England World Cup qualifier means busier trains to Villa Park

Villa Park will host England v Andorra this weekend meaning busier trains and stations on Saturday (6 September).

The World Cup qualifier, which kicks-off at 5pm, will bring thousands of football fans into Birmingham. Trains and stations serving Villa Park are expected to be packed with fans from Saturday afternoon onwards, especially in the build up to the game and immediately afterwards.

Fans are being encouraged to use both Aston and Witton stations, to help make getting to and from the match as simple as possible.

All passengers are being advised to plan ahead, check before they travel, and allow extra time to make their journeys.

Extra staff will be on hand at Birmingham New Street, and West Midlands Railways has added two additional services to Witton station before and after the match, to help provide better journeys for passengers.

Elizabeth Graham, Network Rail’s Birmingham New Street station manager, said: “We’re excited that Villa Park has been chosen for England’s next fixture on the road to the 2026 World Cup. With such a big match taking place, we are expecting the station and trains to be really busy on Saturday afternoon onwards. We want everyone to get safely to and from the match so it’s important to plan ahead and allow extra time. Our staff are here to help, so please treat them with respect if you are in the station and need their help at any point.”

Jonny Wiseman, customer experience director at West Midlands Railway, said: “Trains to Aston and Witton will be busier than usual this Saturday afternoon due to the England versus Andorra match at Villa Park. We are reminding passengers heading to the game that Aston and Witton stations are both a short walk from the stadium, so please consider both routes when planning your journey and check before you travel.”

Passengers can plan their journey and check before they travel at www.nationalrail.co.uk .