Villa Park Redevelopment

[BC Villain]

Looks great on the outside but I must confess to being slightly underwhelmed by how the new North Stand looks from inside the stadium. It looks just like the Holte End to me and I’d hoped we’d take this opportunity to do something a bit different, with a bit of a Wow factor. As Spurs have done with their huge single tier end, as one example.

Glad it's not just me. Looks spot on from the outside – real nod to the heritage but with a modern twist.
But, not sure that the inside is really answering the issues we have.
First up, the open corners mean a lot of the atmosphere drifts out in the present set-up. Spurs looked at the acoustics as part of the design, this feels like you'll be able to hear the North Stand better from Erdington than the Holte.
Second, we know we're pressed for space, so I was expecting more of a Dortmund approach – keeping the integrity of four stands, but taking them right out into the corners.
Third, it feels like the wings have been dictated by the Witton Lane Stand – you'll barely be able to see the all the pitch from the top right corner. Surprised they haven't ripped out part of the roof over the away end, and taken it right up to the North, a bit like Anfield has done.

Rather suggests that we'll keep adding random stands to Villa Park for eternity. And much as I love the uniqueness of our place, a bit of coherence for the future has always been our weak point. Can't imagine we'll ever be able to mirror the Trinity on the other side, so maybe suggests we'll one day wrap the lower North round towards the Holte as a single tier, and stick more corporate on top.

Same for me.  I think the entire structure looks pretty bland and souless.  A bit disappointing that they got a blank sheet to start with, and what they've come up with is somewhat meh

[Hillbilly]

It's a bit 'new London vernacular'.

[Scott Nielsen]

I like it. I only wish the work could be started sooner than 2024.

[Dazvillain]

Looks great from outside views but roof looks bit strange from internal views. Still don’t understand why filling in the corner of lower tier or north/trinity rd is important to then take seats out for new players entrance. I know it’s not infinite detail but it’s not clear at either side of upper tier if it will be glass sided to keep weather out.
Will we get more detailed drawings when planning is submitted ?

[pauliewalnuts]

I like it. I only wish the work could be started sooner than 2024.

It says late 23 on the site. Although I guess depends on how late that means.

I wonder if that means no north stand at all from start next season or if they’ll do work on the public areas and Villa Live bit first then demolish and rebuild the stand in the 24-5 season.

It says they aim to complete in late 2025 so that might be the case.

Actually one other thing to consider - maybe this work all has to be in sync with the improvements to public transport (Witton station etc) hence the long timeline.

[London Villan]

Haven't they already got planning permission to flatten the current Villa Village/ex BT offices?

[dave.woodhall]

It's all heavily dependent on getting a commitment to improve Witton station and the other transport links.

[Brend'Watkins]

It's a bit 'new London vernacular'.

Brick Cladding is far more preferable to wrinkly tin.  Besides, historically it's been a brick orientated stadium until Ellis era brutalism made it's mark.

[pauliewalnuts]

Besides, historically it's been a brick orientated stadium until Ellis era brutalism made it's mark.

Yep, that's why doing it in brick means we can rebuilt some of that 'feel' and identity about the ground.

[London Villan]

Is it beyond the wit of the city council, Villa and a bus operator to have a "red route" into town and maybe Erdington/Sutton for an hour post-match on which shuttle buses can backwards and forwards?

[pauliewalnuts]

You can't just stop normal life because there's a football match on.

[olaftab]

Is it beyond the wit of the city council, Villa and a bus operator to have a "red route" into town and maybe Erdington/Sutton for an hour post-match on which shuttle buses can backwards and forwards?

No fuck NO.

[Hillbilly]

It's a bit 'new London vernacular'.

Brick Cladding is far more preferable to wrinkly tin.  Besides, historically it's been a brick orientated stadium until Ellis era brutalism made it's mark.

No objection to the brick facade but it’s flat and bland.

[London Villan]

You can't just stop normal life because there's a football match on.

I disagree - Villa bring £000s into the city - it's the city's only regular big high-profile sporting event, which in turn causes traffic problems post match. If the city is serious about cutting traffic, then the creation of public transport priority routes post match for an hour after the game which will be away from the working day by the nature of kick-off times, should be something that is looked at.  The same way it was for the CWGs.

The buses (assuming this is the easiest win) could head down Aston Lane and feed into the new bus lanes on the A34.

[kipeye]

It's a bit 'new London vernacular'.

Brick Cladding is far more preferable to wrinkly tin.  Besides, historically it's been a brick orientated stadium until Ellis era brutalism made it's mark.

You make it sound like Ellis was a fan of Brutalism. His methods were cheap and cheerless.