Aston Villa supporters are ready to descend on the club's famous stadium once again on Saturday.
A capacity crowd will see Dean Smith's team take on Midlands rivals Wolves.
Below you’ll find all the information you need to enjoy your visit to the stadium on matchday…
Your visit to Villa Park
Full houses are back at Villa Park, however, it's important that supporters take steps to ensure that their visit to the stadium is a safe one.
Turnstiles open at 1:30pm, 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.
Along with following the Club's COVID-19 Fans Code of Conduct vigilantly, supporters can take actions before, during and after the game to help minimise risk surrounding the transmission of the virus. See our Returning to Villa Park guide for more information.
The Holte Suite and Holte Pub open three hours prior to kick-off and close two hours after full-time.
Matchday protocols and COVID-19 guidance
Starting at Saturday's game against Wolves, supporters are advised to arrive at Villa Park in plenty of time in order to be prepared for increased spot checks.
COVID-19 status certification is not yet mandatory but we ask our supporters to be ready for its potential implementation on future matchdays should the government move to Plan B of its COVID response autumn-winter measures.
All supporters over the age of 18, including those in hospitality, should only attend a match if they have a valid NHS COVID Pass or can show valid alternative proof that they have been fully vaccinated or have registered a negative COVID test in the previous 48 hours.
Fans may be asked to produce evidence to demonstrate one of these forms of valid COVID certification before entering the stadium.
For more information see the club's Updated Matchday Covid-19 Guidance.
Please note, as it currently stands, no fan will be refused entry to Villa Park.
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 provided by Digbeth Dining Club, who featured at Villa Park on matchdays before the pandemic.
The entertainment will consist of a dohl drummer band and a circus act.
They will be located in the Trinity forecourt area and Holte End car park, but will be moving around the outside of the stadium before kick-off.
Birmingham Children's Hospital
The club's Official Charity Partner, Birmingham Children’s Hospital, are hosting their charity takeover day at Villa Park on Saturday, and they will be in and around the stadium with donation buckets and contactless donation machines.
Birmingham Children’s Hospital Charity exists to improve the lives of the 90,000 sick children treated at the hospital every year. From purchasing state-of-the-art equipment and championing the latest medical treatments to funding groundbreaking research and creating the very best patient environments, the charity makes a real difference to every child and family at the hospital.
Even the smallest donation can have the biggest impact on the life of a sick child, so please donate where you can.
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 Wolves: 9am-6pm
Holte Store opening hours v Wolves: 12-3pm and for one hour after the final whistle
Trinity pop-up store v Wolves: 1:30-3pm and at half-time
82 Lounge opening hours v Wolves: 12pm-3pm and at half-time for hospitality guests
Fun Zone
The family Fun Zone returns to Villa Park’s Academy Building on Saturday from 1-3pm.
Young Villans can take part in a number of exciting, fun activities ahead of kick-off. We have rodeo football, football darts, human wrecking ball, inflatable axe throwing, strike a light, assault course, foot pool, photobooth, pop-up store and a DJ.
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.
The Aston Villa Foundation will also be hosting a group of fans from the West Midlands Stammering Support Group in the Fun Zone. The group will have a stand and will be aiming to raise awareness of stammering ahead of international stammering awareness day which is on the 22 October every year.
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.
Fans can collect items they have redeemed on Pride Rewards from the collection point between 1-3pm. The collection point window is situated on the side of Villa Village just to the right of the main Ticket Office.
Half-Time Trivia returns for the start of the season. 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 & stand for the chance to win!
No Room For Racism
Saturday is the club's 'No Room For Racism' fixture, a Premier League campaign that aims to combat discrimination inside and outside of football.
Aston Villa fully supports the campaign and will not tolerate discriminatory behaviour of any kind.
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.
