The Birmingham Football Club Aston Villa went all out to honor Ozzy Osbourne on Wednesday night (Jan 29), paying tribute to the rock legend and lifelong Villa supporter with a massive banner before their Champions League match.
Just before kick-off, a giant display of the Prince of Darkness himself was unveiled, set against a packed-out crowd belting out “Allez, Allez, Allez” - a phrase from Aston Villa fans’ classic chant. The banner also displayed the words ‘Up the Villa’ around Ozzy’s head, as well as the phrases ‘Every week we follow…’, ‘Villa Till I Die’, and ‘Claret & Blue Army’ around the border.
Ozzy, who grew up in the Aston area of Birmingham, has been a die-hard Villa fan for years, alongside his Black Sabbath bandmate Geezer Butler.
Aston Villa explained the tribute, saying “A celebration of the club's heritage with global appeal and a local heartbeat, the Prince of Darkness embodies Villa's Aston origins, bridging the worlds of rock metal and football.
“A living legend who, like Villa fans, carries his claret and blue pride across borders. Together, we celebrate our roots, our passion and our relentless pursuit of glory.”
And the banner must’ve helped - Aston Villa ended up beating Celtic 4-2 to charge onto the last 16 of the Champions League.
Last year, Sharon Osbourne revealed that Ozzy was hoping to play a farewell concert at Birmingham’s Villa Park to say “goodbye” to fans.
A few months later, Geezer said him and Ozzy ‘have agreed’ to come together for one last gig, but it would depend if the other members were keen.
We haven’t heard anything else about this supposed final Sabbath gig - but how good would that be?
