A recent police report ahead of Aston Villa’s Europa League match against Maccabi Tel Aviv reveals that the longstanding issue of Villa hooliganism has significantly declined. The internal assessment, produced for the Birmingham Safety Advisory Group, notes that so-called Villa Hardcore and Villa Youth—the two groups historically linked to violent behavior—have largely faded from prominence.
The report highlights that Aston Villa supporters have had “very few arrests” throughout the season at both Premier League and European matches, home and away. There have been “no significant issues” reported in European fixtures recently. Though Villa’s fan groups could still mobilize up to 70 individuals for high-profile games, there have been no major incidents of violence or disorder in years.
In general, Villa fans engage positively with visiting supporters and police, with occasional issues mainly stemming from alcohol consumption during late kick-offs, such as the match on November 6, which kicked off at 8 p.m. The report also acknowledged the presence of an established Jewish supporter base known as the Aston Villa Jewish Villans. Authorities noted a potential risk of anti-Israel chanting, possession of Palestine flags, and antisemitic hate crime but classified these as low risk overall.
In contrast, the report describes Maccabi Tel Aviv’s fans as a “high risk” group due to their large, fervent ultras contingent—potentially numbering in the hundreds—with some members having recent involvement in violence and ties to the Israeli Defence Force. This elevated risk led police to consider hosting the match behind closed doors to maintain order and impartiality.
Ultimately, police advised against a blanket ban on all fans or just Villa fans, deeming such measures unfair given Villa supporters’ clean record in recent times. Instead, banning Maccabi’s fans was recommended to significantly reduce tension and limit serious disorder during the fixture.
This police intelligence shaped the controversial decision to bar Maccabi fans from attending the match on November 6. Despite pushback from politicians and Jewish groups who raised concerns about antisemitism, the ban stood after review. On match day, a large security presence of approximately 700 officers managed several flare-ups and hostile chants, resulting in 11 arrests, but no major violence or damage occurred.
Historically, Villa Hardcore, active since the 1990s, replaced earlier hooligan groups associated with the club. Known for violent clashes—including the infamous 2002 Battle of Rocky Lane with Birmingham City fans and a brawl with Chelsea’s Headhunters in 2004—the group suffered considerable law enforcement crackdowns in the early 2000s. Many senior members faced prison and football banning orders, pushing organized hooliganism further to the edge of extinction. The Villa Youth, considered a younger branch of this group, have also seen their influence wane.
While isolated incidents of violence still happen sporadically, the combination of improved policing, stadium security, and ticketing systems has rendered large-scale organized hooliganism largely a thing of the past in English football.