Aston Villa fan Tom sports the team's colours at London

At the first UK screening of his latest flick, Tom Hanks took to the red carpet wearing an interesting accessory - a scarf emblazoned with the name of the British football team he supports. The actor donned the claret and blue colours of Aston Villa for a screening of Charlie Wilson's War.

"I'm big on Aston Villa," declared the 51-year-old, who plays a US congressman in the film. "The name is just so sweet. It sounds like a lovely spa!" he joked.

"There are a lot of people out there who think Aston Villa are going to take the premiership," continued the Birmingham-based club's unlikely fan. "And I hope they do." After proudly holding aloft his football scarf the Academy award-winner crouched down to add his signature to a giant floor banner bearing the film's title.

By pledging his allegiance to Aston Villa Tom joins two other high-profile supporters of the club. Prince William once stated famously that in his opinion they're "the best team in the world", while rocker Ozzy Osbourne is also a fan.

Joining the sports aficionado on the red carpet were Tamara Beckwith and her Italian husband Giorgio Veroni, and socialite Tara Palmer-Tomkinson.

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