Matchday Guide: Aston Villa v Crystal Palace

Villa Park is now fully NFC ticketing enabled for supporters to access the stadium. Near-Field Communication (NFC) enables fans to enter the stadium via Apple or Google Wallet.

Supporters can now also access their match-by-match tickets and enter the stadium directly via the Aston Villa app. Simply log into your Digital Account in the app and your tickets will appear under the ‘Tickets’ section. Supporters must update their app to the latest version to ensure in-app ticketing works without issue.

A limited number of general admission tickets for the match remain. Book online here.

The best way to secure tickets for future matches at Villa Park is via a Membership. 

Ahead of the match at Villa Park, the club would like to advise supporters of the following ticketing information to ensure everyone enjoys their visit to our stadium.

Fans will need to provide one of the two specified ticket types to gain entry to the stadium - access tickets in our official Aston Villa mobile app or download to Apple/Google Wallet for NFC entry.

The club has a range of new hospitality and GA+ areas to complement our existing offer. Check out all the information here and book online.

Hospitality bookings for our upcoming home matches can be made over the phone on 0333 323 1982 (option 1) or by emailing hospitality@avfc.co.uk.

Many supporters may not be aware of the policy regarding under-3s, so we are reminding supporters that under-3’s are only permitted to be in the Family areas in the Trinity Road stand at Villa Park and must have a match ticket. Further information can be found here Aston Villa Ticketing (avfc.co.uk)

It's important that supporters take steps to plan their visit to the stadium. 

Turnstiles open at 1.30pm, so make sure you arrive at the stadium in plenty of time ahead of kick-off to ensure smooth entry. 

Please note, access to stiles is maintained during the first half and will close once the half-time whistle is blown.

However you're planning on getting to the match, take a look at our Travel & Parking guide before leaving home. 

A traffic exclusion zone will be in operation around the stadium, meaning there will be less traffic on Trinity Road and Witton Lane from up to two hours before the match starts. 

The Holte Pub will open three hours prior to kick-off and close two hours after full-time.

Supporters are advised that the supply of car parking around Villa Park is limited. Fans can pre-book their space via either of the links below:

www.astonvillaparking.co.uk

www.countrywidemanagementsolutions.co.uk

We will continue to work with local parking operators to offer fans the opportunity to book parking near the stadium.

We would strongly encourage all supporters who have not pre-booked their car parking to travel to Villa Park by alternative modes.

Covered cycle parking is available at our Inner City Academy on Witton Road.

Plan ahead and check train timetables for direct services or travel earlier for less busy services. Visit Transport for West Midlands’ Journey Planner or the National Rail Enquiries real-time journey planner here.

There are a number of Park and Ride sites across the region, for further details visit Park and Ride.

To help you plan your journey by public transport, visit How to get to Villa Park.

There is no planned disruption to key road, rail and bus routes to Villa Park on Saturday.

Supporters are however reminded to take extra care when travelling to and from Villa Park in light of the expected adverse weather over the weekend.

Aston Villa is delighted to confirm to supporters that our AV82 city centre shuttle bus service will continue to run on matchdays this season. This follows a successful trial of the service at the back end of last season.

The service will be in operation for all men’s home matches in the Premier League, UEFA Champions League and all domestic cup competitions, helping supporters travel more easily to and from Villa Park.

Run by Stagecoach, the AV82 shuttle picks supporters up from outside Birmingham New Street Station on Dudley Street, running directly to Villa Park. Buses run every 15 minutes, starting three hours before kick-off for every home fixture. Services run back to Birmingham New Street at regular intervals for up to 90 minutes after the final whistle of every game, with services departing from Grosvenor Road, on the walking route towards Aston Station.

The club also has a dedicated bus service, AV1, that runs to Villa Park from Tamworth on matchday. You can purchase tickets here.

More information is available here.

Supporters with accessibility requirements travelling to Villa Park by rail are advised to look out for the accessibility signage on both platforms at Witton Station.

Station staff will be able to help you if you wait in the designated areas. More information is available here.

