Fans and former players join stadium sleep-out

The event raises funds for the foundation's work in the community

Stadium tours and a chance to quiz Aston Villa football players will be keeping people entertained during the annual fundraising Big Villa Sleep Out at the club's stadium.

Former players Ian Taylor and James Chester will be spending the night between the seats of the Upper Holte End, where the sleep-out will be held for the first time, to raise money for the community.

They will be joined by BBC Radio WM presenter Katharine Merry, who is also an Aston Villa Foundation ambassador.

Taylor's tips were to sleep on the stadium concourse and bring a pillow and a sleeping bag and "just be nice and warm".

Top tips included bringing a sleeping bag and layers to keep warm

Stefan Ferencz, development manager at Aston Villa Foundation, said the sleep-out was one of the foundation's most popular, longstanding fundraising events, and since it was launched in 2018 had raised in the region of £100,000.

"All of the money goes to distributing essential items that young people and families across Birmingham might not have access to," he said, "such as food, hygiene products and clothing".

He said it was the first time ever the event had taken place in the "iconic" Holte End, which is known as one of the most famous stands in English football.

There will be entertainment and fundraising throughout the night

Entertainment during the night includes a quiz, a raffle, food from Kerbside Cobs and stadium tours, along with a question and answer session with football players.

Mr Ferencz said: "We'll have James Chester and Ian Taylor joining us for the night and also worth mentioning that we're going to have an exclusive DJ set from our foundation ambassador Nathan Dawe."