Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Heroes Discussion => Topic started by: chrisw1 on February 15, 2023, 11:35:25 AM
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<Not sure if this is being discussed elsewhere?>
Have people seen the Holte End survey?
Rather than aiming at general improvements they seemed to be more interested in people paying premium prices for GA+ or premium tickets.
Would you pay a premium for wifi? posher seats? better food? exclusive lounge? - all that sort of rubbish.
They did touch on rail seating, but the genaeral thrust was pretty transparent.
I already pay £650 for a season ticket. No I don't want to pay extra, just give me the basic facilities any customer paying that sort of money should be able to to expect. Start with the simple stuff - the ability to buy a pint and decent food without a 10 minute wait, sell pies that aren't either cremated or still dough, have a basic level of wifi or boosted 4G signals available to all networks. After that, if you want to put some seating in the concourse area or improve the screens then great.
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Why is the phone signal and wifi so shit at Villa compared to everywhere else? I've been away to Forest, Newcastle, Arsenal, Leeds and Man City this season, and been able to stay connected somehow in all of them.
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Those surveys are a complete waste of time in my opinion, they just pay lip service (to support planning applications etc) IF they had any intention of improving facilities etc they would have been done by now. Toilets with no hot water, no paper towels, no cleaning in flow is easily solved. Lack of quality in staff and product range is easily solved. Brainless things like staff having to pour cans into plastic glasses is easily solved. If you want a world class operation then you put the people and investment into making it world class….unfortunately those with the power to enforce people to change are happily sat in the comfy seats with their restaurant & bar facilities not on their feet seeing how truly pathetic their match day operation is.
Season ticket prices will go up again this summer without doubt but i would say in the Witton Upper nothing has improved in terms of the match day experience in a decade or more…in fact it is worse as existing facilities age.
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Those surveys are a complete waste of time in my opinion, they just pay lip service (to support planning applications etc) IF they had any intention of improving facilities etc they would have been done by now. Toilets with no hot water, no paper towels, no cleaning in flow is easily solved. Lack of quality in staff and product range is easily solved. Brainless things like staff having to pour cans into plastic glasses is easily solved. If you want a world class operation then you put the people and investment into making it world class….unfortunately those with the power to enforce people to change are happily sat in the comfy seats with their restaurant & bar facilities not on their feet seeing how truly pathetic their match day operation is.
Season ticket prices will go up again this summer without doubt but i would say in the Witton Upper nothing has improved in terms of the match day experience in a decade or more…in fact it is worse as existing facilities age.
The Witton upper is an absolute joke. But with the limited space there you kind of know what you're going to get. Whenever I've sat there I've never bothered even trying to get a pint, it's just not worth it. Unless they increase the space by removing some of the hospitality tier, I'm not sure there's a huge amount they can do?
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Those surveys are a complete waste of time in my opinion, they just pay lip service (to support planning applications etc) IF they had any intention of improving facilities etc they would have been done by now. Toilets with no hot water, no paper towels, no cleaning in flow is easily solved. Lack of quality in staff and product range is easily solved. Brainless things like staff having to pour cans into plastic glasses is easily solved. If you want a world class operation then you put the people and investment into making it world class….unfortunately those with the power to enforce people to change are happily sat in the comfy seats with their restaurant & bar facilities not on their feet seeing how truly pathetic their match day operation is.
Season ticket prices will go up again this summer without doubt but i would say in the Witton Upper nothing has improved in terms of the match day experience in a decade or more…in fact it is worse as existing facilities age.
I’m already looking forward to the next club around the world, beginning with the letter ‘V’ that we’ll buy a stake in.
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At a guess I would say they're looking at a way of getting some sort of corporate-lite into the lower - padded seats, separate lounge, that sort of thing.
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At a guess I would say they're looking at a way of getting some sort of corporate-lite into the lower - padded seats, separate lounge, that sort of thing.
Which sounds like an absolutely horrendous idea. Do they really want to suck the soul out of the stadium? There will be plenty of additional corporate in the Trinity and North. Surely there's no need to ruin the Holte?
The obvious solution for the Holte is to convert the whole Lower to rail seating as most stand there anyway and just smarten up the facilities a bit.
