Boxing Day football takes centre stage at Villa Park for the third year running when Chelsea visit for a Premier League tie (ko 5:30pm).
Aston Villa beat Crystal Palace in an empty stadium last season, but supporters will be in attendance this time around to witness some festive football.
Below you’ll find all the information you need to enjoy your visit to the stadium on matchday…
Tickets
The Chelsea game is sold out - thanks for your brilliant support!
Purchasing a membership is a great way to ensure access to tickets for games at Villa Park. Click the link below for more information.
Aston Villa Memberships
Your visit to Villa Park
In the current climate, it's important that supporters take steps to ensure that their visit to the stadium is a safe one.
Turnstiles open at 4pm, so make sure you arrive to the stadium in plenty of time ahead of kick-off to ensure smooth entry. However you're planning to get to the match, take a look at our Travel & Parking guide before leaving home.
As is usually the case, a traffic exclusion zone will be in operation around the stadium – meaning there will be less traffic on Trinity Road and Witton Lane from 90 minutes before the match starts. Limited car parking is available at Brookvale car park, subject to availability.
Supporters are advised to read the COVID-19 Matchday Regulations that are in place.
The Holte Suite will open three hours prior to kick-off and close two hours after full-time. Please note the Holte Pub is CLOSED on Boxing Day.
Matchday protocols and COVID-19 guidance
Supporters are advised to be prepared to show NHS COVID-19 status certification in order to attend matchdays at Villa Park.
Following the government’s announcement to introduce Plan B of its COVID response autumn-winter measures, the following protocols are now in place for all match-attending fans.
All supporters aged 18 or over, including those in hospitality, will be required to:
- Pre-register your COVID status online in advance of arriving at the stadium - this is to declare you are symptom-free, hold a valid NHS COVID Pass or negative NHS COVID test result and understand you risk being refused entry if you cannot provide proof. Supporters will simply be asked to complete a pre-registration form which will be emailed to fans (lead bookers for group tickets) within 72 hours of matchday. This must be submitted prior to three hours before kick-off. Please ensure your email address and preferences are up-to-date.
- Show your NHS COVID Pass or negative NHS COVID test result (within the previous 24 hours) at stadium checks.
- Do not travel if you feel unwell and/or are displaying COVID symptoms
Spot checks will take place across all areas of the stadium, including hospitality, and supporters risk being denied entry if you are unable to show your NHS COVID Pass or proof of a negative NHS COVID test within the previous 24 hours, ideally on matchday.
If applicable, evidence of a negative lateral flow test result needs to be registered within the NHS COVID Pass. Do not bring your lateral flow test kit to the stadium.
For more information see the club's updated COVID-19 Matchday Regulations.
During the match
We would like to remind supporters that Villa Park is an all-seater stadium.
In all areas of Villa Park, we have children, elderly fans and those with medical conditions who are unable to see or watch the match if supporters stand up in front of them.
Please be mindful of this at all times and thank you for your cooperation.
Cashless stadium
Please note, Villa Park will be cashless to help ensure safe social distancing practices and minimise contact at all points of sale. This includes the Villa Store, with card payments widely accepted in and around the stadium.
The only exception is programme kiosks outside the ground, which will still accept cash.
Pre-match entertainment
Roaming entertainment will again be present at Villa Park on matchdays this season.
On Boxing Day, the entertainment will consist of a steel pan band playing a festive set.
All of the above will be located in the Trinity forecourt area and Holte End car park.
Food and beverage
Baked in Brick and Brummie Bostin Brownie have been popular additions to the food offering in the Trinity concourse this season.
Baked in Brick offer a range of BBQ Chicken Tikka burgers, a Lemon Curry Halloumi Burger and a range of fries. Serving up a sweet treat, Brummie Bostin Brownie have a selection of double chocolate brownies to choose from, including an Eton Mess and Banoffee Pie flavours.
Outside the stadium there will be several street food trucks situated on the Trinity Stand forecourt and a bar serving alcoholic and soft drinks. The traders include The Currywurst and Flying Cows.
