Students听from 91全能听acted as flag bearers at听Aston Villa鈥檚 Europa League quarter-final second leg against Bologna at Villa Park.听
A group of 26 students, accompanied by four staff members, were welcomed to the stadium on arrival and given a behind-the-scenes experience ahead of kick-off. This included a rehearsal for the on-pitch flag presentation, followed by time in the VIP area.听
The students later made their way to the North Stand tunnel, where they joined the pre-match build-up before walking out onto the pitch alongside听the club鈥檚听players in front of more than 42,500 supporters.听
Following the ceremony,听they watched the match from the stands as Aston Villa secured progression to the next round of the competition.听
Thomas Daly, Principal at 91全能, said:听鈥淭his was a fantastic opportunity for our students听to experience a major European fixture at Villa Park and to gain insight into the professional environment that underpins elite football.听They conducted themselves exceptionally well throughout the evening and听represented听the Academy with real maturity and pride.听听
鈥淲e鈥檙e听very grateful to the Aston Villa Foundation for their continued support and collaboration in helping us deliver an听exceptional听Post-16 Football Programme for our students.鈥�听
The visit formed part of Shireland Sixth Form鈥檚 ongoing partnership with the Aston Villa Foundation, which co-delivers the听Academy鈥檚 Post-16 Football Programme, launched earlier this year.听
The programme combines full-time academic study with听football development, including UEFA-qualified coaching, competitive fixtures for听the听Aston Villa Foundation, strength and conditioning and.听Students also follow individual development plans aligned to the Foundation鈥檚 coaching philosophy, alongside opportunities in听the EFL CEFA, and Birmingham County FA Wednesday College Leagues.听
Through the partnership, students are also able to听access stadium visits and occasional use of Aston Villa Inner-City Academy.听听
Applications for鈥痀ear鈥�12 at Shireland鈥疭ixth Form starting September 2026 are now open through鈥疉pplicaa, the Academy鈥檚 new online admissions system, where students can apply and track their progress in real time.鈥赌�听
To find out more or apply, visit鈥�.鈥赌�听