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Do a majority of supporters in this country want to get to the ground hours early to enjoy facilities in or directly outside the stadium? I think there’s a huge cultural gap to bridge because supporters like to meet up in pubs away from the ground or just arrive and go to the game. It’ll take some doing and something special to entice people away from decades of habitual behaviour to get them to spend their cash in fan zones or inside the ground hours before a game.
Can’t knock them for trying another revenue stream but I can’t see it becoming a major earner anytime soon.
As for padded seats and wining and dining in the Holte End, not only would their be major objections from the fans but as someone has already said, it would suck the atmosphere out of the entire ground.
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Yep, ideally the Club will smarten up the Holte End and maybe do all they can to raise its capacity to make it the number one "home" end in football again. Concourses etc would need to be modified and modernised, along with refreshment opportunities but, as others are saying, the stand itself shouldn't be touched by extreme commercialism. My dream would be more mosaics, more stained glass and a Ron Saunders statue to greet fans as they walk up to Villa Park - if the Club wants more lounges, GA+ etc that would need to come in an all new Witton Lane stand or maybe a smaller "Villa Live" venue on the Holte End car park?
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Yep, ideally the Club will smarten up the Holte End and maybe do all they can to raise its capacity to make it the number one "home" end in football again. Concourses etc would need to be modified and modernised, along with refreshment opportunities but, as others are saying, the stand itself shouldn't be touched by extreme commercialism. My dream would be more mosaics, more stained glass and a Ron Saunders statue to greet fans as they walk up to Villa Park - if the Club wants more lounges, GA+ etc that would need to come in an all new Witton Lane stand or maybe a smaller "Villa Live" venue on the Holte End car park?
100% yes to a statue of Saunders and another to celebrate the greatest night in our history. We’ve missed opportunities for decades to celebrate this and also to show the respect to a man who should be remembered forever.
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Why is the phone signal and wifi so shit at Villa compared to everywhere else? I've been away to Forest, Newcastle, Arsenal, Leeds and Man City this season, and been able to stay connected somehow in all of them.
Yes it's rubbish and there is no real excuse as they have been 'working' on it for ages, and we know about catering and crammed concourses.
Even if people want a basic experience off the pitch, I think the stadium facilities are falling behind what a minimum level should be nowadays, particularly as a Premier League game is very expensive and it's branded as a 'premium' event.
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Why is the phone signal and wifi so shit at Villa compared to everywhere else? I've been away to Forest, Newcastle, Arsenal, Leeds and Man City this season, and been able to stay connected somehow in all of them.
Yes it's rubbish and there is no real excuse as they have been 'working' on it for ages, and we know about catering and crammed concourses.
Even if people want a basic experience off the pitch, I think the stadium facilities are falling behind what a minimum level should be nowadays, particularly as a Premier League game is very expensive and it's branded as a 'premium' event.
Agreed. When you go to the likes of Spurs, Arsenal or Man City for example, you realise just how crap the facilities mostly are at Villa Park. Lovely historic ground maybe, but crap to get to, crap to get away from, no decent pubs or restaurants in the immediate area and rubbish service once you're inside the ground.
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Do a majority of supporters in this country want to get to the ground hours early to enjoy facilities in or directly outside the stadium? I think there’s a huge cultural gap to bridge because supporters like to meet up in pubs away from the ground or just arrive and go to the game. It’ll take some doing and something special to entice people away from decades of habitual behaviour to get them to spend their cash in fan zones or inside the ground hours before a game.
Can’t knock them for trying another revenue stream but I can’t see it becoming a major earner anytime soon.
As for padded seats and wining and dining in the Holte End, not only would their be major objections from the fans but as someone has already said, it would suck the atmosphere out of the entire ground.
I think there is a balance, and there are a significant number of people who probably would come to the ground earlier if there is more on offer, especially families. The fan zone outside the Trinity is always busy before games, as is the family fun zone in the old Stumps building. This year we have started using the Holte Suite more before games, and been in the 1874 Lounge a couple of times using the reward points - they all do a decent enough job, but could be improved.
