By Aston Villa FC

Premier League football returns at Villa Park on Wednesday night – but not as we know it.

 

No supporters will be in the stands due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with the matchday experience changing in a number of ways for players, staff and fans.

 

Here’s your guide to what’s going on leading up to Aston Villa’s game against Sheffield United.

 

Stay Away and Let Them Play

 

stay-away-let-them-play

Usually Villa Park would be full of fans creating an atmosphere that the home team can thrive in, but we all know that’s not possible at this time.

 

Every game will be available to watch on TV or listen to on radio, so stay at home and support the Villa from your living room.

 

VillaTV will be providing live match commentary from Villa Park, join Jack Woodward for coverage of all the action from the eagerly-anticipated behind-closed-doors clash.

 

Season Ticket Holders

As we're unable to welcome you to Villa Park, we're offering season ticket holders and hospitality seasonal members two Sky Sports Day Passes through NowTV. 

You can use these codes to watch our opening fixture v Sheffield United and our following game v Chelsea on Sunday, June 21, both broadcast live on Sky Sports. Existing Sky Sports or NowTV customers do not need to take any further action.

All season ticket holders will have been sent an email containing your unique voucher codes.

To get started, click here. You can also check out a handy how-to guide, click here.

*Subject to Sky Sports & NowTV Terms & Conditions.

New-Look Villa Park

 

The stadium will look different for obvious reasons due to the absence of supporters, but a number of things have been done to help bring our famous ground to life on matchday.

 

Following an appeal from the club, we have received over 100 flags from supporters that will be displayed in the stands.

 

The flags will complement a wrap, displaying iconic Aston Villa imagery, that will cover the lower tier.

 

Fans will also play their part in supporting the team via the big screens. Celebratory fan videos will be played on LEDs and the #PartOfThePride social mosaic featuring thousands of fan pictures will appear.

 

The Premier League are also hosting a ‘Fan Wall’ with 24 fans from each team for each game to chat whilst the game is on. Enter via Pride Rewards for future matchdays and keep an eye out for this game’s Fan Wall.

 

Matchday at Home

 

Supporters can still get hold of the renowned Villa News & Record, Aston Villa’s official programme, for the six remaining behind-closed-doors Premier League home fixtures as limited-run special collectors’ editions that will be posted to your home in time for the games.

 

To ensure supporters don’t miss out on these keepsakes of an unprecedented season, a mini-subscription to cover all six editions is now available for £19.99 - inclusive of first class postage to a UK address. To order your copies, visit the Ignition programme shop, click here, and look for the Aston Villa Behind-Closed-Doors Editions graphic.

 

Before kick-off, supporters can play a score predictor and Pride Rewards games, and listen to our specially-made Spotify playlist and crowd chants collection.

 

You can also change your Facebook profile picture using our unique Villa frame or use our custom Villa Park backgrounds for your in-game video calls.

 

To help recreate the match-day feel at home, the Aston Villa Purity Pale usually sold at Villa Park is available to order. The firm fans' favourite matchday beer is available to order straight to your front door via our Partner Purity Brewing’s website.

 

 

Fifty50 Draw

 

The Aston Villa Foundation have been doing some vital work reaching vulnerable people during the lockdown.

 

One of the areas they’ve been working hard to service is providing meals for local people via their Villa Kitchen initiative, with over 7,500 made and distributed during lockdown.

 

The Fifty50 draw is running as normal for our remaining home fixtures, and 50% of Wednesday’s proceeds will support the Villa Kitchen. Fans can play online here.

Advert Advert