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Aston Villa have paid a touching tribute to Black Sabbath singer and lifelong fan Ozzy Osbourne following his death at the age of 76.
The Black Sabbath frontman had performed from a throne on stage at Aston Villa's stadium Villa Park less than three weeks ago.
In a statement, his family said tonight: 'It is with more sadness than mere words can convey that we have to report that our beloved Ozzy Osbourne has passed away this morning.
'He was with his family and surrounded by love. We ask everyone to respect our family privacy at this time. Sharon, Jack, Kelly, Aimee and Louis.'
The rocker was able to bid an emotional farewell to his fans on stage this month as he reunited with his original Black Sabbath bandmates Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward for the first time since 2005.
In a statement following his death, Aston Villa paid tribute to Osbourne with the club noting his 'special connection' to the Premier League club.
Ozzy Osbourne has died at the age of 76, less than three weeks after playing his farewell gig at Aston Villa's stadium Villa Park
Aston Villa paid tribute on social media, highlighting his 'special connection' to the club
Osbourne's image had been used as part of a tifo ahead of Aston Villa's Champions League match against Celtic back in January
'Aston Villa Football Club is saddened to learn that world-renowned rockstar and Villan, Ozzy Osbourne has passed away,' an Aston Villa statement read.
'Growing up in Aston, not far from Villa Park, Ozzy always held a special connection to the club and the community he came from.
'The thoughts of everyone at Aston Villa are with his wife Sharon, his family, friends, and countless fans at this extremely difficult time.
'Rest in peace, Ozzy.'
Osbourne's connection to Aston Villa had been displayed throughout last season.
The singer's image was used as part of a giant tifo ahead of Aston Villa's Champions League match against Celtic at Villa Park in January.
Osbourne was depicted wearing an Aston Villa shirt in the tifo, which was displayed in the Holte End before the match.
Aston Villa said at the time that the Prince of Darkness 'embodies Villa's Aston origins, bridging the worlds of rock metal and football.'
Black Sabbath's logo adorned Aston Villa's home kit in a Carabao Cup match in October
Emi Martinez wore customised boots inspired by Osbourne and Black Sabbath against Tottenham in November
The club said the image 'celebrated our roots, our passion and our relentless pursuit of glory', while adding the moment would 'live in the hearts of Villa fans forever.'
Aston Villa had produced limited edition Ozzy t-shirts featuring the tifo display following the match.
Last October, Aston Villa launched a collaboration with Black Sabbath, which featured a limited edition Predator football boot and a specially-designed Villa shirt paying homage to Osbourne.
The hand painted design on the boot took inspiration from Black Sabbath's iconic albums and live shows, with the colour palette said to have embodied the band’s signature style.
'My absolute favourite colours in the world have always been purple and black,' Osbourne said at the time.
'It’s been Black Sabbath colours for over 50 years. Tony, Geezer, Bill and I look at this as a huge honour. UP THE VILLA.'
The shirt featured 'Black Sabbath' on the back, with the design shown when Aston Villa played Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup last season.
Aston Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez wore the customised boots during a Premier League match against Tottenham in November.
Osbourne had also been part of the video launching Aston Villa's 2024-25 season home kit
Osbourne was seen at the end of the skit asking wife Sharon, 'Where are my preds?'
Martinez and Osbourne had both featured in a skit to promote Aston Villa's home kit ahead of the 2024-25 season.
The clip saw Osbourne, dressed in a Villa shirt with a similarly clad dog in the background, on the phone to fellow Black Sabbath member Geezer Butler.
He asks the guitarist: 'Hey Geezer, let's play Villa Park.'
To which Butler replies: 'As long as I'm left wing.'
The band's iconic hit Paranoid then kicks in, triggering a sequence featuring Villa players and fans.
Geezer is seen during the video showing up in the home dressing room and asks if he should play through the middle or on the left, prompting a double take from Martinez.
Osbourne appears again later in the clip, shouting towards his wife: 'Sharon, have you seen my preds?' in reference to the Adidas Predator football boot.