The club are barking up the wrong tree though if they want to upgrade the Holte End in this way - one thing Spurs got right in their new ground was keeping the one end as the focal point for the 'traditional' support. Yes to rail seating and better food/drink for the fans that go there, but any kind of corporate facilities should go elsewhere.
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Do a majority of supporters in this country want to get to the ground hours early to enjoy facilities in or directly outside the stadium? I think there’s a huge cultural gap to bridge because supporters like to meet up in pubs away from the ground or just arrive and go to the game. It’ll take some doing and something special to entice people away from decades of habitual behaviour to get them to spend their cash in fan zones or inside the ground hours before a game.
Can’t knock them for trying another revenue stream but I can’t see it becoming a major earner anytime soon.
As for padded seats and wining and dining in the Holte End, not only would their be major objections from the fans but as someone has already said, it would suck the atmosphere out of the entire ground.
I think there is a balance, and there are a significant number of people who probably would come to the ground earlier if there is more on offer, especially families. The fan zone outside the Trinity is always busy before games, as is the family fun zone in the old Stumps building. This year we have started using the Holte Suite more before games, and been in the 1874 Lounge a couple of times using the reward points - they all do a decent enough job, but could be improved.
The club are barking up the wrong tree though if they want to upgrade the Holte End in this way - one thing Spurs got right in their new ground was keeping the one end as the focal point for the 'traditional' support. Yes to rail seating and better food/drink for the fans that go there, but any kind of corporate facilities should go elsewhere.
I’d agree with the families but I just think it’s a long way off for a lot of others. I’ve used the Holte Suite as well on and off, mostly midweek, but it’s decent enough. It’s that culture in this country that I think they’ll always struggle with, as will all clubs. They’d also struggle with the weather outside the ground apart from a few months of the season.
Can’t knock them for trying though.
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Why is the phone signal and wifi so shit at Villa compared to everywhere else? I've been away to Forest, Newcastle, Arsenal, Leeds and Man City this season, and been able to stay connected somehow in all of them.
Yes it's rubbish and there is no real excuse as they have been 'working' on it for ages, and we know about catering and crammed concourses.
Even if people want a basic experience off the pitch, I think the stadium facilities are falling behind what a minimum level should be nowadays, particularly as a Premier League game is very expensive and it's branded as a 'premium' event.
Agreed. When you go to the likes of Spurs, Arsenal or Man City for example, you realise just how crap the facilities mostly are at Villa Park. Lovely historic ground maybe, but crap to get to, crap to get away from, no decent pubs or restaurants in the immediate area and rubbish service once you're inside the ground.
Yes, different generations of our family has been going for years, and whilst we love the historic nature of the stadium, we don't appreciate the facilities and you are spot on. I know those grounds you mention are modern and so have an advantage, but at a base level, everything about the 'off-pitch' experience is generally better, down to the club shop, marketing, and even little things like a slicker and more up to date pre-match and half-time presentation etc. Also, by modernising they have elevated the surrounding area as well. Hopefully the new stadium improvements will help, but we have a long way still to go.
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What's GA+?
Just Googled it and it came up with this..
https://lasvegas.electricdaisycarnival.com/tickets/ga-plus/
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I know I'm pretty well in a minority of one when it comes to this but I'd have knocked the whole thing down and rebuilt something decent elsewhere.
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I know I'm pretty well in a minority of one when it comes to this but I'd have knocked the whole thing down and rebuilt something decent elsewhere.
I don't think Everton fans will regret their move, a fantastic stadium right on the Mersey and right next to the City centre - it will be fantastic. However, for us it would invariably have meant the NEC and I can't think of anything more souless than a modern bowl on the M42.
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I know I'm pretty well in a minority of one when it comes to this but I'd have knocked the whole thing down and rebuilt something decent elsewhere.
I don't think Everton fans will regret their move, a fantastic stadium right on the Mersey and right next to the City centre - it will be fantastic. However, for us it would invariably have meant the NEC and I can't think of anything more souless than a modern bowl on the M42.
It didn't have to be the NEC. For years Everton were talking about something just off the M57 and East Lancs in Kirkby, before finding somewhere just out of the city centre on the banks of the Mersey. If they can do that, constrained as they are by what is effectively the sea, why couldn't Villa? Even when the new North Stand is built, the Witton will still be a cheaply built, dated, cramped piece of shit, and the facilities in the Trinity and Holte will still mostly be poor. All of the usual problems of traffic and access, will if anything be worse.
