December strikes: which Aston Villa and Birmingham City games will be affected by rail strikes?

As Christmas approaches, so do travelling plans for the festive season. But as on previous weekends throughout the year, the holidays will see rail strikes that will affect service in Birmingham and West Midlands.

The RMT hhas announced that they will walk out on 48-hour industrial action on four dates in December, including over Christmas. This means that travel on these dates and the days following will be heavily impacted.

Industrial action will take place on December 13-14, 16-17 and from December 24 to 27.

Anyone planning to travel by train have therefore been advised to arrange their travel plans well in advance as there will be limited or no service in and around Birmingham on those dates as well as disruption on surrounding dates.

How will football fans be affected by the strikes?

With the Championship season still going ahead while the World Cup is taking place, both Birmingham City and West Brom fans will be affected by the rail strikes this December.

The Premier League resumes on Boxing Day with both Aston Villa and Wolves playing on the day.

Fans planning to get trains on these days will need to plan their journeys well in advance as limited or no services will be running from December 13-14, 16-17 and from December 24 to 27.

Here are the fixtures taking place on those dates.

Birmingham City

Birmingham v Reading - 16 December

Blues take on Reading at St Andrew’s on Friday, 16 December. The game is an 8pm kick-off meaning fans travelling into Birmingham may need to find alternative ways to get to the ground.

Burnley v Birmingham - 27 December

John Eustace’s men then take on Burnley at Turf Moor after Christmas on December 27. Many Blues fans will have been hoping to get the train to Lancashire but will need to plan their journey well in advance with the strikes set to take place on that date.

West Brom

West Brom v Rotherham - 17 December

West Brom take on Rotherham on Saturday, 17 December at the Hawthorns. Strikes will be taking place on this day, so fans are advised to plan their journeys well in advance.

Coventry City v West Brom - 26 December

Baggies fans will also be making the short trip to the Ricoh Arena on Boxing Day to take on Coventry. Rail strikes will be taking place on this day and fans will have to plan their journey well in advance as limited services will be running.

Aston Villa

Aston Villa v Liverpool - 26 December

The Premier League will return on Boxing Day and Villa’s first game after the World Cup will be against Liverpool at Villa Park on December 26. Fans hoping to get the train into Birmingham or Witton will have to plan their journey in advance.

Everton v Wolves - 26 December

Everton take on Wolves at Goodison Park on Boxing Day. Any Wolves making the trip up to Merseyside won’t be able to get the train into Liverpool and will need to find alternative travel on the day.