A screenshot reads: Steve Bishop Went to the VILLA versus MACABI game last night, fully prepared for an evening of harassment and disruption. Walked to the ground from the station, around the ground, and into the ground at 7.00pm and saw NO protestors. Same after the game. I did see several hundred police in full riot gear all chatting in groups and saying cheery "Hello's" to all and sundry., I saw several military drones (the size of small aircraft) flying low overhead with searchlights scanning the fans. My son who came up from Chelmsford and parked a mile away, walked to the ground from the opposite direction from me and saw NO protestors, but also large numbers of police. Other fans in the ground spoke of similar experiences. After the game, the return journey to the station was the same. However, today I see the media coverage about the HUGE protests and the hundreds of angry mobs hurling insults at each other, with the Police struggling to keep them apart. The reality it seems, was that approximately 20 to 30 protestors from each opposing faction gathered in a park opposite the ground, waved a few banners around and shouted a bit before the police dispersed them, making 12 arrests. That is less arrests than on a Friday night at pub closing time. I don't know what might have happened if the away fans were allowed to come, or if the police had not been in full force. BUT I do know that the press coverage of what actually happened is SENSATIONAL CRAP and nothing like the truth. Shame on the British Press and media.

A screenshot from a Villa fan who was at the game last night.

As was my husband and good friends. It mirrors their experience and pretty much every fan who went.

Stop with the sensationalism.

#VillaPark #VillaVersusMacabi #AstonVilla