More than 700 police officers have been deployed across Birmingham ahead of a Europa League football match between Aston Villa and Maccabi Tel Aviv, with Israeli fans barred from attending due to safety concerns. The decision to keep the away end of Villa Park vacant follows local safety advice and the Israeli club's refusal to accept tickets, despite earlier government efforts to reverse the ban. Protests by both pro-Palestinian and pro-Israeli groups are scheduled near the stadium, with heightened security measures in place and some local schools closing early to avoid disruption. The match has been classified as 'high risk' by police, referencing previous violent incidents at similar fixtures, but the atmosphere in Birmingham remained calm ahead of kickoff. Aston Villa has urged fans to refrain from displaying political symbols during the game, as tensions around the event reflect broader concerns about racism and community safety in the area.