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I know I'm pretty well in a minority of one when it comes to this but I'd have knocked the whole thing down and rebuilt something decent elsewhere.
I don't think Everton fans will regret their move, a fantastic stadium right on the Mersey and right next to the City centre - it will be fantastic. However, for us it would invariably have meant the NEC and I can't think of anything more souless than a modern bowl on the M42.
I bet they will, when they're languishing in the Championship without a pot to piss in.
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For old fuddie duddies I think we like the traditional part of the game, but with a younger generation with children it's changed over the years, like the local pubs it's more family orientated with a few exceptions, Herbert's Yard in Longbridge, too me is overpriced especially the food, but I was surprised how full it is especially weekends, well organised and plenty of comfortable seating,
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I know I'm pretty well in a minority of one when it comes to this but I'd have knocked the whole thing down and rebuilt something decent elsewhere.
I don't think Everton fans will regret their move, a fantastic stadium right on the Mersey and right next to the City centre - it will be fantastic. However, for us it would invariably have meant the NEC and I can't think of anything more souless than a modern bowl on the M42.
It didn't have to be the NEC. For years Everton were talking about something just off the M57 and East Lancs in Kirkby, before finding somewhere just out of the city centre on the banks of the Mersey. If they can do that, constrained as they are by what is effectively the sea, why couldn't Villa? Even when the new North Stand is built, the Witton will still be a cheaply built, dated, cramped piece of shit, and the facilities in the Trinity and Holte will still mostly be poor. All of the usual problems of traffic and access, will if anything be worse.
It may be sacrilege to say it's time to move, but equally cobbling together improvements here and there and hope it all works would be short-sighted.
If there is a will (and money obviously), proper renewal can be achieved, either on site or somewhere else, whilst maintaining and enhancing the club's heritage as well.
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I know I'm pretty well in a minority of one when it comes to this but I'd have knocked the whole thing down and rebuilt something decent elsewhere.
I don't think Everton fans will regret their move, a fantastic stadium right on the Mersey and right next to the City centre - it will be fantastic. However, for us it would invariably have meant the NEC and I can't think of anything more souless than a modern bowl on the M42.
It didn't have to be the NEC. For years Everton were talking about something just off the M57 and East Lancs in Kirkby, before finding somewhere just out of the city centre on the banks of the Mersey. If they can do that, constrained as they are by what is effectively the sea, why couldn't Villa? Even when the new North Stand is built, the Witton will still be a cheaply built, dated, cramped piece of shit, and the facilities in the Trinity and Holte will still mostly be poor. All of the usual problems of traffic and access, will if anything be worse.
Maybe replacing/upgrading the Witton Lane stand after the North Stand is a plan they are looking at. Do that and I don’t see an issue with where we are. Aren’t the club looking at both Aston and Witton stations with a view to upgrading. I’m sure I’ve heard the club are speaking with West Midlands Railways with regards extra trains as per of the planning for the new North stand.
I don’t think I’ve been anywhere where travelling by car is easy for a game and some are a lot worse than ours. It’s easier than any ground for away fans to leave by coach and as long as the trains get sorted I don’t see an issue.
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I would have loved Smithfield, can’t really think of anywhere else except maybe the Gun Quarter, which is still more or less Aston.
I think there are good things about where we are though. The setting near the park and church is beautiful, there are two railway stations and basically the best motorway connection you could wish for within minutes of the ground.
I think if we bought local housing in an ethical manner (unlike Liverpool obvs), we could do everything we want on the current site - big new Witton Lane stand and rail seating in the Holte. That would take us to about 65k maybe?
Does anybody know how we compare in terms of acreage to other grounds we would aspire to be like?
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I'm disappointed that I wasn't able to register comments. I don't want them to gentrify the upper Holte, I want them to get the basics right.
Using the toilet, attempting to buy food or drink, is abysmal. The service, the quality, the availability are all lamentable. I have no desire to see the current supporters in the Holte diluted by the sort of folk who would want some of the possible answers to the questions.
