Aston Villa supporters are calling on the club to organise a major public screening of the Europa League final in Birmingham, after it emerged that Villa Park will not host a fan event due to redevelopment work.
Fan demand for shared experience
With Villa set to face Freiburg in Istanbul on Wednesday May 20, thousands of fans are seeking ways to watch the match together. The club has allocated 11,000 tickets for the final, but many more supporters will be left without a seat in Turkey. A screening at The Warehouse for a couple of thousand fans has already sold out, and nearby venues like The Witton Arms are also full.
Fans have expressed a strong desire to gather in large numbers to share the excitement and tension of the club's first European final in 44 years. Social media is buzzing with calls for the club to explore alternative venues in the city.
Why Villa Park won't host a screening
According to Villa reporter John Townley, the club stated that tight deadlines for the North Stand redevelopment are the reason for not planning a larger screening at Villa Park. Work is set to begin after the final home game of the season on May 17, leaving just three days before the final.
Critics argue that the construction schedule could be adjusted with overtime, or that the first home fixture of the 2026-27 season could be delayed by a few days to accommodate a fan event.
Alternative venues suggested
Fans have proposed using other large spaces in Birmingham, such as the Utilita Arena (formerly the NIA), which appears to have no events scheduled on the night of the final. However, the logistics of policing, public safety, and minimising disruption would need to be addressed within the short timeframe of 11 days.
Former Villa player Stan Collymore is among those urging the club, the council, and local authorities to act. Supporters are hopeful that a solution can be found to allow thousands to watch the match together in a communal setting.
As one fan put it: “We want to be together.”