Fun Zone
The family Fun Zone returns to Villa Park’s Academy Building on Sunday from 3:30-5:30pm.
Young Villans can take part in a number of exciting, fun activities ahead of kick-off. We have football darts, inflatable basketball shooting, wrecking ball, bungee eliminator, surfboard simulator, human table football, dance machine, face painting and a DJ.
Junior fans can also take part in Santa’s Mystery Helper Christmas Trail for the chance to win prizes. Every fan who completes the challenge will win a small prize and two lucky supporters will walk away with a bonus prize, courtesy of official club partner, Luke 1977. The bonus prizes are 2x General Admission tickets for either the Watford or Southampton game and a Nintendo Switch console and game.
To help keep people safe, sanitiser stations will be provided at each activity. Face masks will be required in the Fun Zone in line with government guidance on face masks in crowded indoor spaces.
Matchday Click and Collect
A new Matchday Click and Collect platform is in operation at Villa Park this season.
Supporters will be able to pre-order merchandise in the run up to matchday and on the day, and collect from the Villa Store or Holte Store. You can also order from your seat up until half-time and collect after the game.
Visit here to shop, choose your collection point, and pick up on the day.
Villa Store opening hours v Chelsea: 10am-5:30pm and reopens at 7:15pm-8pm
Holte Store opening hours v Chelsea: 2:30pm-5:30pm and reopens at 7:15pm-7:45pm
Trinity pop-up store v Chelsea: 4pm-5:30pm and at half-time
Trinity Hospitality store v Chelsea: 2:30pm-7:45pm
Academy v Chelsea: 4pm-5:30pm
See it...hear it...report it!
If you witness discriminatory behaviour at a match or around a stadium, please report it to the police or a steward.
Supporters at Villa Park can text REPORT to 60060 along with the location of the incident and details of what you have witnessed using one of the key words below to enable a prompt response.
The text line also includes the reporting of any safeguarding concerns. The text service will be supported by our security team and West Midlands Police. Each text costs one standard message at your network rate. The club may share your details with West Midlands Police if further information is required to assist with a criminal prosecution.
Fan engagement and Pride Rewards
Fans will again be able to take part in the ‘Pick a Player’ game on Pride Rewards for the chance to earn loyalty points. All you have to do is pick a player for the match and their performance during the game will earn you points. Please note that the Pride Rewards collection point will be closed on Boxing Day.
Half-Time Trivia returns for this game. Fans will have the opportunity to test their Villa knowledge at half-time for a chance to win a 2021/22 home shirt.
The question will be read out and displayed on the big screens pre-match, with the winner presented with the shirt at half-time. All fans have to do is tweet their answer along with #PartOfThePride and their seat, row, block and stand for the chance to win.
We want to know about your matchday experience at Villa Park. Tweet us using #avfclive and let us know your matchday experiences!
LUKE 1977 Prize Giveaways
LUKE 1977 is the official match sponsor for the Chelsea game and they’re going big on the prize giveaways to celebrate, kicking off with a £10 LUKE voucher which will be emailed to every fan attending the game*.
20 lucky fans will win special bonus prizes, including a games console and a brand new outfit, from LUKE on the day. Prize winners will be selected from all around the ground on matchday: eight fans will be randomly selected from the stands (two from each stand), two prizes will be given away in the Fun Zone Christmas Trail competition, two prizes can be won on Pride Rewards via the auction and prize draw competitions, one can be won in the Villa Store, two can be won in the hospitality raffle and five deserving winners will be selected by the Aston Villa Foundation for their great efforts in the community.
All winners will be announced at half-time and prizes can be collected from the Villa Store immediately after the final whistle. Fans will just need to show their match ticket as proof of which seat they were sitting in when they go to collect their prizes.
*The voucher has been emailed to all fans and is redeemable in store. If you have not received your email, please visit participating stores and show a valid matchday ticket from this fixture to redeem your gift voucher.
