Aston Villa v Lille Europa League: Broad Street to welcome thousands of French football fans ahead of match

More than 2,000 French football fans are heading onto Westside in Birmingham this afternoon to pick up their tickets for tonight's Aston Villa v Lille Europa League match tonight (Thursday, April 11).

Rosies on Broad Street has been selected by West Midlands Police and the football authorities as the official place for fans to collect their tickets ahead of kick off at 8pm.

The guidance for Lille fans then explains that there is a fan zone with food and drink available all afternoon at the nearby Walkabout bar on Broad Street. Lille fans have also been invited back to Popworld on Broad Street for any after-match partying.

A translation of the guidance for away fans published on Lille’s club website reads: "Before their arrival at Villa Park, the stadium of our opponents, all Lille supporters are required to report to the Rosies Club, located on Broad Street in Birmingham, on Thursday between 12 and 5pm local time.  They will be given their access tickets for the match upon presentation of a valid identity document and their voucher, no tickets being issued at the stadium."

Mike Olley, general manager of Westside BID, said: “It’s great to see French fans lining up for their tickets on Broad Street, and their presence provides a nice footfall bonus for our hospitality businesses.

“We’re also really pleased that our police partners and the football authorities recognise that Westside is a safe and welcoming place for this operation to take place.

“We have our seasoned street wardens operating in the area to provide guidance, and along with the police and other wardens at Brindleyplace we will make sure that everyone has a good experience.

“Meanwhile, good luck to Aston Villa tonight! We hope Lille fans enjoy their visit, but we all want to see a Villa victory on the field, of course!”

Leg 1 of the quarter final in the Europa Conference League between Aston Villa and Lille kicks off at Villa Park at 8pm today.