Published: 22:43, 6 November 2025 | Updated: 22:44, 6 November 2025

A short walk down Trinity Road at about 4.30pm was all it took to understand this was no ordinary football match.

On a normal matchday at Villa Park, there is not much happening three-and-a-half hours before kick-off. You might see a few home supporters heading for pubs around the ground, or groups of away fans who have arrived extra-early to avoid the traffic.

Ahead of Thursday's Europa League meeting between Aston Villa and Maccabi Tel Aviv, the tension was palpable. Police vans and uniforms were everywhere, with 700 officers deployed. Where normally fans can stroll untroubled through the iron gates on Trinity Road, this time credentials were demanded before entry could be granted.

The backdrop to this game is well known but it is worth recalling. When West Midlands Police and the local safety advisory group determined that tickets should not be offered to Maccabi Tel Aviv fans on safety grounds, the move was condemned by leading voices including Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.

As the Government put pressure on the authorities to...