Hollywood star Tom Hanks proudly reaffirmed his support for Aston Villa in an appearance on The Graham Norton Show this week.
The 67-year-old appeared on the BBC show alongside fellow actors Julia Roberts and Timothee Chalamet. Norton was talking to them about football and Roberts confessed her love for Manchester United, telling her fellow guests she had been to Old Trafford and met some of the players.
When Norton prompted Hanks to say which team he supporters, the actor proudly said: “Aston Villa. We’re doing quite well this year, thank you. Anybody can root for Man United.”
When asked how that came to be, he recounted the famous story. “The very first time I came to England, I woke up very early in the morning and the football scores were on the BBC,” he said.
“They all had kooky names like Cheltenham took Twixby 2-0. They didn’t make sense, any of them.
“Then one came up and then ‘Aston Villa drew 1-1…’. Aston Villa, that sounds a lovely little place. Aston Villa. ‘Oh yes, I’m taking a holiday in Aston Villa, would you like to join?’ And then it turns out it’s in Birmingham.
“It’s a fabulous place. Villa Park is a magnificent stand to go to.”
