UPDATE: Aston Villa matches to be streamed online

Update:

Aston Villa have made a partial announcement.

Aston Villa will deliver full-match live coverage to our international fanbase during season 2017/18.

The club intends to offer our overseas fans the opportunity to watch the team live both on a season-long and match-by-match basis.

We are investigating the best options for bringing this to life.

We are clearly eager to provide the best live experience possible.

Also be aware that we will be unable to screen every game live as several will be televised domestically.

As part of this, we welcome your feedback on what streaming services you’d be interested in for the coming season and what channels and devices you’d prefer to view it on.

Please CLICK HERE to take the survey.

So yes to streaming. Question marks on price and streaming service. So fill out the survey — and we will see what comes of it.

Original Report:

It looks like one of the major frustrations of following a non-Premier League Team is going to be fixed — but only for those fans outside the UK & Ireland.

The EFL unveiled a new streaming platform — iFollow — which will allow for match streaming — up to 46 live matches per club.

Here are the details

• Price tag: £110 per season (142$, 130€)
• UK/Ireland fans will have access to live audio commentary
• Teams have to opt into the iFollow service (EFL says “vast majority” have done so — and if a club does not -- they can provide fans access through own digital service)
• Streaming starts in 2017/2018 season

Please let it function better than AVTV.

You can read the whole press release here.

Well drat. Looks like Villa are not part of the “vast majority”. Keep in mind this doesn’t necessarily mean matches won’t be streamed — it means it won’t be done through iFollow. AVTV seems like the likely destination... which has had its fair share of issues.

BBC: (Hat tip to commenter Schmizzy) “Currently, 61 of 72 EFL clubs have signed up to the EFL Digital platform. However, the EFL says that 11 clubs still have the provision to offer the streaming through their own digital providers including Aston Villa, Bristol City, Queens Park Rangers and Accrington Stanley.”

We have followed up with the club for more details. Stay tuned for updates.