Aston Villa offer Villa Park to stage Champions League final between Man City and Chelsea

Champions League match preview: Real Madrid v Chelsea

Aston Villa have told UEFA they are free to use Villa Park for this season’s Champions League final between Man City and Chelsea, should Istanbul be unable to host the event. The occasion is currently set to take place in the Turkish capital on May 29 but travel restrictions and the country’s ongoing battle against the coronavirus pandemic could potentially cause further complications in the coming weeks, particularly when it comes to travelling fans.

It was confirmed yesterday that UEFA are planning to allocate each club with 4000 tickets for the final at the Ataturk Stadium.

The venue usually holds up to 76,000 but will only accommodate around 25,000 spectators on this occasion.

Istanbul was due to host last season’s final before the pandemic saw the Champions League knockout stages move to Lisbon in a mini-tournament format.

Fury has since erupted in the aftermath of UEFA and the Turkish authorities’ plans to host the match in front of thousands.

JUST IN: Jose Mourinho struck Roma deal in secret meeting just days after Tottenham sacking

The Champions League final between Chelsea and Man City could be played at Villa Park (Image: GETTY)

According to Sky Sports, Aston Villa are on hand to provide an alternative solution.

They have reportedly told UEFA that they are ready to step up and host the event if required.

Given that both teams in the final are English, it’s understood that this would be a far safer and simpler operation.

UEFA’s statement confirmed yesterday that the plan is to go ahead with the final in Istanbul despite the current lockdown in the city.

DON’T MISSArsenal begin Maurizio Sarri talks with ‘Mikel Arteta expected to leave at end of season’ – REPORTSLionel Messi: Barcelona make ’10-year contract offer’ that includes stint with other clubJose Mourinho struck Roma deal in secret meeting just days after Tottenham sacking

“The UEFA Champions League final will take place in Istanbul on May 29 with a limited number of spectators and we are assured the temporary lockdown which is in force until May 17 should not have any impact on the match,” it read.

“UEFA continues to work closely with the Turkish Football Federation and the local and national authorities to stage the match safely.

“Detailed information regarding the capacity for the match, travel and ticketing details will be communicated publicly by the end of the week.”

City were the first of the two sides to book their place in the final when they successfully dispatched Paris Saint-Germain 2-0 (4-1 on aggregate) on Tuesday night.

Villa Park is ready to host the Champions League final (Image: GETTY)

UEFA still plan to stage the Champions League final in Istanbul, Turkey (Image: GETTY)

Chelsea then follow suit by beating Real Madrid 2-0 (3-1 on aggregate) last night at Stamford Bridge.

It will be the second all-English Champions League final in three years after Liverpool beat Tottenham 2-0 in the 2019 showpiece.

First City have a Premier League title to win and they could wrap things up on Saturday when coincidentally, they host Chelsea.

Both sides will want to win the psychological battle ahead of the final at the end of the month.

Chelsea will then turn attention towards next weekend’s FA Cup final when they face Leicester at Wembley as Thomas Tuchel eyes his first trophy at Chelsea.