups and downs in recent years.The morning after the semi-final, a visibly tired William co-hosted a garden party at Buckingham Palace alongside the Princess of Wales, representing the King at the event.William acknowledged his fatigue, admitting he had “bags under the eyes” following the late-night celebrations.Catherine revealed that their three children had been permitted to stay up and watch the match from home, joking about the noise levels as the young royals cheered on their father’s team from the sofa.The Prince of Wales has supported Villa since his school days, despite having no family connections to the Midlands.Unai Emery disclosed that the prince had made his way to the changing room following Thursday’s semi-final triumph to celebrate alongside the squad. | GETTYHe explained his choice in 2015, saying he wanted to avoid following the same clubs as his classmates.”A long time ago at school, I got into football big time,” he said. “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.“I wanted to have a team that was more mid-table that could give me more emotional rollercoaster moments.”His first experience at Villa Park came during an FA Cup semi-final against Bolton in 2000, which the club won on penalties.Prince William regularly brings Prince George, 12, to significant fixtures, including last April’s Champions League quarter-final against Paris St-Germain in the French capital.