Get the basics right, put rail seat in the lower Holte if you like, bring us out the 3rd world and make WiFi possible, allow us to buy food/drink more easily. That's what is needed, not an excuse to try and charge me more for less.
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I think the plan is for rail seating in the upper and they are exploring premium / hospitality areas in the lower. Maybe so the premium ruperts can get the 'real fan' experience whilst still enjoying comfy seats and a nice buffet at half time.
I like to think the survey response will have given them pause for thought.
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I would have loved Smithfield, can’t really think of anywhere else except maybe the Gun Quarter, which is still more or less Aston.
I think there are good things about where we are though. The setting near the park and church is beautiful, there are two railway stations and basically the best motorway connection you could wish for within minutes of the ground.
I think if we bought local housing in an ethical manner (unlike Liverpool obvs), we could do everything we want on the current site - big new Witton Lane stand and rail seating in the Holte. That would take us to about 65k maybe?
Does anybody know how we compare in terms of acreage to other grounds we would aspire to be like?
We're in the middle of a residential area so space is at a premium. Man City seemed to have acres and acres of free land outside, they could build another four grounds if the wanted to. But then the ground is an area specifically targeted when they got the Commonwealth games because there wasn't much there. Brum didn't seem to get anywhere near as good a deal.
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I would have loved Smithfield, can’t really think of anywhere else except maybe the Gun Quarter, which is still more or less Aston.
I think there are good things about where we are though. The setting near the park and church is beautiful, there are two railway stations and basically the best motorway connection you could wish for within minutes of the ground.
I think if we bought local housing in an ethical manner (unlike Liverpool obvs), we could do everything we want on the current site - big new Witton Lane stand and rail seating in the Holte. That would take us to about 65k maybe?
Does anybody know how we compare in terms of acreage to other grounds we would aspire to be like?
We're in the middle of a residential area so space is at a premium. Man City seemed to have acres and acres of free land outside, they could build another four grounds if the wanted to. But then the ground is an area specifically targeted when they got the Commonwealth games because there wasn't much there. Brum didn't seem to get anywhere near as good a deal.
Par for the course there then.
Again, I can only think of the Gun Quarter where there might be enough unused space. (I’m ruling out the NEC).
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All this premium stuff but we haven't finished in the top half of the league for over a decade. Is anyone really interested in premium fluff when you're watching a crap team of millionaires lose?
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I know I'm pretty well in a minority of one when it comes to this but I'd have knocked the whole thing down and rebuilt something decent elsewhere.
Once the Trinity was desecrated I’ve felt the same, there’s history in the site but not in the buildings that make up the stadium…& I am a traditionalist on most things
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The problem with any relocation is where exactly would a new ground go? Smithfield is a non-starter - the size of the site isn't that much bigger than where we are now, and building a stadium on it would effectively negate the whole point of the development, which is to link Digbeth and the city centre. A stadium built there would act as a barrier in pretty much the same way the Wholsesale Markets used to.
Once the North Stand is rebuilt the plans indicate there will be something of a downgrading of Witton Lane, so the road becomes more of a shared space for through traffic. By that point it probably becomes more feasible to build the stand backwards, so the facilities can be improved. Purslow said something about the eventual capacity going to 52-53k, whether that can be achieved by re-profiling the Witton Lane stand I don't know but if that is the case there needs to be significantly more room behind the stand for better facilities.
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All this premium stuff but we haven't finished in the top half of the league for over a decade. Is anyone really interested in premium fluff when you're watching a crap team of millionaires lose?
I’d rather watch us winning standing in a pool of p**s than watch us losing from a padded seat.
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All this premium stuff but we haven't finished in the top half of the league for over a decade. Is anyone really interested in premium fluff when you're watching a crap team of millionaires lose?
For a lot of Premier League customers the result is the least important part of the day.
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All this premium stuff but we haven't finished in the top half of the league for over a decade. Is anyone really interested in premium fluff when you're watching a crap team of millionaires lose?
I’d rather watch us winning standing in a pool of p**s than watch us losing from a padded seat.
What about a padded seat drenched in piss?
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All this premium stuff but we haven't finished in the top half of the league for over a decade. Is anyone really interested in premium fluff when you're watching a crap team of millionaires lose?
