UEFA urged to intervene amid Aston Villa ticket prices controversy vs Bologna
UEFA have been told to step in after Aston Villa set increased ticket prices for their upcoming clash with Bologna.
The Villans are set to return to Europa League action on Thursday with a trip to Renato Dall’Ara Stadium for the first leg of the quarter-final.
An away day in Italy will make way for a B6 return a week later, as Villa Park will play host to the Red and Blues for the third time in two seasons.
It looks unlikely to be in front of a capacity crowd in the Midlands after entry prices were increased from the round of 16.
Villa have priced many fans out of the Bologna second leg, and now UEFA have been urged to do something about it.
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UEFA told to help Aston Villa fans with Bologna ticket prices
The claret and blue outfit has become synonymous with massive ticket prices that compete with some of the highest in the Premier League.
That was the case in the Champions League last season and has since followed into the latest round of the Europa League against Bologna.
| Prices | 1888 Seat | Price Zone 1 | Price Zone 2 | Price Zone 3 | Price Zone 4 | Wheelchair Bays |
| Adult | £77 (£67) | £77 (£67) | £71 (£61) | £67 (£57) | £65 (£55) | £65 (£55) |
| Over 66 / Under 21 | £77 (£67) | £77 (£67) | £60 (£55) | £58 (£53) | £54 (£49) | £54 (£49) |
| Armed Forces | £77 (£67) | £77 (£67) | £63 (£58) | £60 (£55) | £56 (£51) | £56 (£51) |
| Under 18 | £77 (£67) | £77 (£67) | £25 (£20) | £25 (£20) | £25 (£20) | £25 (£20) |
| Under 14 | £77 (£67) | £77 (£67) | £25 (£20) | £25 (£20) | £25 (£20) | £25 (£20) |
Under-18 and under-14 supporters in Price Zones 2, 3, 4 and wheelchair bays are the only areas avoiding a price increase, while everyone else will pay around £10 more than the Lille clash.
That is massive for the average supporter, with a ticket price in the region of £70 being sky high, even if it is a European quarter-final.
The announcement hasn’t gone down well with former Villa scout Bryan King, who hopes UEFA can reach out and set limits to stop fans from being exploited like this.
Speaking exclusively to Villa News, King said: “The further you go in the Europa League, the more money you earn from UEFA.
“Because of that, I don’t think Villa are concerned about putting bums on seats in these games.
“People are interested, but it’s all about the ticket prices, and the cost of living is so high.
“There aren’t many families who can afford it now.
“This is the sort of thing Villa should be looking into, but they aren’t.
“UEFA should be looking at setting limits to help the people coming through the turnstiles because it’s those people who keep clubs going.
“Villa will be paid nicely from UEFA and from TV companies, so having some empty seats won’t be a loss for them.
“I can’t see a few thousand missing being a worry for Villa because that loss will be covered.
“The Europa League should be a thank you to fans as far as I’m concerned and should be cheap for kids and pensioners and affordable for adults to make it enticing to go to.”
Villa were slammed for the Bologna ticket prices, but don’t seem to care how they come across as they continue to fleece supporters.
How much have Aston Villa fans paid for Europa League tickets this season?
Let’s say you aren’t a season ticket holder and you want to watch every Europa League game this season and sit in Price Zone One for each game.
How much would that set you back?
Well, Villa played four league phase games at Villa Park and could end up playing three in the knockout stages if they reach the semi-final.
Each of the initial four games were priced at £67, the same as the round of 16 tie with Lille, while the Bologna outing comes in at £77.
If the potential semi-final is priced the same, Villa fans could have spent £489 just on Europa League fixtures this season.
That is a crazy sum of money for the average person, especially to watch some pretty drab games, even if it is European football.
Supporters are being priced out of their own club, and yet they have the cheek to whinge about the atmosphere in B6. Laughable.
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