Aston Villa paid a touching tribute to Queen Elizabeth II ahead of their Premier League clash against Southampton on Friday.
The lights inside Villa Park were dimmed down as fans and players paid their respects to the Queen following her passing last Thursday.
A minute’s silence was observed followed by an applause, with ‘God Save the King’ then being sung in an incredible moment following the resumption of England’s top flight.
Aston Villa and Southampton hold a minute of silence to mark the passing of Queen Elizabeth II. pic.twitter.com/w5Wu1vW76k
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) September 16, 2022
We pay tribute to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s extraordinary life of dedication and duty to the nation and the world pic.twitter.com/tSXw30VNGq
— Premier League (@premierleague) September 16, 2022
Villa boss Steven Gerrard and Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl joined the players and the match officials in the centre circle as they paid their respects.
Fans inside the stadium joined in with the national anthem, belting out ‘God Save the King’ before kick-off.
A tribute was also performed in the other league game between Nottingham Forest and Fulham.