I’d rather watch us winning standing in a pool of p**s than watch us losing from a padded seat.
What about a padded seat drenched in piss?
I’d ask for a refund!
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For those that are interested, this is a link to the survey. You can access it with an ID even if not a ST holder (but I presume they will only count responses from valid HE ST holders)
To be honest, given this is specifically in respect of the Holte, I find the direction of travel indicated by some of the questions quite disturbing.
https://survey2.yougov.com/vmb8CMtM3dP2Ss
And for those who want to see the questions:
Question 1
When thinking about your season ticket and towards potentially renewing for the upcoming season, how strongly do you agree or disagree with each of these statements?
Strongly Agree Agree Neither Agree nor Disagree Disagree Strongly Disagree
I enjoy attending matches this season
Watching the team play next season in person is important to me
The cost of the season ticket fits within my budget
I have formed personal connections with other fans
I have had memorable moments with the team and its performance this season
The team's performance has improved recently and I am excited to see them play next season
I have a flexible schedule and will always be able to make the majority of the games
I am not able to attend many games
I am not getting value for my money out of my season ticket
The experience at the games has been less enjoyable due to poor stadium facilities
I have other priorities and spending my money on other things is more important to me
Q2
When, if at all, do you use the following areas on a matchday at Villa Park? Please select all that apply. Please select all that apply.
Pre-match Half-time Post-match I do not generally use this area Not aware of this area
Holte Pub
Trinity Fan Zone
Fun Zone (Academy building)
Holte Suite
Ramsey’s bar
Q3
You may have noticed that we have been making some changes in the Lower Holte End to improve the facilities and product offerings available to you.
Which of the following have you used since being introduced in December 2022. Please select all that apply.
Have used this facility Aware of this facility but haven’t used it Unaware of this facility
Self-serve kiosk (Immediate collection)
Self-serve kiosk (advanced order i.e. half-time drink)
Drink Command (Pour your own pint)
Frictionless Kiosk (Tap + Go Holte Bar)
Q4
How would you rate the following aspects of your matchday experience?
Very poor Poor Average Good Excellent Don’t know/ Haven’t used
Quality of food concessions
Service at food concessions
Quality of drinks
Service of drinks
Quality of connectivity/technology
Ease of access to your seat
Ease of access to Food & Beverage at half time
Cleanliness of environment
Atmosphere
Position of seat
Pre-match entertainment
Post-match entertainment
Q5
We would like to get your thoughts on the concept of a new enhanced general admission experience (GA+). If introduced in certain, limited areas, it would provide access to a more social concourse, enhanced food & drink facilities, unique experiences/entertainment and more.
To what extent are you interested in a different/unique experience, in general on a matchday at Villa Park, whether it is more premium, informal, corporate etc.? <1-5 = interested to not interested>
Q6
How interested would you be in finding out more about the GA+ ticket concept? <1-5 = interested to not interested>
Q7
How likely would you be to purchase this type of ticket if it was available?
Not at all likely Not Likely Neither Likely nor Unlikely Likely Very Likely
As part of a seasonal package
On a match-by-match basis as an upgrade to my ticket
Q8
Which of the following short summaries best describes what you want from a matchday at Villa Park?
Close to the action, quick in and out of the stadium
Social bar area, good food & drink options and a good view
Family environment, food options and entertainment
Luxury food and drink, exclusive seats, matchday entertainment
None of these
Don’t know
Q9
How important are the following with regards to your current seat?
Not important at all Unimportant Neither important nor unimportant Important Very important
A central view of the game
Being close to friends, family, the other fans you have always sat with
Being able to quickly access the concourse area
Q10
How strongly do you support or oppose the implementation of the following?
Strongly oppose Oppose Neither support nor oppose Support Strongly support
Safe standing (rail seating) where your current seat is
Safe standing (rail seating) elsewhere in the stadium
Concourse seating in the stadium
Q11
Would you move your current season ticket to a location with safe standing?
Yes, I would move my current season ticket to a location with safe standing
No, I would not move my current season ticket to a location with safe standing
Maybe, it would depend on the location and amenities offered
Q12
If concourse seating was introduced, which of the following would be your preference?
