Jude Bellingham aims dig at Aston Villa before jetting off with England to Euro 2024

Jude Bellingham aimed a dig at Aston Villa before jetting off to Germany with England for the European Championships.

On Monday, Gareth Southgate’s 26-man squad flew to Germany ahead of their opening game of Euro 2024 against Serbia.

England are among the favourites to win the competition, with the Three Lions boasting the attacking riches of Harry Kane, Bellingham, Phil Foden, Bukayo Saka and Cole Palmer among others.

Bellingham, in particular, is the jewel in England’s crown, having enjoyed a phenomenal first season with Real Madrid, netting 23 goals and claiming 13 assists in all competitions while being named La Liga’s Player of the Season.

Despite the 20-year-old now plying his trade in Spain, he remains an ardent Birmingham City supporter, having come through the ranks at St Andrew’s.

So naturally, he was quick to aim a cheeky dig at Villa, Birmingham’s rival, before boarding England’s plane to Germany.

As he was signing autographs Bellingham was told there were a contingent of Aston Villa fans among the crowds of people seeing England off.

In response, Bellingham jocularly said: “You’re joking! I feel bad for signing them now.”

Elsewhere, England boss Southgate has made headlines upon suggesting that Euro 2024 could be his last tournament.

The 53-year-old has been in charge since 2016, and in that time taken the Three Lions to the 2018 World Cup semi-finals, the Euro 2020 final and the 2022 World Cup quarter-finals.

With his contract expiring in December, Southgate told German newspaper Bild that failure to win a trophy in Germany could lead to the end of his tenure.

"If we don't win, I probably won't be here anymore. Then it might be the last chance," he said. "If we want to be a big team and I want to be a top coach, then you have to deliver in the big moments."

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