West Midlands Police have confirmed that 21 individuals were arrested during the Champions League match between Celtic and Aston Villa on Wednesday, January 29. Of those detained, 19 were identified as supporters of the Scottish club. The arrests stemmed from a range of offences, including violent disorder, assaults, possession of Class-A drugs, the use of pyrotechnics within the stadium, and the holding of fraudulent tickets.
The match took place at Villa Park, the home ground of Aston Villa, situated in Birmingham. In the aftermath, police officials described their security measures as "extensive." A spokesperson for the force stated, "The police operation was extensive, and we had a large visible presence during the day and night to ensure visitors to our city were kept safe." This operation involved a comprehensive array of resources, including police horses, dogs, and personnel from various departments, alongside the deployment of drones, traffic officers, and motorcyclists. The police also worked closely with officers from Police Scotland’s football unit and representatives from Aston Villa Football Club.
Despite the incidents, West Midlands Police expressed gratitude towards the majority of fans who contributed to what they termed an "enjoyable occasion." They noted that the atmosphere was "fantastic" both in the city centre and at the stadium, highlighting the positive aspects of the event.
On the pitch, Celtic faced a challenging defeat, succumbing to a 4-2 loss against the Premier League side. Aston Villa made a strong start, with Morgan Rogers scoring two quick goals within the first five minutes. Although Celtic managed to equalise with two rapid strikes from Adam Idah in the 36th and 38th minutes, Villa regained control in the second half, sealing the match with two additional goals.
Superintendent Jack Hadley, who oversaw the policing efforts, commented on the event, stating, "Last night we welcomed Celtic fans to Birmingham for the Champions League game against Aston Villa. It was really great to have such a large number of visitors to our city." He emphasised the extensive policing measures in place, which included public order officers, motorbikes, and the return of police horses, noting their effectiveness in engaging with the community.
Hadley further remarked, "We've met some great people and had some really good engagements with people who have come and said hello to us. We’ve had a number of arrests for offences across the city, but overall we're really pleased with how last night has gone. We look forward to meeting more football fans visiting our city in the near future."
This incident highlights the challenges associated with managing large football events, underscoring the ongoing necessity for effective safety measures to protect all attendees. It serves as a reminder of the complexities involved in balancing fan engagement with public safety at major sporting occasions.