Celebrity supporters are behind Aston Villa

Harry Potter star Oliver Phelps is a season ticket holder

Aston Villa's most famous fans have been sending messages of support to the team in the run-up to the Carling Cup final.

Harry Potter star Oliver Phelps and Conservative leader David Cameron will both be cheering on Martin O'Neill's side.

Ex-Eastender and Villa fan Ian Lavender says he'll watch the historic match in a bar in Santa Monica.

Aston Villa face Manchester United in the final on 28 February.

It will be Villa's first trip to Wembley for a cup final in ten years.

BBC WM will be providing full coverage of the match and its aftermath live on 95.6FM

Nigel Kennedy

Nigel Kennedy - will be cheering Villa on from Australia

One of Villa's most famous celebrity fans, Kennedy is acknowledged as one of the world's leading violin virtuosos.

In 2008, he offered all season ticket holders tickets for any date on his 'Very Nice Album' Tour.

"Martin O'Neill has got the whole respect of football behind him," says Nigel. "He's got this young nucleus of what is going to be a future England team.

"I say best of luck but you're not going to need it because the football you're playing is phenomenal."

Ian Lavender

Ian Lavender - Private Pike proudly wore Villa scarf in Dad's Army

Ex-Eastender Ian has supported Aston Villa for more than five decades, ever since his days at the old Bournville Tech.

For years his character Private Pike in the much-loved sitcom Dad's Army wore a claret and blue scarf.

"I was most upset when people started saying 'Why does Private Pike support West Ham?', remembers Ian.

"He doesn't! It's Aston Villa - always was, always will be and still is!

"I shall be in Los Angeles visiting my granddaughter on the day of the match and I shall probably take (the scarf) with me and go and watch the match in the big English bar in Santa Monica."

Oliver Phelps

Season ticket holder Oliver Phelps' prediction: Aston Villa 3 - 1 Man Utd

Birmingham-born Oliver has played one of the Weasley brothers in the Harry Potter movies since 2000 and is a die-hard Villa fan.

"I've had a season ticket for about six or seven years now," he says.

"I think people need to reflect back to the David O'Leary days. The squad we had (then) - it wasn't necessarily the best - but now I think we've got the best defence in the league. The midfield players - easily three players who'd make it into the England team.

"I'd love to see Villa start crossing the ball in against a United defence because I don't think they're the best headers of the ball. If we do that, 3-1 to Villa."

David Cameron

David Cameron - saw Aston Villa play for the first time when he was 13 years old

Conservative Party leader David Cameron is the nephew of former Villa chairman Sir William Dugdale and has supported the team since he was 13.

"I think it's very exciting," he says.

"We've got a great team. We've got some really good, young English players and also with Martin O'Neill we've got a great manager. We're obviously up against the big guys but fingers crossed we can do it."

Tom Hanks

Tom Hanks - first saw Villa play in London

The Academy Award-winning movie star has made no secret of his support for Villa and is particularly fond of their claret and blue colours.

"Years ago I was in London and I was watching a football match and it happened to be Aston Villa," he says.

"I thought: 'I like their colours and I like the name so I'm gonna be an Aston Villa man from now on'".

Other famous faces who've publicly declared their support for Villa include Prince William, Ozzy Osbourne and Radio 1 presenter Emma B.