Aston Villa fans advised of 'busy' rail services

Rail operators including Chiltern Railways have issued collective travel advice for Aston Villa fans

Aston Villa supporters travelling to Wembley by train have been collectively issued with travel advice from rail operators.

Villa are set to play Crystal Palace in the FA Cup semi-final, which kicks off at 17:15 BST on Saturday.

Passengers were advised that train travel on the day was expected to be "very busy" with "limited rail services in operation" from London to Birmingham post-match, Chiltern Railways said.

Rail operators in the region have also reminded customers to check their journeys and to plan ahead and purchase tickets in advance of travelling.

Chiltern Railways will operate direct services from Warwick Parkway to Wembley Stadium on the day, with Avanti West Coast and London Northwestern Railway operating services from Birmingham New Street to London Euston.

However, Chiltern added fewer services would be in operation back to the West Midlands, should the match go into extra time and penalties.

Lucy Wootton, head of the Grand Railway Collaboration, said she wanted to remind Villa fans that rail travel to and from the match would be "extremely busy".

"The kick off time of 17:15 BST means that there will be limited rail services after the match for supporters returning to the West Midlands," she added.

"Please plan your trip in advance of travelling and you may want to consider extending your stay into the following day."

No Chiltern train services would be in operation from Birmingham Moor Street, Solihull, Dorridge, Hatton, Lapworth or Warwick to London, a spokesperson added.