What is the future of Villa Park?

[Simba]

If safe standing becomes possible - Lower Holte definitely. Fans would behave knowing it had a chance to be permanent. It would kick off badly in the Lower North. Anyway, the noise should come from the Holte. I hope it happens.

[Handsworth Wood Villa]

[The Man With A Stick]

Looks as though Wulvz are turning the custard bowl into something of similar size, I was quite surprised by the size of their new stand.

It'll look daft when they're entertaining Hull in front of 12,000 though.

[Fuse]

If we ever want to compete at the highest level again we will need a 50k+ capacity stadium. I don't buy the fact we could never fill it, if we had a team being successful over a 5 year period then we would get the crowds.

I think we will extend the ground in the enxt 5 years once the QIA take over ;-)

[pauliewalnuts]

Looks as though Wulvz are turning the custard bowl into something of similar size, I was quite surprised by the size of their new stand.

It'll look daft when they're entertaining Hull in front of 12,000 though.

I read yesterday that Wolves aren't actually doing the top level yet. They've stopped work on it and are going to wait till they need it.

[pauliewalnuts]

Joined up corners?

Nein danke.

[Des Little]

We need a joined up team first

[Steve R]

I read yesterday that Wolves aren't actually doing the top level yet. They've stopped work on it and are going to wait till they need it.

So they're going to have a section of the ground cordoned off? Fair play to them, that's a nice nod to tradition.

[Handsworth Wood Villa]

Joined up corners?

Nein danke.

Why not?

Surely it would improve the atmosphere?

[UK Redsox]

I read yesterday that Wolves aren't actually doing the top level yet. They've stopped work on it and are going to wait till they need it.

So they're going to have a section of the ground cordoned off? Fair play to them, that's a nice nod to tradition.

Are Wolves going to block it off with tarp as they do in Oakland ?

[OasisVillain]

Looks as though Wulvz are turning the custard bowl into something of similar size, I was quite surprised by the size of their new stand.

It'll look daft when they're entertaining Hull in front of 12,000 though.

I read yesterday that Wolves aren't actually doing the top level yet. They've stopped work on it and are going to wait till they need it.

They're finishing the upper tier, it's the continuation of the stand around the Steve Bull side of the ground that's been put on hold

[garyfouroaks]

The uncomfortable truth is that we are not going to need a stadium with a capacity beyond 42,000 for the forseeable future.

The most likely immediate scenario is the removal of seats, and reinstallation of seats in the Lower North, not an entirely new stand.

The Rugby World Cup/Olympics hosting was no loss, it would probably have cost us money. Coventry Council are paying to host.

The demolition and rebuilding of the North stand is not , in itself a big ask. A new lower terrace could probably be up and running taking capacity back up to over 40,000 in well under a year, which incorporating a close season might involve little lost business.But it is difficult just now to see the circmstances in which we will need an extra 10,000 seats.

[pauliewalnuts]

Joined up corners?

Nein danke.

Why not?

Surely it would improve the atmosphere?

Because Villa Park is a traditional English ground with four stands.

As for atmosphere, there's not much atmosphere at the many identikit bowl grounds in this country.

Look at St Andrews (a place you're no doubt familiar with) for an example of how joining up stands doesn't necessarily mean a better atmosphere.

[kippaxvilla2]

Be fair though you have to have people in the ground to actually precipitate an atmosphere.

[Irish villain]

I'd like to see us continue with the plans to redevelop. That in itself would be a statement of intent about the ambitions of the club. Villa Park crowds are low this year because there is no sense of ambition, people have been hit hard with the recession and there was an expectation that the football would be poor this year.

However, for three seasons in a row we were averaging 40,000. The potential is there. I actually think attendances won't be this low again for a while. Look at the exciting youngsters we have. If we can get them playing decent football with the likes of Ireland and Bent in the side things will start to look up.

I'd say build. Offer cheap tickets, get the youngsters into Villa Park and  see the club become dynamic again.