**Schools Close Early as Tensions Rise Before Villa Match** Several schools in Birmingham will close early on Thursday, November 6, ahead of the highly anticipated Europa League match between Aston Villa and Maccabi Tel Aviv. The match, set to take place at Villa Park, has been classified as 'high-risk' by police due to expected protests and a ban on away supporters. The decision to close schools comes amid heightened tensions surrounding the fixture. Police have indicated that around five protest groups, representing both pro-Palestinian and pro-Israeli factions, are expected to demonstrate before the match. To ensure safety, approximately 700 police officers will be deployed around the stadium. Mansfield Green E-ACT Primary Academy, located just over half a mile from Villa Park, will close at 2pm, an hour and 15 minutes earlier than usual. The school informed parents via a message stating, "Good morning, due to the Villa match tomorrow November 6th, the school will be closing early. The gates will be open for you to collect your children at 2pm. Thank you." Similarly, BOA Creative, Digital and Performing Arts Academy will close at 1.15pm. The principal communicated to parents that several local schools would be closing early due to the planned protests. The school’s social media confirmed that a scheduled online presentation has been postponed to November 13. Former Labour MP, Lord Ian Austin, expressed his disapproval of the early closures on social media, stating, "Local politicians and community leaders should be doing everything they can to improve education in areas like Aston and Lozells. Not inflaming tensions and calling for boycotts, bans and protests that result in schools being closed early. What a disgrace." A representative from E-ACT Mansfield Green Academy explained, "Following advice from the local authority regarding possible congestion and local disruption, E-ACT Mansfield Green Academy will close 1 hour 15 minutes early on Thursday, 6 November. Our top priority is the safety and wellbeing of all pupils. Other schools in the area are taking similar precautions, and we thank parents and carers for their understanding." The match has drawn significant attention due to the controversial decision to ban away fans, which has sparked outrage among supporters. The Villa Safety Advisory Group cited safety concerns from previous incidents involving Maccabi fans as the reason for the ban. As the match approaches, police are preparing for a large-scale operation, including multiple ticket checks and a significant presence at nearby train stations. The atmosphere is expected to be tense, with fears of potential violence impacting attendance. Aston Villa has announced that tickets will only be sold to fans with a history of attending matches, leaving the away enclosure empty. The situation reflects broader tensions surrounding the match, with local leaders and community members divided over the implications of the protests and the safety measures in place.