Ahead of the game, those living and working in the city near Villa Park saw shops and schools close early.
Meanwhile, Jewish Villa fan Elliot Ludvig said he was apprehensive about attending the match.
Mr Ludvig, who will be there with his son, told the BBC: “I’m apprehensive about what’s going to happen. I’m apprehensive about the potential for violence for one thing.
“I’m apprehensive about various unpleasantries that we might encounter along the way, both outside the stadium and inside the stadium.”
He said his other major emotion was “disappointment”.
“Is it worth going to a football game to potentially put myself at some sort of risk and or expose my son to to all sorts of unpleasantries which you might not want to?,” he asked.
Those who called for calm included one fan group, the Punjabi Villans, which urged people to respect each other and for everyone to get home safely, posting on social media, external: “We’re in this together. Football unites us.”