Travel advice issued to Aston Villa fans heading to Wembley for FA Cup semi-final

Villa face Crystal Palace at Wembley in the FA Cup semi-final on Saturday, April 26.

Chiltern Railways has issued a travel warning that rail travel is expected to be very busy on the day and there will be limited rail services in operation from London towards Birmingham post-match due to the late afternoon kick off time of 5.15pm.

There will be even fewer services heading back to the West Midlands if the match goes into extra time and penalties.

Fans heading back to the West Midlands are strongly advised to return on Sunday 27 April as there will be more choice of return travel.

Operators in the region are also reminding customers to check their journeys, plan ahead and purchase tickets in advance of travelling.

For Aston Villa supporters travelling to the match by rail:

• Chiltern Railways will operate direct services from Warwick Parkway to Wembley Stadium
• Avanti West Coast and London Northwestern Railway will operate services from Birmingham New Street to London Euston, where supporters can get onward travel to Wembley

Chiltern Railways’ services to Wembley Stadium will start at Warwick Parkway, calling at Leamington Spa and Banbury. No Chiltern train services will be in operation from Birmingham Moor Street, Solihull, Dorridge, Hatton, Lapworth or Warwick. Free parking will be available at Warwick Parkway, Leamington Spa and Banbury throughout the day.

The same routes will be available for Aston Villa supporters heading back to the West Midlands for their return journeys, however services will be limited due to the match finishing in the evening.

Lucy Wootton, Head of the Grand Railway Collaboration, which represents the rail industry in the region, said:“It is great for the region to have another West Midlands team playing at Wembley this season but I would like to remind Aston Villa supporters that rail travel to and from the match will be extremely busy.

“The kick off time of 5.15pm means that there will be limited rail services after the match for supporters returning to the West Midlands. Please plan your trip in advance of travelling and you may want to consider extending your stay into the following day.”