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The Premier League once again came together and paid tribute to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in the first top-flight English football game after her death last Thursday. Queen Elizabeth II aged 96, passed away at Balmoral Palace last week and hence matches were postponed in the wake of her death.
The first Premier League game after her death was played on Friday, where Aston Villa faced Southampton. Before the start of the match, a minute's silence was held in honour of the Queen. The lights were switched off at Villa Park for their silent tribute to Her Majesty.
The Villa Park also witnessed a rendition of 'God Save The King'. There was no pre-match music by the Premier League for the matches and the traditional pre-match handshakes were made as part of the new protocol. Players and referees from both teams had black armbands as per the official directives issued in a statement by the Premier League to mark its return.
While English clubs got a chance to play in European competitions, this was one of the first top-flight domestic match that was hosted in England under the rule of the new king. Villa Park also paid tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth II on the cover of their matchday programme. A minute's applause was also prepared for the 70th minute of the match, to mark the long reign of Queen Elizabeth II, who celebrated her Platinum Jubilee earlier in 2022.