Tom Hanks, an A-list celebrity and self-described Villan, is Aston Villa’s very special visitor this afternoon at Villa Park.
Hanks, 66, is believed to have visited Villa Park for the first time since he first professed his love for the soccer team in January 2008. At the London film opening of his movie Charlie Wilson’s War, he made precisely that admission.
The Toy Story and Cast Away actor flew in from his residence in Los Angeles to watch Villa’s preseason friendly matchup against the Portland Timbers back in the summer of 2012.
Hanks mentioned his backing of Villa in a 2013 television interview that aired on Channel 5. When asked if he supported Villa, he responded: “I am. Well I’ve seen one Aston Villa match, it was a friendly in the United States.
“I try to keep up. I have a very good friend that lives and dies by Aston Villa, he’s in Los Angeles as well, so I’m always getting my updates from him.
“Because I can never figure out what channel the football match is on on my grid at home – 583, 643, 801? I can never quite find it.