Aston Villa fans are hoping to continue their European adventure for many years to come under Unai Emery, but some trips around the continent bring about more challenges than others.

A recent study from Level Playing Field highlighted some key issues which disabled fans face when following their club abroad. The charity, which offers support around disabled spectator access, has recently called on football's decision-makers to take urgent action on the standards of access and inclusion for away fans in Europe.

A key issue raised by wheelchair users is about the placement of accessible seating in many stadiums in Europe. Villa fan Jude Aston, who has travelled to all but one of the club's eight European fixtures since the start of last season, admits it's an issue which ultimately takes away from his experience.

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"The main problem for me for the European games, and it's something I've never really understood, as a wheelchair a lot of the time you'll be put in the home end," Jude explained. "Lots of stadiums in Europe don't have a section for away fans who are wheelchair users in the away section.

"I do find that frustrating because you travel all that way and then you're put in the home fans. You still get to see the game and enjoy that, but you're not in and among the Villa fans. Sometimes it just takes a little bit away.

"Last season we had a 4-1 victory at Alkmaar, but we were on the opposite side of the stadium. I wanted to be in there and singing along with them. That's the biggest frustration and challenge for me."

A total of 232 disabled supporters responded to a Level Playing Field survey earlier this year, which raised concerns over accessibility and inclusion at grounds in Europe as 79% of wheelchair users said they'd been required to sit in sections alongside home fans.

"This is a worrying statistic, as it represents a significant safety concern," read the Level Playing Field report. "The risks should not be ignored when it comes to positioning disabled supporters, particularly since over a quarter of disabled fans have identified 'the attitudes of others' as a barrier to attending."

"At times it can be a bit strange to be in that environment," Jude continued. "You don't want to make too much of a thing that you're a Villa fan, but ultimately that's why you are there. A stadium like Ajax, with all the infrastructure they've got and we are in with the home fans."

In response, UEFA said they are committed to strengthening inclusivity and accessibility at stadiums across Europe, not just in matches organised by them.

Placement of accessible seating isn't the only concern some disabled fans have when following their club in Europe as you are unable to take your own wheelchair into the passenger cabin of a plane and it will be stored in the hold.

"It's something which makes me really nervous on a flight abroad," Jude admitted. "I prefer the Eurostar because as a wheelchair user taking the plane, you hand it over to them and you can't do anything about it.

"I go into the assistance lounge in the airport and they take me through security and the wheelchair to the gate. I then go into an ambilift to get on the plane. There's been so many times when my wheelchair has been damaged. When I went to Amsterdam, they took my wheelchair apart and left me and my carer Harvey to put it back together.

"Harvey is my personal assistant and he goes to all of the games with me. He's a big Villa fan as well. He's the one who really supports me when I'm with my wheelchair in the airport and he folds it down for me. He supports me on the Villa trips and we have a good relationship. The disabled fans need a personal assistant and it's really important to make sure we can enjoy the trips.

"When I went to Dortmund, my electric controller got lost, so I had to be pushed a lot of the time. It's a problem with disabled access in general. The air industry hasn't got the same level of provision compared to other travel industries, such as trains. You should be able to go onto the aircraft with your wheelchair.

"I was surprised by the standard of the facilities at Brugge, ranging from the state of the disabled toilets to where you were seated. I think some disabled fans had to come down from the top tier to the wheelchair area because it was that busy, they were getting uncomfortable.

"We understand the stadium is old and there's only so much you can do to its design, but it was basic things like the disabled toilet not being clean."

Despite the challenges Jude has faced when travelling across the continent to follow his beloved Villa, he - like every other supporter - is creating memories which will last a lifetime.

"It hasn't put me off because I've been through it so many times that I've put some provisions in place, such as bubble-wrapping the whole of my chair and putting fragile tape around it," he said. "That's from learning experience. The first time I travelled as a wheelchair user on a plane was Alkmaar away and it got broken. That taught me the hard way. From then on I have been as careful as I can be. It's part and parcel unfortunately.

"The way I look at it is that I want to enjoy Villa and have those experiences. Yes it can be frustrating and never-racking with the flying situation, but I don't want that to put me off not having those experiences.

"I have a group of people who I go with, I met them in Europe and now we are very good friends. Most the time we travel with them and just about spending time with those people. One thing which I really enjoy from the travelling is the people you meet. I've made friends for life following Villa over the last year. Those relationships and connections you make are really important to me.

"I've become very good friends with Joanne McKibbens, the head of the Villa disabled supporters' association, she is very supportive and is very good at raising the issues which we have had. She champions us and represents Villa fans very well."

Jude added: "Alongside Jo, Anthony Richards is at Villa and he is amazing. He is really good at his job and speaking with the fans. There have been times where he would message me, for example when I was in Mostar, he'd send me the stadium layout for me, showing where the wheelchair bays are.

"He is really proactive with his communication and I always know that in the back of my mind, if anything goes wrong or if I need support, Anthony is the man I go to because I trust him and I know he will get it done. They have been amazing experiences.

"It's important to increase the awareness of disabled supporters and speak about the journey they go on because each person's journey is different. We all find a way to still enjoy ourselves and enjoy following Villa. Villa, compared to other clubs, have a very strong disabled community."