Aston Villa answer ticket price question if they make next round of Champions League

Aston Villa say they 'hope not to' increase the price of tickets for matches in the knock-out rounds of the Champions League provided they advance through the group stages of the competition. Villa are back in Europe's premier competition for the first time in over 40 years and have won their first two games, while they welcome Bologna to Villa Park tonight.

The first eight of the newly formatted competition proceed straight to the last 16, while the clubs who make up spots 9-24 will advance to another round and face each other for a place in the last 16. Villa, who were seeded in the group 4, the lowest pot, in the draw, have already toppled group 1 side Bayern Munich and group 3 outfit Young Boys ahead of an all group 4 clash with Bologna.

With Club Brugge, Celtic, RB Leipzig and Juventus to come, Villa can certainly be optimistic of their chances of making it through to at least the next round which involves the top 24 sides qualifying - those who finish in places 25-36 immediately exit Europe. As a part of the new format, there is no dropping into the Europa League for sides who are knocked out.

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The cost of tickets has been a hot topic at Villa on the back of the qualifying for the Champions League. Supporters had to pay the thick end of £100 - if not a season ticket holder - to attend the Bayern game, which proved to be one of the most memorable evenings in Villa's recent history, but they'll do so again for Bologna, Juve and Celtic in the coming days, weeks and months.

When put to the club, who confirmed the pricing strategy would remain the same for all four group stage home matches, by the Fan Advisory Board about whether prices would be raised in the next round provided Villa made it through - for example, if Real Madrid were in town - Villa replied [as per the minutes of the meeting from My Old Man Said]: "We hope not to increase prices should we progress through the group stage. "

The FAB added that, based on conversations that took place at the meeting, they anticipate another price increase for tickets should a side such as Madrid be drawn against Villa in the next round, although this was unconfirmed by the club.

What is the most you'd pay for a Champions League ticket? Tell us HERE

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