Aston Villa will continue to show their support for No Room For Racism at our Premier League fixture against Chelsea and Barclays WSL match against West Ham United this weekend.
All Premier League matches between October 8-16 will be dedicated to No Room For Racism, as the League and clubs highlight their ongoing commitment to tackling discrimination and promoting equality, diversity and inclusion.
Players will take the knee ahead of kick-off before all 20 fixtures to show their unity against all forms of racism.
Villa did so for Monday's Premier League clash against Nottingham Forest at The City Ground and will do so again at Villa Park on Sunday, while Aston Villa Women will do likewise at their home fixture on Saturday.
All Premier League matches will display No Room For Racism messaging, as the League and clubs demonstrate racism will not be tolerated and continue to call on fans to challenge and report discriminatory behaviour wherever they see it.
To further support education and promote the importance of being an ally, current Premier League players are visiting schools to see how No Room For Racism educational resources are being used to inspire learning and encourage discussion.
Aston Villa captain John McGinn and midfielder Jacob Ramsey visited Lozells Primary School in Birmingham last week to take part in a workshop centred around the campaign.
Working with Aston Villa Foundation staff, Year 6 pupils took part in discussions and activities around topics of taking the knee, Black Lives Matter and anti-racism.
McGinn and Ramsey joined the workshop, assisting pupils with their activities and taking part in a Q&A.
Danielle Beckett, Schools Co-ordinator for the Foundation, said: “The No Room for Racism Event allowed us to positively impact and inspire a group of children from a school local to Villa Park.
“Having players at the event opened opportunities for powerful discussions about a topic that is relevant both in schools and in football.”
Aston Villa's first-team squad received Equality, Diversity and Inclusion training by the PFA on Friday afternoon, while the Foundation's Primary Stars department will also be delivering an awareness session to over 50 local schoolchildren next week.
Ahead of Sunday's Premier League encounter against Chelsea, the Trinity Fan Zone at Villa Park will host supporters' group Villans Together at 12noon for a Q&A on the No Room For Racism campaign and Black History Month.
The Foundation are also running an Under-16 mixed Premier League Kicks tournament celebrating Black History Month and running workshops educating those present on black pioneers and entrepreneurs in society
It takes place in the Academy building at Villa Park between 12-3.30pm, with the Kicks department also raising awareness of the club's text reporting line.
Matchday reporting
If you witness discriminatory behaviour at a match or around a stadium, please report it to the police or a steward.
Supporters at Villa Park can discreetly text REPORT to 60060 along with the location of the incident and details of what you have witnessed.
The text line also includes the reporting of any safeguarding concerns.
The text service will be supported by our security team and West Midlands Police. Each text costs one standard message at your network rate. The club may share your details with West Midlands Police if further information is required to assist with a criminal prosecution.
Do your bit to ensure Villa Park is a welcoming place for all.
