Exploring Europe - Villa fans in Istanbul

BBC Radio WM's Mike Taylor has been catching up with Aston Villa fans in Istanbul before Thursday's Europa League fixture against Fenerbahce.

Villa fan James explained he thinks some "excessive" rules have been put in place with regard to how supporters can attend the game, with mandatory bus transport taking place by 15:00 locally, when the fixture will not kick-off until 20:45 in Istanbul.

In theory, fans will be in the ground hours before Villa's players warm up, let alone kick off.

Fans have been told items such as coins, battery power banks and portable chargers, cameras, vapes and lighters will probably be confiscated on entering the stadium.

Supporter James said he thinks the list of rules and timings is "excessive" and is curious about how fans will entertain themselves when in the ground so early, with an inability to charge phones being an issue.

"I've been to all of them since getting into Europe a couple of years ago for the Conference League," he told BBC Radio WM. "I thought it would be one season, then we got Champions League. It's become a routine now.

"We looked really tired against Everton. I think Emery will prioritise the Newcastle game, which I think he should. We are more or less there in this tournament so even if we lose it's not the end of the world. I don't think he'll pick a strong team. I'll go draw 1-1."

Supporter Callum added: "I've only missed four or five since we qualified for the Conference League. I've always gone to the usual places for holiday but places like Istanbul, Bosnia, it's places I wouldn't have thought to go. I go and really like them."

Access pre-match discussion from 1730 BST and full commentary on BBC Radio WM (not available online)