Why Tom Hanks is backing Aston Villa as Hollywood star watches Liverpool clash

Hollywood superstar Tom Hanks previously shared the funny story that led him to become an Aston Villa fan.

The legendary actor was in attendance at Villa Park in February when they hosted Arsenal in the Premier League. Along with Prince William, he is one of the best-known claret and blue fans, but few know the story of how he came to support the club.

Appearing on James Corden’s Late Late Show in 2019, Hanks told the full story of how he first heard the club’s name and thought it was an English seaside resort. On the show, host Corden told Hanks, “We take football very seriously here, and you’re a fan of a pretty obscure team.”

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Hanks replied: “I don’t think Aston Villa are an obscure, claret and blue team. But here’s what happened. The first time I came to the UK, I was young and experienced jet lag.

“So I jumped out of bed on my first morning in London, opened the curtains and looked out. It was June. What a beautiful day in London! where is everyone There was not a soul in the park, on the street. I realized then that it was ten minutes past five in the morning because the sun was rising.

“There was nothing to do but turn on the BBC and catch the football scores. I didn’t understand where these cities were. These clubs that were Swansea 6, Stoke City 0; Blackfoot 5 Tottenham on Twixby 3… I didn’t know where find out any of these teams. Then one came and said “Aston Villa 2…”.

“And I thought, ‘Aston Villa’, what a lovely place to holiday! Aston Villa… Her beautiful villa, open the French doors, there is beautiful Aston Harbor below.

“And it turns out it’s in Birmingham. There’s nothing wrong with that, nothing wrong with Birmingham. But it’s not a city for the faint-hearted, I’ll tell you that. So I’ve been a dedicated Aston Villa fan ever since. I’ve- I saw them play once, a friendly in the USA, so yeah, I support them.”

When Corden noted that Prince William is also a Villa fan, Hanks responded: “It’s not just the future King of England who’s an Aston Villa fan,” Hanks said. “But Aston Villa fans will soon, in the future, hold the FA Cup together.”

As Cordon countered, “It might be a long way down the road,” Hanks interrupted, yelling, “Aww, shut up!