Fine dining experience with a private table for you and your guests
Casual, unreserved seating with a sports bar look and feel (e.g. Fixed benches, stools or tiered steps)
Relaxed, informal restaurant experience.
Private booths that could be reserved
Q13
Which, if any, of the following activities do you do at halftime? Please select all that apply.
Watch the halftime show or entertainment
Meet up with friends or family
Check social media or the internet
Get food or drinks from the concourse
Use the toilet facilities
Place bets on the match or other sports
Q14
Which, if any, of the following activities would you like to do at half time but are currently unlikely/unable to do due to availability, connectivity or congestion in the concourse? Please select all that apply.
Watch the halftime show or entertainment
Use the toilet facilities
Check social media or the internet
Place bets on the match or other sports
Meet up with friends or family
Get food or drinks from the concourse
Q14
If the concourse were to remain open after the match, how likely would you be to use this space?
Not at all likely Not Likely Neither Likely nor Unlikely Likely Very Likely
Weekday evening fixture
Weekend fixture
Q15
Which of the following food options would you like to see more of at the Holte End? Please select up to 3.
Street-food, independent local vendors
Buffet food
Light hand-held food
Three-course à la carte
Five course fine dining experience
Premium bar food
Q16
How interested would you be in pre-ordering/purchasing a food or drink package as an add-on either with your season ticket or for individual matches?
Not at all interested Uninterested Neither interested nor uninterested Interested Extremely Interested
With your season ticket
For individual matches
Q17
How important would the following be if you were to purchase a GA+ ticket with additional extras included?
Not important at all Unimportant Neither important nor unimportant Important Very important
Family friendly atmosphere
Live entertainment (music/DJ)
Access to premium bar and premium concourse pre-match, during and post-match
Prime location seat
Complimentary food
Walk through access to your seat
Welcome drink on arrival
Complimentary drink at halftime
Complimentary match day programme
Complimentary digital programme
VillaTV streamed in the concourse
Visits from Club legends
Concourse seating
Wi-fi access
Q18
Considering the enhancement suggestions described in the previous questions, how likely would you be to purchase a GA+ type of ticket if it was available?
Not at all likely Not Likely Neither Likely nor Unlikely Likely Very Likely
As part of a seasonal package
On a match-by-match basis as an upgrade to my ticket
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I wouldn't read too much into a lot of the questions on the survey - they will already know what answers they are going to get, it seems to me they are just using it as a justification to try to squeeze more money out of the likes of the Holte Suite and 1874 Lounge. Instead of them being walk-up or free facilities they will be added to the cost of a seat (so an extra £30 quid or so for a programme, curry/buffet and a 'free' drink). A lot of people already use them so would probably be inclined to pay a few quid extra for a guaranteed seat, Q&A with an ex-player etc. on top.
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I think it’s just a full range of questions the ‘5 course fine dining experience’ for example is a virtual piss take. You don’t get that in Trinity hospitality so I can’t imagine they are seriously considering it for The Holte.
I think it’s just part of identifying who the Holte customer is for the survey purposes, even though they already know.
That said, I can see some of the other add one being there as a choice. I can’t see enforcement of some kind of food and drinks package as part of a ST, so as long as offering a service to some, doesn’t make everyone else’s experience worse, I’m not bothered.
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I think it’s just a full range of questions the ‘5 course fine dining experience’ for example is a virtual piss take. You don’t get that in Trinity hospitality so I can’t imagine they are seriously considering it for The Holte.
That is what you get in all of the Trinity restaurants. The lounges are a bit more informal.
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I think it’s just a full range of questions the ‘5 course fine dining experience’ for example is a virtual piss take. You don’t get that in Trinity hospitality so I can’t imagine they are seriously considering it for The Holte.
I think it’s just part of identifying who the Holte customer is for the survey purposes, even though they already know.
That said, I can see some of the other add one being there as a choice. I can’t see enforcement of some kind of food and drinks package as part of a ST, so as long as offering a service to some, doesn’t make everyone else’s experience worse, I’m not bothered.
Depends if it's linked to a block of 'premium' seats Amfy. Or if it takes budget and space away from upgrading the facilities in the stand as a whole. In those cases I would be.
