Ashley Young is preparing for an emotionally-charged return to action on Friday night after paying his respects to the Queen in London and seeing the new King.
Villa and club captain Young host Southampton after their trip to Leicester was postponed in the wake of the late monarch’s death last week.
Ex-England international Young got to know FA president Prince William on international duty and has since seen the Villa supporter at the Midlands club.
Young used his day off last weekend to take his family to the capital as normal members of the public to witness the tributes to Her Majesty and even saw the King drive past Buckingham Palace.
Former Manchester United ace Young, 37, said: “As a mark of respect, I think it was the right thing to do for the games to be postponed. It is not just because the Prince is a supporter of Villa, I think it is for every club to show their respect to the Queen.
“It was the right decision taken. We were ready to travel but, obviously when we got the news, we just had to change our plans and train.
“We got the opportunity to have a day off so, for me, I took my family into London to go around Green Park, Buckingham Palace to pay our respects and to give an insight for my kids.
“I don’t think you can really describe it until you go there yourself, it was quite surreal. It was busy, it was packed, people laying flowers at the different memorials that were there.
“We wanted to go down and take the kids there and look at the history of the Queen and show them different places – Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, Downing Street.
“There’s so many different places we walked around on Saturday. As I say, it was just an insight for the kids to go there and see. We were even able to see the new King as well so that was nice to see. It is a bit of history lesson and a chance to be part of history.”
Steven Gerrard’s Villa side claimed a hard-fought point last time out against reigning Premier League champions Manchester City after three successive top-flight defeats.
Young was introduced as a 27th-minute substitute and put in an inspired display which earned him the man of the match as Villa fought back to draw 1-1. The versatile ace, who can operate at full-back on either flank and higher up the pitch, believes the display set a benchmark for Villa.
He added: “I think it was a big confidence boost.I think the way we performed, the way we played, was good to see. The fans could understand we put everything out there and that’s how it’s got to be in every game.”
