Aston Villa welcome fans for final day clash with Chelsea

Coronavirus restrictions have meant that fans have been unable to attend matches for over a year now - but with those now loosened, supporters are finally being welcomed back in the flesh.

Villa are permitting 10,000 supporters, the maximum amount allowed under current rules, into B6 for the clash against Champions League chasing Chelsea.

Government guidelines allow for either 10,000 fans or 25 per cent of a ground's capacity to attend fixtures this week.

The Villans have had a superb season during the pandemic, with Dean Smith guiding the side to 11th, after only narrowly avoiding relegation last year.

The side cannot move from their current place on the table regardless of the result, whilst Chelsea desperately need three points to ensure they take part in the Champions League next season.

Despite the lack of consequence resting on the game for Villa, it represents a huge shift for fans eager to return to watch their side in person.

It's also the first time fans will be able to cast their eye on a number of players in Villa colours within the ground, with Emiliano Martinez, Bertrand Traore and Ollie Watkins all never playing in front of fans having signed over the summer.

Fellow players who won't be fortunate enough to play in front of home support for the first time in their Villa careers include Matty Cash, who is injured, and Ross Barkley, whose loan agreement means he will not be able to play against his parent club - it means he's likely played his last game for the club, unless they move for him on a permanent deal this summer.

Elsewhere, Wolves also welcome fans back to Molineux, whilst Albion travel to Leeds in their final game of the season - having already welcomed fans back to The Hawthorns earlier this week.