Villa shorts - by royal command

Aston Villa fan Prince William is desperate to get his hands on a pair of the team's shorts.

The football-mad teenager is so keen to acquire the kit, he has asked his father, the Prince of Wales, to try and pull a few strings.

Charles revealed his son's passion during an official visit to the club as part of his Prince's Trust charity work.

To huge cheers, Prince Charles told 500 dinner guests at Villa Park: "I don't know quite why, but my eldest son seems to be a keen supporter of Aston Villa."

He went on: "William was very interested to hear I was coming here this evening.

"He seems to be very keen for me to get him some Villa shorts.

"I am sure I will be open to negotiations!"

Cast-offs

Prince William has already been seen sporting a Villa hat and scarf and apparently owns a club waistcoat.

Too tight to mention - Darius Vassell

And if the future King of England wants a pair of shorts to go with his collection, surely not even 'Deadly' Doug Ellis will turn him down.

But which player would be willing to part with a pair of their cast-offs?

The thought of the 6ft 4in prince trying to squeeze into Darius Vassell's smalls is enough to bring tears to the eyes, while John Gregory would certainly not listen to offers for Gareth Barry's.

So why not take a dip into the laundry's very own trophy room and fish out a pair belonging to legendary striker Peter Withe?

Not only would William be able to regale his St Andrew's college mates with tales of Villa's glory days, they'd even come complete with his initials on.