Steven Gerrard had stated his wish for Aston Villa to produce a performance that would make Prince William proud and while it was a game that made grim viewing and one that will not live long in the memory, the result will have been gratefully received by all of those of a Villa persuasion.
“He probably already knows the result, knowing him,” Gerrard said an hour after the final whistle, before revealing the Queen’s grandson sent a message to his squad in the week.