Aston Villa supporters are being asked to pay an emotional tribute to a fellow fan who has died suddenly. Guy Manners passed away following a heart attack last week. He was 49 years old.
Family and friends call for minute's applause
His brother Tom and close friend Edwin Grice contacted BirminghamLive to share the tragic news. Guy's loved ones believe a minute's applause from the claret and blue fanbase would be a fitting tribute to the 'kind and generous' Villa fanatic. They have called on fans watching Villa's pre-season friendly against Real Sociedad at Walsall's Bescot stadium next Tuesday (July 28) to pay their respects in the 49th minute of the match.
Tom Manners said: "My brother Guy passed away very suddenly this week. Before he died, he bought tickets for the two of us to go and see the Real Sociedad match. Our last match together was in Istanbul, which was obviously a brilliant occasion for every Villa fan, but for us it was also the latest in many, many wonderful trips, journeys and adventures together."
Tom would love Villa fans to give Guy a minute's applause during the 49th minute of the warm-up game against Real Sociedad. But has warned supporters that his warm and loving brother was a stickler for accuracy! "If any Villa fans are at the game and would like to join me, could we applaud and cheer for Guy in the 49th minute?" he said. "Now, Guy was many things: generous, kind, loving... but he was also a complete pedant! He would be the first person to point out that the 49th minute actually runs from 48:00 to 48:59. So, if you're joining in, that's the minute he'd expect you to do it."
Final trip together in Istanbul
Guy and Tom's final trip together was Villa's Europa League triumph over Freiburg in Istanbul in May. Tom is grateful he got to witness the historic night with his brother and will treasure the memory forever. "The photos show the shirts we bought especially for the Istanbul final," he added. "I never intended to wear mine again after what felt like a once-in-a-lifetime trip. None of us knew it would also be our final trip together. I'll be wearing the same shirt with 'Istanbul '26' on the back and the same scarf we wore on that amazing night, in honour of my brother. There's another Holte Ender in the Sky."
Rest easy, Guy. #HEITS.
