Tom Hanks is spotted at Villa Park for Arsenal’s must-win clash with Aston Villa
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Hollywood royalty and Aston Villa fan Tom Hanks was stunned by Ollie Watkins’ quick opening goal against Arsenal after the actor met the team in the dressing room ahead of their Premier League opener in the stadium.
Tom Hanks was left in disbelief when Ollie Watkins produced a fine finish to put Aston Villa ahead against Arsenal on Saturday.
The Hollywood star was seen at Villa Park ahead of Villa’s delightful Premier League game against title contenders Arsenal.
After meeting with Unai Emery’s team in the locker room before the game, Hanks was seen watching the game from the directors box.
He greeted the fans before sitting down for kick-off, but was soon on his feet when Watkins surprised with a fine goal in just the fifth minute.
The 66-year-old expressed his passion for Villa in January 2008 and is believed to be his first visit to the stadium.
Tom Hanks was left in disbelief as Ollie Watkins produced a fine finish to put Aston Villa
Hanks celebrates after watching his team score the first goal against title contenders Arsenal.
Forward Watkins stunned Hanks and the Gunners with a great shot in just the fifth minute.
Hanks was seen talking to one of the local referees and got a feel for the pitch together with the club’s CEO Christian Purslow before the game.
The American actor, based in Los Angeles, admitted his support for Villa to channel 5 in 2013, he said: ‘I am. Well, I’ve seen an Aston Villa game, it was a friendly in the United States.
‘I try to keep up. I have a very good friend who lives and dies in Aston Villa, he is also in Los Angeles so I always get my updates from him.
‘Because I can never find out what channel the football game is on on my grid at home: 583, 643, 801? I can never quite find it.
“Whenever I watch football matches on the football channels, as we call it, it’s always West Ham playing Man United, Tottenham playing Queens Park Rangers. Bring me Villa, bring me Villa!
Isn’t that a lovely place, Aston Villa? Got a lovely massage at Aston Villa…
The club’s official Twitter account shared photos of Hanks meeting players before the game, including playmaker Philippe Coutinho, who scored Villa’s second goal.
The Brazilian put Villa back in front with a quiet finish on 31 minutes after Bukayo Saka equalized for the visitors shortly after Watkins’ first goal.
Hanks was in a box at Villa Park on Saturday to watch the Premier League game against Arsenal.
Hanks celebrates scoring Villa’s second goal after Watkin’s opening goal was disallowed by Arsenal in the first half
The actor familiarized himself with the pitch with the club’s chief executive, Christian Purslow, before the game.
Hanks has expressed his passion for Villa, but this is believed to be his first visit to Villa Park.
