Aston Villa's Europa League campaign has gone very well so far this season, and they are now just one win away from guaranteeing themselves a spot in the round of 16.
Next up for the Villains is a trip to Istanbul for a match against Fenerbahce. For some Aston Villa fans, this is a bucket list trip, given the aura that surrounds a trip to this part of the world for football matches.
Fenerbahce fans are considered some of the loudest in world football, and their ultras are fearsome, to say the least.
If you are an Aston Villa fan heading over to Istanbul for the match, here is everything you need to know.
How many Aston Villa fans are going to the Sukru Saracoglu Stadium
The Sukru Saracoglu Stadium is of a decent size, with a capacity of 50,530, so there should be a decent Liverpool presence inside the stadium on matchday. Fenerbahce have given Villa an allocation of 1,859 tickets for the match, and these are all expected to sell out.
To be eligible for a ticket in the away end, you have to be, at a minimum, a season ticket holder at Villa Park. You will also need to have attended other European away matches to be guaranteed a ticket.
It's not exactly cheap to get to Istanbul, so it isn't anticipated that many Aston Villa fans will travel over without tickets.
Where will Aston Villa fans sit at the Sukru Saracoglu Stadium?
The away end at the Sukru Saracoglu Stadium is on the left-hand side of the Kuzey Stand behind one of the goals.
The away section wraps around the corner but doesn't quite reach the Maraon Stand. It spans both tiers of the stadium, with fans in the upper tier entering via blocks F, G and H and fans in the lower tier entering through blocks N, O and P.
Aston Villa fans are being urged to get to the ground earlier than usual to avoid any trouble at the turnstiles with local authorities and opposition supporters.
Full fans' matchday guide for Fenerbahce vs Aston Villa
Where to eat & drink for Aston Villa fans in Istanbul
A trip to Istanbul for football isn't as hostile as it once was, and most places are now welcoming to English supporters, provided you are respectful. The majority of travelling Aston Villa fans know the score when travelling abroad to watch their team, so there should be no issues in this regard.
Some of the best places to eat and drink in Istanbul for football fans include:
- Corner Irish Pub – Asmalı Mescit Meşrutiyet Cd. No:11/A Galatasaray, 34430 Beyoglu/Istanbul
- Red River Pub – Hoca Paşa, Hudavendigar Cd. No:44, 34110 Fatih/Istanbul
- Ritim Roof – Huseyinağa, Sahne Sk. No:20, 34435 Beyoglu/İstanbul, Türkiye
How to get to the Sukru Saracoglu Stadium: Guide for Aston Villa fans in Istanbul
Located on the Asian side of Istanbul, there are a couple of ways to get to the Sukru Saracoglu Stadium. Its location on the banks of the Bosphorus means that a ferry is probably the coolest way to get there. From the western side of the city, board at Eminonu or Besiktas and disembark at Kadikoy. The stadium is just a 15-minute walk away from here.