WANDERERS hope Saturday’s crowd at the Macron Stadium can hit the 20,000-mark for the first time this season.

More than 4,000 Aston Villa supporters are due to travel to the North West for the televised clash, which kicks-off at 5.30pm.

Ticket sales have also been brisk among home fans, with signs pointing to it being the biggest home gate of the season so far, eclipsing the 19,857 who watched the 3-2 defeat against Leeds United on the opening day in August.

If the estimations are correct, it could be only the fifth time Wanderers have got 20,000 for a Championship game since dropping out of the Premier League.

The previous occasions were Leeds United and Sheffield Wednesday in 2012, Blackpool in 2013 and Blackburn Rovers in 2014.

Wanderers also topped 20,000 on two occasions during their promotion run in League One last season, against Chesterfield and Peterborough United.

The bumper crowd will also be good news for five local charities who were selected by the Bolton Wanderers Community Trust at the start of the season.

The match has been designated the official community fixture, in association with Bolton at Home.

Five pounds from each ticket sold in the Carrs Pasties North Stand will go directly to good causes: Derian House, the Zak Vali Foundation, Daytrippers Bolton, Urban Shift and the Joshua Wilson Brain Tumour Charity.

There will be a special half-time parade involving all the groups and individuals who have worked with the BWCT to help support the local community over the course of the year.