Plenty to smile about, your highness! Prince William celebrates wildly as his beloved Aston Villa score two early goals in Champions League clash against Fenerbahce

A delighted Prince William was seen celebrating in the stands as Aston Villa raced into a commanding lead in their Champions League tie against Fenerbahce.

The Prince of Wales – who has supported Villa since his school days – was watching on as Unai Emery's side took on the Turkish giants in their second league phase match.

Prince William punched the air in delight as Aston Villa took an early lead through summer signing Johan Manzambi.

Aston Villa doubled the advantage on the half hour mark through Nicolas Jackson, with the forward adding a third before half-time.

Prince William has been a regular presence at Villa Park in recent years and attended matches throughout their run to winning the Europa League last season.

He had joined players and staff following their triumph in the final in Istanbul back in May, after Emery's side claimed the club's first European trophy in 44 years. 

Aston Villa's Europa League success saw the club qualify for their year's Champions League, where Prince William will be hoping for a similarly successful European run.

A die-hard Villa supporter since his school days, William once explained how he chose the club while studying in Berkshire, resisting the pull of more popular teams.

'A long time ago at school I got into football big time. I was looking around for clubs. All my friends were either Man United fans or Chelsea fans and I didn’t want to follow the run-of-the-mill teams,' he told the BBC in 2015.

'I wanted to have a team that was more mid-table that could give me more emotional rollercoaster moments.

'Aston Villa’s always had a great history. I have got friends of mine who support Aston Villa and one of the first FA Cup games I went to was Bolton v Aston Villa back in 2000. Sadly, Villa went on to lose to Chelsea (in the final),' he said

'It was fantastic, I sat with all the fans with my red beanie on, and I was with all the Brummie fans and had a great time.

'It was the atmosphere, the camaraderie and I really felt that there was something I could connect with.'