No away fans, protests and 700 police - Aston Villa v Maccabi Tel Aviv explained

Aston Villa's Thursday night Europa League clash at Villa Park against Maccabi Tel Aviv will see no away fans after West Midlands Police deemed the fixture high-risk, citing previous incidents involving Maccabi. Over 700 officers will be on duty, including mounted units, drones, and road policing.

Six weeks ago, there was even a chance the game might not go ahead, with calls for Israeli teams to be removed from international competitions because of the Israel-Gaza war.

Pro-Palestinian and pro-Israel protests are expected outside the ground, while Villa Park's surrounding area is largely Muslim. Safety measures, ticket checks, and school closures nearby are in place to ensure the match goes ahead smoothly.

Villa fans are cautious, with some choosing not to attend due to concerns over protests and the "toxic atmosphere" created around the fixture.

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