Villa Park Redevelopment

[The Edge]

This looks exactly what was being speculated about on here last month. Keeping the the existing seats intact and building around it. This is why they removed the cladding to look at how the old roof can be removed. This is why they were drilling exploratory holes behind the stand. Interestingly they're saying it will hold 12k which is 5k more than the current capacity of the NS and that takes the capacity up to 47,300. They're saying the ground will hold over 50k after the work so an extra 3k or so are going in elsewhere. Surely that can only mean work at the Holte End of the ground.

[rob_bridge]

Let the naysaying commence.

Anyone who has an issue with the proposal given the timeline can offer practical alternatives.

The good news is we are staying. Hope this is the start

[chrisw1]

So it's the same design as the drawings that were leaked a few weeks ago.

[The Edge]

In addition to adding width, it looks like they plan to bring the front of the Upper North down, eliminating at least one row of boxes or both.  This makes me wonder why not bring it all the way down to have a single 'wall'?  It could be something to do with the angle of the existing upper section.

Either way, it looks good and is much needed. I remember when it was built, a glowing reporter on TV claimed it made Villa Park "the Cathedral of Midlands football." I mean, it was always thus, but I never liked the look of it — I always thought it was too narrow, and the double row of boxes looked awful so close to the action.

It means they can keep the lower tier open while they are building - another compromise to keep as many fans in the ground as possible.

I think the roof will be removed completely because it's those massive pillars that are in the way of everything. That will enable them to keep the whole stand open during construction which is vital. There will be a period of time where it will be open to the elements like the old Witton End terracing.

[rob_bridge]

Excellent. Much better than closing the North. Imagine having had a 3 sided ground for the Champions League etc this season.

Now we continue, expand and I'll even move a couple of places closer to the front of the season ticket queue!

Me too, hopefully they won’t do a Liverpoool and use the bigger stand for GA+

Being honest I suspect a good chunk of the new allocation will be that.

[caster troy]

Great news! Pictures look great. Hopefully will be a great atmosphere in the stand, like a second Holte End competing with the away fans.

[London Villan]

You'd hope at least 50% will be for GA tickets - judging by the demand for GA+ we can't be far off saturation point for that at the moment.

[jon collett]

Great news. Though I wish they'd show us what the stand will look like inside the ground.

I think it's also strange that they haven't said what the new capacity will be, except "over 50k".  It might be that the exact details inside the ground aren't confirmed yet?

I think 50k is the key number. There may be the odd seat that needs moving etc so precise numbers may prove tricky.

Yep, I agree. I also think it might be that other changes might be happening elsewhere in the ground, so they won't announce an exact number that might never actually be reached.

Like you said, 50k+ is the important bit, even if we only clear it by a handful, it's a significant milestone, and an important one for a team that wants to fight at the top long-term.

It’s also a condition for hosting the Euros

[chrisw1]

I'd guess the whole new front section of the upper tier could be GA+  They can put in padded seats etc from the off and from the drawings it looks like they have their own new stairwell entrances in that section.

Man City haven't released new season tickets since 2019 and still aren't planning to with their new stand.  So I don't think those on the waiting list should hold their breath.

[rob_bridge]

You'd hope at least 50% will be for GA tickets - judging by the demand for GA+ we can't be far off saturation point for that at the moment.

All depends on what GA+ is on offer, many of the current offerings look pretty over priced to me. If I thought I was getting value I'd spend a bit extra on occasion. That seems to be why at saturation.

If they have let's say 3k enhanced to now GA+ offering at £120 (include drinks and food) then they may consolidate remove them elsewhere. All ifs buts and maybes.

[jon collett]

I know from personal experience it’s been possible to buy GA tickets for every single game in all competitions at Villa Park this season.

So if they try to expand the GA+ offering it will need to be attractive and compelling.

So my guess would be vast majority of seats will be GA whether season tickets or buy per match.

[paul_e]

Now it's official, I think it looks good on all the renders and reducing the impact on capacity during the season is clearly a better idea than dropping us down to 34k-ish for 18+ months.

It sounds like the station upgrade will go ahead as well (but maybe not at exactly the same time) which is great news.

It'll be interesting to see what comes after this  because if they can even out the top of the holte and expand Witton Lane you'd think we could be up around 60k but those 2 feel like massive tasks that would need a lot of support from the council, mayor and community. Hopefully the Warehouse can serve as a community space to create the goodwill we'd need.

[rob_bridge]

Sounds like there may be an interlude between stadium upgrade and station completion. Could be painful for few months at start of 2028.

[Olneythelonely]

Now it's official, I think it looks good on all the renders and reducing the impact on capacity during the season is clearly a better idea than dropping us down to 34k-ish for 18+ months.

It sounds like the station upgrade will go ahead as well (but maybe not at exactly the same time) which is great news.

It'll be interesting to see what comes after this  because if they can even out the top of the holte and expand Witton Lane you'd think we could be up around 60k but those 2 feel like massive tasks that would need a lot of support from the council, mayor and community. Hopefully the Warehouse can serve as a community space to create the goodwill we'd need.

The station upgrade is very much needed but won’t help with train capacity.

[Brend'Watkins]

I’ve read the official release a few times now and I’m still bemused by the description of the North Stand as “iconic”.  It’s not the description that first comes to mind for me.