Residents of Aston are bracing themselves for Aston Villa's Europa League match against Maccabi Tel Aviv on Thursday, November 6, 2025, a game surrounded by unprecedented security measures and simmering tensions. The match, set to kick off at 8:00 PM at Villa Park, has been classified as high-risk, leading to a massive police presence and a ban on Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters.
The decision to bar Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from attending was made following advice from West Midlands Police to the local Safety Advisory Group, citing security concerns based on "current intelligence and previous incidents". The game will be the first away game in the Europa League since pro-Palestinian protests took place at the stadium in Thessaloniki, Greece, when the club played PAOK on Sept. 24. According to The Times, West Midlands Police has said its risk assessment and guidance to SAG had not changed and that the away section will remain closed.
The decision has drawn international criticism, with some viewing it as unfair. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the decision "wrong," insisting that the role of the police was to allow all fans to enjoy football without fear. Despite calls for authorities to reverse the ruling, Maccabi Tel Aviv stated they would not accept any away tickets even if the ban were overturned, citing the safety and well-being of their fans as paramount.
Adding to the complexity, a Jewish communal organization claimed that Aston Villa ignored a proposal to allocate 500 tickets to British Jewish supporters for the game. The organization proposed safely transporting fans to and from the stadium, but the offer was allegedly not taken up.
Adding to the already tense atmosphere, rival protests are planned near Villa Park. The Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) has organized a protest at Aston Pavilion to "demand that genocidal Israel is excluded from UEFA and FIFA". A pro-Israel group, Our Fight UK, is also planning a counter-protest against the ban on Maccabi fans.
In response to these concerns, West Midlands Police will deploy a large-scale security operation, with over 700 officers, police horses, dogs, a drone unit, and road policing officers present. A no-fly zone has been declared around Villa Park, with drones restricted from flying within a one-mile radius of the stadium between 2 PM and 11:59 PM on match day. Police have warned of significant disruption to roads in the area and urged people to avoid the area if possible.
Birmingham Police commander, Ch Supt Tom Joyce, stated, "Our message to those from all communities in Birmingham is that we have listened and will continue to engage with you...We remain committed to maintaining the city's reputation as a safe and welcoming place for everyone...Anyone who breaks the law will be dealt with directly, as will those who incite hate".
The game itself is a crucial one for Aston Villa in their Europa League campaign. After losing 2-1 in Deventer last month in their third European outing, Emery's men will be looking to bounce back in what is their first competitive meeting with Maccabi. Maccabi Tel Aviv is currently seeking to win a third consecutive Ligat HaAl title, currently sitting second in the table.
