‘I follow Aston Villa home and away – now they’ve banned me from European away days’
Aston Villa have continued to strain their relationship with fans through a series of bizarre decisions in recent years.
Owen Kelly is a regular on the terraces at Villa Park and beyond, having attended every domestic and European away game this season.
He is also a season ticket holder in the lower Holte End, something which he has held since 2018 when the Villans were in the Championship.
His love for the claret and blue came from attending games as a child with his dad, uncles and grandparents, something which has followed into his adult life.
Kelly now travels home and away following Villa, but that has now come under threat after the club decided to single him out and take a divisive action.
Aston Villa issue European away ban after social media spot
The battle to pick up away tickets, especially to travel to the continent, has always been fierce, but with the right references behind you, it is possible to get to every match.
That has been the case for Kelly in recent years as he has only missed three European away days since Unai Emery’s side qualified for the Conference League in 2023.
He has carried that into the current campaign, having attended every Europa League away game so far.
Travels to watch clashes at Feyenoord, Basel and Fenerbahce were met with victory, while a loss in Deventer against Go Ahead Eagles was one that will swiftly be forgotten.
All of these contributed to Villa qualifying for the round of 16, with a two-legged clash against Lille in the pipeline.
As he has all season, Kelly was quick to pick up a ticket and was looking forward to Villa’s second trip to face the Ligue 1 side in as many years.
That has been ripped away from him after Villa served him a ban order for Lille and any further European away games this campaign.
But what is the reason?
Kelly reposted an Instagram story from someone else selling their ticket for the clash in northern France, which has seemingly been picked up by someone at the club.
Despite initial protests, the Villans have so far remained firm on their verdict, but there is hope that this will change.
Aston Villa European ban seems hugely unfair
Handing out a ban on attending European away days because someone else is selling their ticket has not gone down well on social media.
The wider Villa Park fan base has been left furious by the decision and feels it is yet another showing that the club are happy to freeze out loyal fans when they get the chance.
This ban for Kelly has caused a particular stir, given that he has provided proof of his flights, airport transfers, and hotel booking to show he isn’t selling his ticket.
Villa’s response to his complaint reads: “Whether the ticket advertised was your personal ticket or not, the action still constitutes touting via an unauthorised third-party website and therefore represents a breach of our ticketing terms and conditions.”
That certainly seems unfair, but Kelly still hopes the ban will be reversed, given his long-standing record as a match-going supporter.
The ticket being sold wasn’t his, and even if sharing it was, in his own words, “probably a silly decision”, it still isn’t an example of so-called “touting” in his opinion.
Whatever happens next, Aston Villa have already left a sour taste in fans’ mouths again, something which seems to be becoming an increasingly regular occurrence.
Aston Villa have been approached for a comment.
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