Home HomeSwedenLivingWorld world_2_fill WorldBusiness BusinessSports sports-soccer SportsEntertainmentEntertain

Fans furious ahead of historic match: "Exploited"

After 41 years, Aston Villa is back in the top tier of European football. But ahead of the first home match in the Champions League, a conflict has erupted where supporters feel exploited by the club.

» Updated: 08 October 2024, 24:40

» Published: 01 October 2024

Fans furious ahead of historic match: "Exploited"
Photo: Peter Klaunzer/AP/TT

Classic Aston Villa was the big sensation in the Premier League last season. Under the leadership of successful coach Unai Emery, the team finished fourth – which means playing in the Champions League this season.

The last time the club played in the tournament – which was then called the European Cup – was 1982–1983. After a flying start in the premiere, a 3–0 away win against Young Boys, the first home match is waiting on Wednesday, against German giant Bayern München.

But the match has become the subject of a larger discussion. Namely, what is reasonable for a football ticket to cost. For Villa supporters who want to see the match on site, it will be significantly more expensive than a league match.

"Get punished and exploited"

Adults without a season ticket will have to pay up to 97 pounds (approximately 1,313 Swedish kronor) while for season ticket holders it is slightly cheaper.

For those who pay 55 pounds (approximately 744 kronor) for a Premier League match, the ticket now costs 85, reports BBC.

The price increase has led to outrage. Aston Villa's supporter organization believes it is "extremely disappointing" that the club has chosen to raise prices ahead of the long-awaited comeback.

In a statement, the organization writes, according to The Guardian:

"Loyal Villa fans who have waited as long as 40 years to celebrate this significant season get punished and exploited."

Defending the price increase

Aston Villa defends its decision. Chris Heck, chairman of the club's business operations, tells BBC:

We recognize and understand the fans' great passion and their frustration around pricing. Achieving our sporting ambitions while following the rules for financial stability requires tough decisions.

The supporters, in any case, have a special match ahead of them. Bayern München is an opponent that has a special place in Aston Villa's history. It was Bayern that Villa defeated in the final of the European Cup 1981–1982 – the club's greatest achievement in history.

Aston Villa's other home matches in the Champions League this season are against Bologna, Juventus, and Celtic.

Tuesday: Salzburg–Brest, Stuttgart–Sparta Prague (both 18.45), Inter–Red Star, Dortmund–Celtic, Barcelona–Young Boys, Leverkusen–Milan, Arsenal–Paris SG, PSV Eindhoven–Sporting Lisbon, Slovan Bratislava–Manchester City (all 21.00).

Wednesday: Shakhtar Donetsk–Atalanta, Girona–Feyenoord (both 18.45), Liverpool–Bologna, Leipzig–Juventus, Benfica–Atlético Madrid, Dinamo Zagreb–Monaco, Lille–Real Madrid, Aston Villa–Bayern München, Sturm Graz–Club Brugge (all 21.00).

Tags
TTT
By TTThis article has been altered and translated by Sweden Herald

More news

Mings' brain fade - Club Brugge won on penalties
1 MIN READ

Mings' brain fade - Club Brugge won on penalties

No Breakthrough – Women's Crown Fell to Czech Republic
2 MIN READ

No Breakthrough – Women's Crown Fell to Czech Republic

Malmö fell in Istanbul – third defeat in Europe
2 MIN READ

Malmö fell in Istanbul – third defeat in Europe

McIlroy: Trump may be able to unite golf
1 MIN READ

McIlroy: Trump may be able to unite golf

Källberg's Giant Upset – Crushed the World Number One
2 MIN READ

Källberg's Giant Upset – Crushed the World Number One

Källberg's giant upset – crushed the world number one
1 MIN READ

Källberg's giant upset – crushed the world number one

Own goal not investigated as suspected match-fixing
1 MIN READ

Own goal not investigated as suspected match-fixing

The Back Icon Leaves AIK: "An Incredible Journey"
2 MIN READ

The Back Icon Leaves AIK: "An Incredible Journey"

Tomasson on Gyökeres: "He's a bulldozer"
3 MIN READ

Tomasson on Gyökeres: "He's a bulldozer"

City forced to pay millions to star
1 MIN READ

City forced to pay millions to star

Elanga blasts: "Football is brutal"
3 MIN READ

Elanga blasts: "Football is brutal"

The Talent Chooses Turkey Over Sweden
1 MIN READ

The Talent Chooses Turkey Over Sweden

The Star on Sorrow: "One of My Biggest Supporters"
3 MIN READ

The Star on Sorrow: "One of My Biggest Supporters"

Signell axes icons: "Must think about the future"
1 MIN READ

Signell axes icons: "Must think about the future"

Finnish F1 star gets the cold shoulder from Sauber
1 MIN READ

Finnish F1 star gets the cold shoulder from Sauber

The Gold Coach Fired: "Don't Care About the Supporters"
2 MIN READ

The Gold Coach Fired: "Don't Care About the Supporters"

Nasty injury in NHL – got puck on the neck
2 MIN READ

Nasty injury in NHL – got puck on the neck

First NHL goal for Sundqvist after severe injury
1 MIN READ

First NHL goal for Sundqvist after severe injury

The Dream Come True: "Wanted to be a Boy"
3 MIN READ

The Dream Come True: "Wanted to be a Boy"

Hat-trick by Gyökeres – crazy turnaround by Sporting
2 MIN READ

Hat-trick by Gyökeres – crazy turnaround by Sporting