Aston Villa (a)  Saturday 19th April 5.30pm

These are the train options from York/Leeds (italics means a change is involved):

York	0945		1044		1144		1244						Witton	1923		1934	1938		1953
Leeds	1011		1111		1211		1311						Aston	1927	1932			1942	1957
Wakefield	1023		1123		1223		1323						New Street  a	1934	1940	1942	1945	1950	2004
Sheffield	1056		1156		1256		1356						New Street  d					2003	2103	2210
New Street  a	1206		1306		1404		1505						Sheffield					2119	2221	2335
New Street  d	1216	1230	1316	1330	1416	1430	1516	1530	1644	1649	1700		Wakefield					2147	2311
Aston	1223	1237	1323	1337	1423	1437	1523	1637			1707		Leeds					2203	2326
Witton		1240		1340		1440		1540	1652	1656	1710		York					2235	0012

 
There are a lot more services to Aston from New Street (six an hour) than to Witton (two an hour). It's around a 15 minute walk from Aston to the ground, and 5 from Witton. There are some
additional services (included above) to/from Witton before and after the game on match days.
  
These are some fare options from Leeds (as at 12/04):

£54.20	Off-Peak Returns Leeds-Sheffield, Sheffield-Derby, Derby-Witton
£82.20	Off-Peak Return

 
From York:

£63	Off-Peak Day Returns York-Sheffield, Sheffield-Derby, Derby-Witton
£86.80	Off-Peak Return

 
And from Sheffield:

£39*	Off-Peak Returns Sheffield-Derby, Derby-Witton
£61.30	Off-Peak Return

 * Over 60s can save a couple of quid by using a Derbyshire Wayfarer for Sheffield-Derby
 
From Huddersfield it can be quicker and/or cheaper to go via Manchester.
 
Notes:
1. Use new.trainsplit.com to find the cheapest deals available by splitting your journey; don't buy tickets from them though, use www.tpexpress.co.uk or www.lner.co.uk.
2. Railcard holders get one third off the above prices.

If driving down then there's street parking around the ground, although not as much as there used to be now that residents only parking has been introduced in the around the Witton roundabout. If you park anywhere near the ground you'll probably find that it takes you absolutely ages to get away after the game. You might therefore want to consider parking somewhere around Lichfield Road (ie near Aston station). Even though it's a bit of a hike from the ground, you should get home much earlier.

Pubs
There are hardly any pubs anywhere near the ground, and even fewer that allow away fans in. The Witton Arms, which is split between home and away fans, charges three quid to get in, and once in it might take forever to get served, and they don't have cask ales. A better bet is the Yew Tree, which should be ok, although it again doesn't have cask ales, and which apparently now charges two quid entry. In any case, the best pub anywhere near the ground is the award winning Oakham Ales pub the Bartons Arms. It is though a 20 minute walk away. As well as an excellent range of beer, they also do Thai food. A further option is the Arthur Robertson, a Wetherspoons pub near to Perry Barr stadium. Again, you're talking about best part of a 20 minute walk from the ground. Somewhere else to consider is the Beaufort Arms, where you're able to leave your car. It's nowhere near the ground, but it's right by Hamstead station, which is only 5 minutes journey time to Witton.  
 
For anyone going down by train the best bet is to stay in the city centre and get a train or taxi to the ground late on. There are quite a few decent pubs in the city centre nowadays. Nearest to the station is the Shakespeare. However, you can expect it to be busy, and there'll probably be a police presence. Much better is the Wellington, roughly half-way between New Street and Snow Street (for West Brom) stations. This place is an absolute gem, having no less than 16 hand-pulled beers on at any one time, as well as a good selection of foreign beers. The only slight drawback is that it doesn't do food; however, they provide plates and cutlery for anyone who wants to consume their own food on the premises. Just down the hill from the Wellington is the Briar Rose, a Spoons outlet, and also the Sun On The Hill.
 
Pub map
City centre pub map
Ground guide