Overview
- West Midlands Police confirmed a deployment of more than 700 officers with mounted, dog and drone units for Thursday’s Europa League match at Villa Park.
- Section 60 stop-and-search powers will run from midday Thursday until 3am Friday, the force announced.
- A drone restriction covers a one‑nautical‑mile radius around Villa Park from 2pm to 11:59pm, making unauthorized flights a criminal offense.
- Protests are planned, including a Palestine Solidarity Campaign assembly at 6pm at Aston Park Pavilion, and a police briefing indicated preparations for up to five protest groups with possible counter-demonstrations.
- Local disruption is expected with road delays and multiple ticket checks on approaches to the stadium, some nearby schools closing early, and the away end remaining empty after a SAG ban that Maccabi also declined to challenge by taking tickets.