Villa Park Redevelopment

[Brazilian Villain]

I found myself wondering this morning whether they’re thinking about moving.

Hopefully. *ducks for cover*

Next, there'll be people suggesting we build a mega-stadium at the Wheels site and groundshare with SHA. *shudders*

[Border villan]

Heck has only just arrived and already we have “move the franchise “.

[chrisw1]

The problem with a new ground is the location.

Smithfield could have been an option (better transport, local facilities, etc) - and might still be as nothing has been built yet.
But without demolishing half of Aston there isn't an obvious local site that has better transport links, which is ultimately the problem.

It would almost be worth it just to piss off the Blues fans.  Shelby Street runs right through it - imagine how gutted they would be about that?

But realistically, that is a major regeneration site and I can't see the Coincil ever letting it go to a football club.

I'm not sure why people are convincing themselves the North stand is off.  Cancelling / delaying Villa Live shouldn't have any impact on the redev programme.  Tbh, I never felt it would have any use outside of match days, I just can't see a venue like that managing to attract people to this part of the City.

[Mister E]

Maybe he's just looked from the angle of what we can do right now with what we already to improve the match day experience and then take it from there, which seems logical to me.

It struck me too that this was because of the transport situation being up in the air and wanting to do something concrete next season regardless.

Exactly, we could sit on our hands doing nothing and point at the transport issue holding everything up, or we can focus on making the most of what we've already got, and watching that presentation video he did at the '76 ers the other day that strikes me as exactly the way he'd approach things

Several people have mentioned the transport issue, by which I assume this relates to the lack of traction with Network Rail and Witton station. Since it takes NWR eons to get things done (I worked there both as consultant and employee; it's an organisation paralysed by its own introversion and lack of imagination), could the club not work with the public bus companies or private coach companies to improve other forms of transport, at least till the Witton station does finally get improved?
I don't travel from the city centre to games so am not really clued in to how it works, but I hear the complaints here about how bad the current arrangements are. Based on the recent experiences of people coming to VP for Pink and Bruce, I'd say it's very much in the club's interest to get this sorted.

[LeeB]

Maybe he's just looked from the angle of what we can do right now with what we already to improve the match day experience and then take it from there, which seems logical to me.

It struck me too that this was because of the transport situation being up in the air and wanting to do something concrete next season regardless.

Exactly, we could sit on our hands doing nothing and point at the transport issue holding everything up, or we can focus on making the most of what we've already got, and watching that presentation video he did at the '76 ers the other day that strikes me as exactly the way he'd approach things

Several people have mentioned the transport issue, by which I assume this relates to the lack of traction with Network Rail and Witton station. Since it takes NWR eons to get things done (I worked there both as consultant and employee; it's an organisation paralysed by its own introversion and lack of imagination), could the club not work with the public bus companies or private coach companies to improve other forms of transport, at least till the Witton station does finally get improved?
I don't travel from the city centre to games so am not really clued in to how it works, but I hear the complaints here about how bad the current arrangements are. Based on the recent experiences of people coming to VP for Pink and Bruce, I'd say it's very much in the club's interest to get this sorted.

I agree, that is the kind of thing we can practically do something about, and we should. That's the kind of approach I expect us to take and I'll judge the new guy based on things like that.

[ChicagoLion]

Maybe he's just looked from the angle of what we can do right now with what we already to improve the match day experience and then take it from there, which seems logical to me.

It struck me too that this was because of the transport situation being up in the air and wanting to do something concrete next season regardless.

Exactly, we could sit on our hands doing nothing and point at the transport issue holding everything up, or we can focus on making the most of what we've already got, and watching that presentation video he did at the '76 ers the other day that strikes me as exactly the way he'd approach things

Several people have mentioned the transport issue, by which I assume this relates to the lack of traction with Network Rail and Witton station. Since it takes NWR eons to get things done (I worked there both as consultant and employee; it's an organisation paralysed by its own introversion and lack of imagination), could the club not work with the public bus companies or private coach companies to improve other forms of transport, at least till the Witton station does finally get improved?
I don't travel from the city centre to games so am not really clued in to how it works, but I hear the complaints here about how bad the current arrangements are. Based on the recent experiences of people coming to VP for Pink and Bruce, I'd say it's very much in the club's interest to get this sorted.

I agree, that is the kind of thing we can practically do something about, and we should. That's the kind of approach I expect us to take and I'll judge the new guy based on things like that.

And we could have done something about the catering and we haven't, so I am not holding my breath.

[algy]

The problem with a new ground is the location.

