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The Aston Villa Protest Group are continuing with their 'Banners Out on 74' demonstration at the match against Chelsea at Villa Park next weekend.

Here's a quick guide to why they are staging the protest in the televised Premier League fixture, which kicks off at 12.45pm on Saturday, April 2.

Details are taken from the group's latest public statement.

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What Aston Villa say

Paul Owens, Deputy Safety and Security Manager wrote to the group explaining: "For home supporters there are no obvious areas for banners to be displayed. Please consult with us in advance prior to bringing any banner to the stadium so we can approve its use.

"We would always ask that fans be mindful of the match day experience of other Villa fans when considering the use of banners. We would also ask that banners focus on support for the Villa.

"For away supporters, regrettably, we have nowhere suitable for flags or banners to be hung during your visit.

"Obscene chanting is confronted and if required persons can be ejected, however the logistics of stopping large numbers of persons is not always possible. All policies can be found on the club web site."

See a steward wrestle with fans over banner

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Clubs term and conditions

Ticket terms and conditions also state that a person must not be in “the possession of a banner or flag that bears material or slogans that are offensive, obscene, abusive or racist”.

What the Aston Villa Protest Group say

"So although you hang a large banner at your own risk, and frankly it is up to the club to communicate clearly to you what they class as a “banner”, there is also nothing in the club rules to prevent you from holding up a t-shirt, a placard, an A4 piece of paper, a tea towel, a sock, indeed anything you feel is viable displayed with a message that you feel it is necessary to deliver.

"There is only a recommendation rather than a demand from the club that you please consult with them first and that you are mindful of other supporters when displaying your message.

"We are imploring you all to do just that, Banners Out On 74, April 2nd Vs Chelsea. A vivid and visceral display both in response to the overzealous stewarding that has added a darkness to the already dreary atmosphere at Villa Park, and also for the cameras. To leave the world in no doubt how angry and disaffected we truly are.

"So ask around you on the 74th minute on April 2nd, ask your fellow supporter if they mind you displaying your message of discontent. Whilst we continue to engage in peaceful protest the club have no right to impose their draconian heavy handedness upon us. Stand firm with your fellow Villan. If we do not make this stand now, today, where next?

"This is Villa Park, not North Korea. We must not allow ourselves to be silenced or our message to be controlled. Because nothing strengthens authority so much as silence."