Security concerns have prompted a request from the West Midlands police that Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters not attend Aston Villa's Europa League game next month. It means that there will be no away fans in attendance at Villa Park when the pair meet in the competition at the start of November. Villa have made an impressive start to their European campaign, winning both matches so far.
AFPPolice have advised Premier League side to ban away fans
And Villa will look to maintain their winning start to the Europa League when they take on Go Ahead Eagles in the Netherlands in a week's time before they return home to take on Maccabi Tel Aviv. The Israeli side have failed to win both matches in the competition so far as they drew with PAOK before falling to a home defeat to Dinamo Zagreb.
Only 120 Maccabi fans travelled to PAOK last month amid heavy police protection and pro-Palestine protests taking place outside of the stadium, while protests were also held when Israel played Norway and Italy in their World Cup qualifier defeats over the October international break.
UEFA will implement a ban on fans on advice from local authorities, who have told Birmingham's Safety Advisory Group that it would be wise to ensure no away supporters are in attendance for the match on November 6th.
AdvertisementIsraeli foreign minister slams 'shameful decision'
The decision to ban Maccabi Tel Aviv fans has enraged Israeli foreign minister Gideon Sa'ar with a diplomatic threatening to overshadow the Europa League tie. "Shameful decision! I call on the UK authorities to reverse this coward decision!" Sa'ar said via Rob Harris on X.
The Campaign against Antisemitism, meanwhile, added: "Another alarming sign of how British authorities are failing to ensure that Jews can participate safely & equally in public life … instead of confronting the antisemitic hatred … what does that say about the state of policing & public order?"
It's unlikely, though, that Israel will be banned from UEFA competition anytime soon. The recent ceasefire agreed in Gaza means that plans to suspend Israel from UEFA competition have been put on hold. The vote was going to be put forward after it was revealed that a number of teams had asked Europe's governing body if they could avoid playing Israeli opposition.
Getty Images SportVilla game marred by fan violence
Villa are also keen to avoid further fan violence after supporters of the Midlands side were attacked while in Rotterdam for their Europa League clash against Feyenoord last month. Dutch reports suggested that five people had been arrested following the incident, which took place outside of an Irish pub.
Feyenoord fans also reportedly set off fireworks outside of the Villa team hotel in a bid to hinder the Premier League side's chances of securing all the spoils at De Kuip. Even so, goals from Emiliano Buendia and John McGinn saw the Villans claim all the spoils in a 2-0 win.
The Dutch side have struggled in the Europa League this season, following up their 1-0 loss to Braga on matchday one with defeat to Villa and they'll hope to secure a first league phase win when they face Panathinaikos next week.
Unai Emery's side building momentum
After a rocky start to the season as they failed to win their opening six games in all competitions, Villa look to have turned a corner having won their fourth successive game prior to the international break. A Donyell Malen brace saw Villa claim all the spoils in a 2-1 win over Burnley last weekend and they'll hope to follow up that victory with another three points when they face Tottenham on Sunday.
And striker Ollie Watkins is expected to lead the charge for Villa in the capital this weekend. Watkins, deputising for Harry Kane on the frontline, was forced off at the break in England's 3-0 win over Wales last week having collided with the post towards the end of the first half and while he tried to carry on, the Villa striker was withdrawn for Marcus Rashford for the second half.
Watkins then sat out the 5-0 win in Latvia having been sent home early following the injury he sustained against the Dragons. "Instead of scoring, he injured himself unfortunately," Tuchel said of Watkins earlier this week.
"It was such a big chance, an easy second goal for him. He was unlucky to hit the goalpost. It was very painful for him still and it's just not possible for him to train and also not to play. So, we sent him home."
Tuchel then added that the striker would "try to make it for the weekend" which was a boost to Villa as they look to make it five wins on the spins ahead of their return to European duties.
