Hollywood actor Tom Hanks insists he has a passion for Aston Villa.

The Hollywood A-lister follows them and wore a Villa scarf at the premiere of Charlie Wilson's War in 2008.

And he wrote to Rick Leong of the California supporters' club saying: "If luck is with me, then I'll catch a match this season. Up the Villa."

Leong said: "Every year I send a Lions Club membership card to Tom with a note that says he is an honorary life-member of AVFC California.

"I didn't expect a response but he sent a very short note and signed it."