![](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/1_Aston-Villa-v-Ajax-UEFA-Europa-Conference-League-Round-of-16-Second-Leg-Villa-Park.jpg\")
A police presence ahead of Aston Villa’s UEFA Europa Conference League Round of 16, second leg match, against Ajax, at Villa Park, in March 2024(Image: Nick Potts\/PA Wire)<\/p>\nWest Midlands Police officers will be out in force in Birmingham this Thursday as the city prepares to host the Aston Villa v Maccabi Tel Aviv Europa League tieA police presence ahead of Aston Villa’s UEFA Europa Conference League Round of 16, second leg match, against Ajax, at Villa Park, in March 2024(Image: Nick Potts\/PA Wire)<\/p>\n
Police have issued an update on their plans for the Aston Villa<\/a> versus Maccabi Tel Aviv later this week.<\/p>\n The Europa League<\/a> tie is set to take place at Villa Park<\/a> on Thursday, November 6, kicking off at 8pm.<\/p>\n Despite away fans being banned from attending<\/a>, and the Israeli club, in any event, saying it would not take an allocation if the decision was reversed, there will still be a huge police presence on the day.<\/p>\n Read more: Police and council reveal new decision on Maccabi fans ban<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Protests are planned at nearby Aston Pavilion on the night by the Birmingham<\/a> Palestine Coalition, who want Israeli teams out of UEFA and FIFA competitions.<\/p>\n While West Midlands Police<\/a> is also expecting protests by different groups to take place on the day.<\/p>\n The force has said it will conduct a \u2018large policing operation\u2019 to quell any potential trouble.<\/p>\n And in readiness, it has said some 700 officers will be out in Birmingham \u2018officers keeping the public safe and arresting anyone who engages in crime and disorder\u2019.<\/p>\n There will also be police horses, dogs, road police and a drone unit all in attendance with those not attending the game advised to \u2018avoid the area\u2019.<\/p>\n There will also be a drone ban for members of the public on the afternoon and evening of the game.<\/p>\n A force spokesperson said: \u201cAs part of our operation to keep people safe, drones will be restricted from flying within a one nautical mile radius of Villa Park between 2pm and 11.59pm on 6 November.<\/p>\n \u201cThe drone-only restricted airspace (RA(T)) means that flying your drone in this area during this time will be a criminal offence.\u201d<\/p>\n Read more: Inside Villa Maccabi ban row as Birmingham council leader reveals he ‘warned police chief not to’<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Birmingham Police commander, Chief Superintendent Tom Joyce, said: \u201cOur message to those from all communities in Birmingham is that we have listened and will continue to engage with you.<\/p>\n \u201cWe remain committed to maintaining the city\u2019s reputation as a safe and welcoming place for everyone.<\/p>\n \u201cAnyone who breaks the law will be dealt with directly, as will those who incite hate.\u201d<\/p>\n Ch Supt Joyce continued: \u201cWe have been working closely with partners, including Birmingham City Council<\/a>, Aston Villa Football Club, our colleagues in other emergency services, as we put in place our significant policing operation.<\/p>\n \u201cPeople can expect to see a large number of uniformed officers, as well as police horses, police dogs, our drone unit, road policing unit, protest liaison officers and others.<\/p>\n \u201cWe will also be ensuring that we continue to provide the same great policing service to the whole of the West Midlands.<\/p>\n \u201cPeople not attending the event should expect significant disruption to the roads in the area on the evening, and we\u2019d urge people to avoid the area where possible.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"Close](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/2_Aston-Villa-v-Manchester-City-Premier-League-Villa-Park.jpg\")
Close up of the Aston Villa (left) and Maccabi Tel Aviv club badges on a scarf before the Premier League match at Villa Park(Image: Mike Egerton\/PA Wire)<\/p>\n![\"General](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/0_Aston-Villa-v-Burnley-Premier-League-Villa-Park.jpg\")
General view of Villa Park.(Image: PA)<\/p>\n