Villa Park Redevelopment

[chrisw1]

According to the plans that were submitted, the northern end of the Trinity would have basically been demolished, with the changing rooms, press areas, players' loungers, physio rooms all moving to the corner of the ground (pretty much where the players car park is now) The space it freed inside the stand being used for hospitality for the new corner section of the stand. That change was integral to the new stand and couldn't have been done without a lot of upheaval.

The current park view hospitality was also planned top be extended further out from where it is now.

Yes, and they would have dealt with the integration works towards the end of the build.

[The Man With A Stick]

One thing I noticed on Monday was how much easier it was to get away with people leaving the ground at different times.  I used the school car park on Aston Lane and instead of queuing for half an hour (like we had to after the Lille/Ajax games) I drove straight out and was on the Aldridge Road in 2 minutes, no queues at all.  The car park was about half full so there were still plenty in the ground (only saw the first 5 mins of the lap of honour), but it goes to show how adding some entertainment and food/drink options to encourage people to hang around afterwards would help the congestion problems.

[Risso]

One thing I noticed on Monday was how much easier it was to get away with people leaving the ground at different times.  I used the school car park on Aston Lane and instead of queuing for half an hour (like we had to after the Lille/Ajax games) I drove straight out and was on the Aldridge Road in 2 minutes, no queues at all.  The car park was about half full so there were still plenty in the ground (only saw the first 5 mins of the lap of honour), but it goes to show how adding some entertainment and food/drink options to encourage people to hang around afterwards would help the congestion problems.

It's always a lot easier for evening games compared to 3pm kick offs though. Obviously there's a lot less non-football traffic after 10pm than there is at 5pm. But yes, anything that staggers leaving times is a good thing.

[Duncan Shaw]

 I really regretted parking at Star City on Monday, after waiting to hear Unai, the 24 minute walk in the pissing rain was the last thing I needed 

[eamonn]

Surely it was worth it for the Basque-toned "Up The Villla!!"

[Somniloquism]

[olaftab]

I really regretted parking at Star City on Monday, after waiting to hear Unai, the 24 minute walk in the pissing rain was the last thing I needed 

Oh come on, I would have thought after that come back you'll be .....

[rob_bridge]

I think I've worked out why Heck has shelved the plans. In a couple of years several of our games will be played overseas. Who needs an expanded Villa Park when we'll be getting 80,000 at the Pasadena Rose Bowl?

Even though this is tongue in cheek, you know full well all those American owners would do it if they could. Once there are 14 of them in place, we can say good bye to the EPL. It will be the Global Premier League, permanently on tour.

It will happen.

There will be at least a 'home' and 'away' game overseas probably in January or February

I have thought for a while that playing PL games outside the UK is very likely, its already happening with NFL over here,

[rob_bridge]

One thing I noticed on Monday was how much easier it was to get away with people leaving the ground at different times.  I used the school car park on Aston Lane and instead of queuing for half an hour (like we had to after the Lille/Ajax games) I drove straight out and was on the Aldridge Road in 2 minutes, no queues at all.  The car park was about half full so there were still plenty in the ground (only saw the first 5 mins of the lap of honour), but it goes to show how adding some entertainment and food/drink options to encourage people to hang around afterwards would help the congestion problems.

That's why getting to the ground is a doddle for me on public transport. Drop car off and get Train from Widney Manor to Snowhill and number 7 outside.

There is no number 7 outside after the match so it is a long walk up one or 2 hills to get 33, 51 etc..

[PeterWithesShin]

A lot of seats removed, these are from today

[Villan82]

It should have been the start of the demolition of the North stand, instead it's cosmetic changes so they can squeeze more out of a structure long past its sell by date.

[pauliewalnuts]

It should have been the start of the demolition of the North stand, instead it's cosmetic changes so they can squeeze more out of a structure long past its sell by date.

It's not about squeezing more money out, it's - as you said - cosmetic changes. Spelling something else in the seats at one end, and rail seating at the other.

[UK Redsox]

Is the back of the Upper Holte being turned into rail-standing ?

Also, my seat behind the dugout is still there........today at least

[Villan82]

It should have been the start of the demolition of the North stand, instead it's cosmetic changes so they can squeeze more out of a structure long past its sell by date.

It's not about squeezing more money out, it's - as you said - cosmetic changes. Spelling something else in the seats at one end, and rail seating at the other.

Same principle though. Why not stick the adidas logo in the Trinity, a more impressive stand? I thought Heck was a branding expert.

[Ducksworthy]

It should have been the start of the demolition of the North stand, instead it's cosmetic changes so they can squeeze more out of a structure long past its sell by date.

It's not about squeezing more money out, it's - as you said - cosmetic changes. Spelling something else in the seats at one end, and rail seating at the other.

Same principle though. Why not stick the adidas logo in the Trinity, a more impressive stand? I thought Heck was a branding expert.

I’d imagine the layout of the Trinity wouldn’t lend itself to a logo - I can’t think of any ground that has a logo or message (AV/The Holte End) on the side stands.