Matchday Guide: Aston Villa v Chelsea

Aston Villa is proud to once again be supporting Level Playing Field’s ‘Unite For Access’ campaign.

Level Playing Field is the leading charity advocating for disabled sports fans in England and Wales, and the dedicated Unite For Access initiative is an annual period of inspiration and celebration of good access and inclusion at sports venues.

This season’s campaign takes place from Saturday, February 28 to Sunday, March 15 and focuses on raising awareness as well as driving equality for a more inclusive matchday experience for disabled sports fans.

Year after year, the campaign helps to recognise why watching live sport is so important to disabled supporters and what is done to deliver access and inclusion, as we come together to mark the occasion.

Wednesday's clash will be our dedicated ‘Unite For Access’ fixture and will see  players will wear Level Playing Field t-shirts during the warm-up and club media across all channels – as well as inside Villa Park – will show its support for the campaign.

To read full details and view the campaign launch video, click here.

Supporters are reminded to download the latest version of the Official Aston Villa App to download their match tickets ahead of kick-off.

All match tickets will now be issued in the Official Aston Villa App only, meaning you must have the latest version of the app downloaded in order to gain access to Villa Park on matchday. If you are unable to see your tickets, please log out and log back in.

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, and upon first open of the app, you will need to log out and then back in to verify your identity.

Click here for full information, FAQs, and 'how to' video guides on all app tickets for the 2025/26 season. 

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 are also reminded that an updated version of the official club app has been released for iOS devices following recent issues with the in-app ticketing functionality. Read full details here. 

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.

Click here for full details. 

Supporters are also reminded that an updated version of the official club app has been released for iOS devices following recent issues with the in-app ticketing functionality. Read full details here. 

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

Hospitality bookings for our upcoming home matches can be made over the phone on 01214680445 (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-3s 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. 

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

Turnstiles open at 6pm, so make sure you arrive at the stadium in plenty of time ahead of kick-off to ensure smooth entry. 

Please note, access to turnstiles 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 club's all-new Matchday Mental Health & Wellbeing Support Hub, which officially opened in November, will once again be open ahead of Wednesday's game. 

The Support Hub, located on the first floor of the Holte Pub, will be open on every matchday, providing a safe and welcoming space where supporters can access mental health support, guidance, and resources.

This pioneering initiative forms part of Aston Villa’s ongoing commitment to its community of fans, with the clear aim of raising awareness, reducing stigma, and encouraging help-seeking behaviour.

With the tagline “Supporting the Supporters”, the Hub will be staffed by trained volunteers and mental health professionals who will be on hand to offer confidential advice, a listening ear, and signposting to specialist services. 

Text AVFC to 85258 to be connected to SHOUT - anytime, day or night, 24/7 - for free confidential mental health and wellbeing support.

For more information, please click here.  

Additional shuttle services between Witton and Birmingham New Street will operate after the match. Birmingham – Rugeley services will be diverted to call additionally at Witton. The first post-match Walsall – Wolves service will call at Witton but not Aston to allow more fans to board these services at Witton.

Please plan ahead and check train timetables for direct services or travel earlier for less busy services. Please visit Transport for West Midlands’ Journey Planner or the National Rail journey planner here.

For real time traffic updates, follow @wmroads on X.  

Our dedicated city centre shuttle bus service, the AV82, will operate for the match. For more information on the AV82, visit here.

Our shuttle bus to and from Tamworth, the AV1, will also be in operation. For more information, visit here. You can also pre-book your ticket for the AV1 bus here.

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

Supporters are advised that the supply of car parking around Villa Park is limited.

We will be continuing to work with local parking operators to offer fans the opportunity to book parking near to the ground. 

Match-by-match car parking for the game is available through our new official travel website, travel.avfc.co.uk. 

Aston Villa is delighted to confirm to supporters that our AV82 city centre shuttle bus service will continue to run on matchdays this season.

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.

Services run back to Birmingham New Street at regular intervals for up to one hour after the final whistle of every game, with services departing from Grosvenor Road, on the walking route towards Aston Station.

Additional shuttle services between Witton and Birmingham New Street will operate after the match. Birmingham – Rugeley services will be diverted to call additionally at Witton. The first two post-match Walsall – Wolves services will call at Witton but not Aston to allow more fans to board these services at Witton. 

Shuttle buses can now be booked via our new dedicated travel website. Find out more here.

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.

Covered and secure cycle parking is available a short walk away from Villa Park at our Inner City Academy, Brook Vale, on Witton Road.

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.

We have a stadium-wide bag policy in place at Villa Park; all bags will be physically and/or visually searched at the stadium entrance. Any bags larger than 20cm x 15cm x 5cm will not be allowed onto the stadium footprint. For a full list of acceptable and prohibited items, please click here.

A matchday bag drop facility is now operating at Villa Park for bags which exceed the allowable size.

The bag drop facility is located on the corner of Witton Lane and Station Road.

There is a £5 charge per item and the bag drop is open from two hours before the game, until three hours after each game.

You can find out more information and register your bag(s) at villa.dropmybag.co.uk. 

Villa Park's all-new Warehouse matchday fan zone will again be open ahead of kick-off, located in the North Grounds. 

The new space opens its doors at 4.30pm, with supporters able to enjoy a bar area and food. There will also be a live DJ, former player Q&A, live sport and much more! 

The Trinity Fanzone will remain open as usual, and is in a prime position to watch player arrivals from 6pm. 

We will have entertainment taking place on the stage opposite Trinity Reception. 

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!

Villa Park offers a wide range of cuisine and beverages on a matchday, open from 4.30pm.

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

On the Holte End car park there will also be a bar and food traders, including Aston Villa Foundation's Kerbside Cobs. 

Supporters are reminded that Aston Villa adopts a one-cup system at Villa Park, in our continued environmental sustainability efforts.

Villa Park remains a cashless facility. 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.

Physical and digital copies of the matchday programme are available.

The Aston Villa Official Programme app gives supporters access to every edition of the Villa News & Record in a number of languages, no matter where you’re following from in the world, and it’s available to download now from the App Store and Google Play.

Download on the App Store     Download on Google Play

Physical copies can be purchased for £4 from sellers around Villa Park and in the Villa Store, while it's also available to order online here.

Villans can purchase digital editions on a game-by-game basis or save money with a subscription. 

The all-new adidas Villa Originals collection is available now, both online and in-store at the below outlets on matchday. 

The new lifestyle collection features a track top, track pants, tee and crew neck jumper - which all play homage to the heritage of Aston Villa and terrace culture.

Each item in the range is adorned with a gold embroidered Villa crest and trefoil branding for an authentic touch, framed by adidas’ iconic three stripes. Classic style meets modern comfort in a timeless look made for matchdays, city streets and everywhere in between. Perfect for fans who appreciate football-inspired fashion.

To read full details on the range, click here. 

If you’re planning a visit to the Villa Store the day before a match, please use the Witton Road entrance for parking.

This will be in place throughout the season while improvement works continue.

The Witton Road gates will be open during normal Villa Store shop hours. Thank you for your support and understanding.

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-6.30pm 

Holte Store: 4.30pm until full-time

82 Lounge: 4.30pm until kick-off, during half-time interval and for 45 minutes after full-time

Lower Grounds: 4.30pm until kick-off, during half-time interval and for 45 minutes after full-time

Trinity Store: 6pm until the end of half-time

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.

Following a proposal from the Fan Advisory Board, the clubs is pleased to announce that the Lower Grounds will be open for fans in the Lower Holte as an extended concourse at half-time.

The space will be open ten minutes before half-time and will close ten minutes into the second half.