Aston Villa face Arsenal on Saturday afternoon and for this fixture, the most famous face in the stadium wasn’t on the pitch.
Indeed, while stars such as Bukayo Saka, Granit Xhaka and Martin Odegaard are all set to play on Saturday, the biggest name in the ground will be watching from the stands as Tom Hanks watches his beloved Villa take on the Gunners.
It’s strange to see such a famous face supporting Villa, and his presence at Villa Park has led to many asking why Hanks is a fan of Unai Emery’s side.
Well, the answer is rather simple.
Why does Tom Hanks support Aston Villa?
Quite simply, Tom Hanks is a Villa fan because he likes the name of the club.
Apparently, the Hollywood star was apparently flicking through the football scores one day and was caught by Villa’s name, believing that it sounded like a small spa town.
“Ah, Aston Villa! It sounds like a lovely vacation spot we might go to and I bet it is,” Hanks said.
“I’m on my way. I don’t know when, but I’m on my way.”
“I’m a fan because their name sounds so pleasant. I have not been up to Birmingham to see an actual match. I gotta gear up for that, man.”
Well, the Forrest Gump actor would have been in for a bit of a surprise when he turned up and found out that the Villans are in fact based the second-biggest city in England – certainly not a spa town.
Does Hanks support any other clubs?
Hanks is a ride-or-die Villa fan, but he did have an affinity for Leicester City at one point.
Indeed, during their 5,000/1 title winning season, Hanks made it clear that he was rooting for the Foxes as he claimed to have bet £100 on Leicester to win the league at the start of the season at long odds.
Unfortunately, Villa were relegated that season, but at least Hanks was a winner when backing the Foxes to win the title.
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