Smithfield could have been an option (better transport, local facilities, etc) - and might still be as nothing has been built yet.
But without demolishing half of Aston there isn't an obvious local site that has better transport links, which is ultimately the problem.

It would almost be worth it just to piss off the Blues fans.  Shelby Street runs right through it - imagine how gutted they would be about that?

But realistically, that is a major regeneration site and I can't see the Coincil ever letting it go to a football club.

I'm not sure why people are convincing themselves the North stand is off.  Cancelling / delaying Villa Live shouldn't have any impact on the redev programme.  Tbh, I never felt it would have any use outside of match days, I just can't see a venue like that managing to attract people to this part of the City.

Yep, occurred to me that it's maybe putting the cart before the horse.  If Villa Park was in relatively heavy use 4-5 days a week throughout the year then there'd be a strong case for it.  At the moment we're maybe on 2 days a week for 10 months a year (being very optimistic).

[Hookeysmith]

Without getting into histrionics, after being pumped with ideas of the future, it does smell a bit of Dougonomics.

That’s probably harsh but I feel the messaging could do with a bit of improvement.

Feels like end of the season the momentum was massively positive but - in time honoured fashion for us - since then it has been deflation.

No new stand till transport fixed. No Villa Live, let’s paint what’s there. Fuck the badge we got you to vote for.

I know that sounds miserablist but we’ve been here several times before.

Let’s have some good stuff.

I could be even more paranoid and raise how this has all emerged post season ticket renewal deadline.

And after claims of "going big" on supporting Emery in the market all we have at present is a free agent from a relegated side

If we are waiting to strike once Monchi has his feet under the table then i fear we may miss the boat

[Flin5tone]

Slightly off topic but did not want to start a new subject as it might upset the haters.

I'm looking for a (ideally framed) large picture of the tram outside villa park scene. (I think we used it on a programme years ago against spurs) and it's often floating around but can't seem to find one to purchase. Any ideas

[Brend'Watkins]

Slightly off topic but did not want to start a new subject as it might upset the haters.

I'm looking for a (ideally framed) large picture of the tram outside villa park scene. (I think we used it on a programme years ago against spurs) and it's often floating around but can't seem to find one to purchase. Any ideas

Have a look on Pintrest. I get sent loads of vintage photos of former Villa players and Villa Park throughout the ages. I'm sure you'll find something on there.

[dave.woodhall]

The problem with a new ground is the location.

Smithfield could have been an option (better transport, local facilities, etc) - and might still be as nothing has been built yet.
But without demolishing half of Aston there isn't an obvious local site that has better transport links, which is ultimately the problem.

It would almost be worth it just to piss off the Blues fans.  Shelby Street runs right through it - imagine how gutted they would be about that?

But realistically, that is a major regeneration site and I can't see the Coincil ever letting it go to a football club.

I'm not sure why people are convincing themselves the North stand is off.  Cancelling / delaying Villa Live shouldn't have any impact on the redev programme.  Tbh, I never felt it would have any use outside of match days, I just can't see a venue like that managing to attract people to this part of the City.

Yep, occurred to me that it's maybe putting the cart before the horse.  If Villa Park was in relatively heavy use 4-5 days a week throughout the year then there'd be a strong case for it.  At the moment we're maybe on 2 days a week for 10 months a year (being very optimistic).

Indeed. I meant to reply to Risso's comment about how the TTs keep his mate's pub going for the rest of the year. The difference is that he keeps open, presumably he has tickover trade for the other fifty weeks and can bring in extra staff & supplies for the boom time - much like the remaining pubs around Villa Park on matchday. Live would be a completely different concept where it would be a huge operation to bring in casual staff, it might be completely unused for weeks on end and as has been said many times, not only is Aston not pleasant to visit at night but Birmingham is a bugger of a place to keep a mid-sized venue going.

[olaftab]

I found myself wondering this morning whether they’re thinking about moving.

Hopefully. *ducks for cover*

Move to Perry park and build a new stadium next to the Alex. Great site for access and transport etc.

[Rico]

Hypothetical question. If we had to move away from Villa Park's current location, then where would be a better option. As it stands we have two train stations and a motorway near by. Assuming that we would stay in or around Birmingham where else could we go that would be better? I feel that a move to South Birmingham would be unpopular as imo it's more associated with SHA, and I can't really think of anywhere North of Brum that would fit the bill. Suggestions?

[Ads]

Moving into the city centre would be the only choice. It would be expensive as you'd have to flatten somewhere though.

[Rico]

Moving into the city centre would be the only choice. It would be expensive as you'd have to flatten somewhere though.

Good shout, but would definitely need to be in the centre and not in the periphery like the Sty. Very expensive though!