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Can you get a kebab at Villa Park? I haven't been a for a few years and just wondered.
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Most of the big new grounds have a 'premium' offering in at least three of the four stands, and I'm sure Villa would love to do the same. However, those are all new grounds that have been designed for such a purpose, when we've just got four traditional, stand alone stands that were mostly built with nothing other than being as cheap as possible in mind. When the club struggle to even do anything as simple as letting somebody in the Upper Trinity buy a drink at half time, it's difficult to see how they'd accommodate an improved offering in the space we currently have.
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I think it’s just a full range of questions the ‘5 course fine dining experience’ for example is a virtual piss take. You don’t get that in Trinity hospitality so I can’t imagine they are seriously considering it for The Holte.
That is what you get in all of the Trinity restaurants. The lounges are a bit more informal.
None of the ones I’ve gone in have had more than 3 courses, and that’s at about £200 a game - a 5 course dining experience just isn’t going to be a Holte End thing.
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I was going to mention Question 2. Where's Ramsey's Bar? I've never heard of it.
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Most of the big new grounds have a 'premium' offering in at least three of the four stands, and I'm sure Villa would love to do the same. However, those are all new grounds that have been designed for such a purpose, when we've just got four traditional, stand alone stands that were mostly built with nothing other than being as cheap as possible in mind. When the club struggle to even do anything as simple as letting somebody in the Upper Trinity buy a drink at half time, it's difficult to see how they'd accommodate an improved offering in the space we currently have.
The new North Stand is just the start in upgrading the whole ground. When it's built the hospitality offering in there will no doubt be up to the standards of the most modern new-builds. As part of the development they are also revamping the Trinity Road stand and extending it at the back where it will wrap around to the new stand, so fingers crossed they will be able to improve things within this additional space.
In the Holte End, the Holte Suite is okay but under-utilises the space that is available - the current reception area, for instance, could easily be a better and bigger bar. The main bar could accommodate much more seating in a bench/box park style layout instead of the current tables, and if they wanted to seriously increase floor space there is probably room to put in an extra floor over the main room. The Holte Pub is also massively under-utilised - currently they are probably only using about a third to half of the space in the building.
The big problem as always is Witton Lane - there a vague allusions to increasing the capacity on this side, but for anything to work they need to build out the back of the stand by at least 5-10 metres. It might be possible with the road realignment that will be part of the North Stand development, but they haven't given any indication yet of what might be possible.
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The big problem as always is Witton Lane - there a vague allusions to increasing the capacity on this side, but for anything to work they need to build out the back of the stand by at least 5-10 metres. It might be possible with the road realignment that will be part of the North Stand development, but they haven't given any indication yet of what might be possible.
Even if they could lose the garden area and move the road back, I suspect the next problem with be the light blocked to the houses behind.
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The big problem as always is Witton Lane - there a vague allusions to increasing the capacity on this side, but for anything to work they need to build out the back of the stand by at least 5-10 metres. It might be possible with the road realignment that will be part of the North Stand development, but they haven't given any indication yet of what might be possible.
Even if they could lose the garden area and move the road back, I suspect the next problem with be the light blocked to the houses behind.
Unless the club bought all of the houses I don't think they could make the stand any taller. They could make the concourses and hospitality areas bigger by building the stand outwards into where the road is currently, something similar was done to the NIA (or whatever it's called now) when it was revamped about 7 or 8 years ago. The images of the North Stand redevelopment certainly suggest Witton Lane is being downgraded into more of a shared space, so there may be some room available to do this in the next phase.
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The big problem as always is Witton Lane - there a vague allusions to increasing the capacity on this side, but for anything to work they need to build out the back of the stand by at least 5-10 metres. It might be possible with the road realignment that will be part of the North Stand development, but they haven't given any indication yet of what might be possible.
It looked from the initial drawings that they might be shutting Witton Lane off at one end, but if you read the detail all that's actually happening is that on a match day it'll be treated as part-pedestrianised. They're not actually changing the layout of it.
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All this premium stuff but we haven't finished in the top half of the league for over a decade....
This.
I'm more interested in being premium on the pitch