For any supporters with additional mobility needs who have questions about travel to and from Villa Park on a matchday, please contact accessibility@avfc.co.uk.

Villa Park's new Fan Zone is again open on Saturday, located in the former Players' Car Park.

The new space opens its doors at 12noon, with supporters able to enjoy a bar area, food and big screen TVs. 

The Fan Zone is also in prime position to watch player arrivals from 1.30pm.

We also have entertainment taking place on the stage opposite Trinity Reception, including live music from The Last Rouges.

We want to see your experience of matchday at Villa Park! Post your photos and tag #UTV and you could be featured on the big screens at the stadium!

Work is soon to begin on the transformation of the existing Academy building at Villa Park.

Unfortunately, due to the planned works, the Academy building is not operational to the extent to which we can safely open the Family Fun Zone.

The club are working on alternate arrangements to enable a continuation of some of the family-friendly pre-match activities. Updates will follow in the coming weeks.

Villa Park offers a wide range of cuisine and beverages on a matchday.

Outside the stadium, several street food trucks will sit alongside a bar serving alcoholic and soft drinks from 12noon.

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.

In-stadia betting kiosks will also be in operation for this fixture and such service will be provided on a cashless basis.

The Warehouse, which will now be 40,000 sqft, has been further developed with an enhanced design to accommodate live music and entertainment events for 3,500+ visitors and fans.

Structural alterations to over half the rooftop will make way for a newly raised flat roof which will accommodate a generous mezzanine floor and viewing galley from above for both live music and fan zone entertainment.

Creating a multi-use space called ‘The Warehouse’, will include a diverse range of Food & Beverage offers and pre- and post-match and event entertainment.

The Warehouse will become a vibrant and ‘go to’ destination for the community embedded in the Villa Park and Witton Street scene.

The latest edition of the Villa News & Record will be available to purchase at Saturday's match!

Fans can continue their sticker album collection, while the programme is also packed with features and news from around the club. 

Supporters will be able to purchase copies from sellers at Villa Park on matchday, while they're also available to purchase in the club shop and online here.

There are a number of places where supporters can shop for Aston Villa merchandise on a matchday, including the upgraded Villa Store. Below you'll find the opening times for each shop around the ground...

Villa Store: 9.30am-3pm and 5-6pm

Holte Store: 12pm-3pm and 5-6pm

Lower Grounds: 12pm-3pm and 5-7pm

Trinity Store: 1.30-3pm and at half-time

Black Friday is almost here and you can be the first to hear about our exciting deals coming up.

From Wednesday, November 27, you will be able to shop Villa merchandise online and in the Villa Store, snap up Hospitality & GA+ tickets, memberships and much more in our biggest Black Friday sale yet.

Register for a reminder to be the first to receive some of our best deals yet - make sure you don't miss out!

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.

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.

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.

Aston Villa on Thursday remembered the 21 people killed in the Birmingham pub bombings, on the 50th anniversary of the attacks.

182 people were also injured on November 21st 1974 as bombs exploded in the Mulberry Bush and the Tavern, two pubs in the city centre.

At half-time during Saturday’s fixture against Palace at Villa Park, a minute’s applause will be held while the names of the victims are displayed on the big screens. Family members will also be pitchside during the applause.

You can read more here.

New for 2024, the ‘Villa Predictor’ game will give fans the opportunity to win a £500 store voucher if they correctly predict the outcome of the game. T&Cs apply.

We want to know about your matchday experience at Villa Park. Tweet us using #UTV and you could feature on the big screens at the stadium!

The Pride Rewards Portal is back up and running. Log in here.

Aston Villa is excited to reveal a new AV150 Legacy Wall at Villa Park as part of our 150th anniversary celebrations.

Supporters have the opportunity to become part of our iconic home, wherever you are in the world, by purchasing your very own personalised plaque at Villa Park.

Our Legacy Wall is a place where you, your friends and family can show your support for the club, celebrate births, marriages, anniversaries or pay tribute to loved ones.

For more information, click here.