Villa Park Redevelopment

[London Villan]

Has to be in walking distance of the city centre. That's why Smithfield would be perfect (if a little tight for space). It would not only be great for us, but it would give the city a massive boost and brilliant facility.

A massive call to move the club though, as well as very expensive.

[chrisw1]

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.

I'm sure the residents would love that.  The only way you'd have a chance would be to rebuild the Alex including a running track and I'm sure non of us would want that.

[Pat Mustard]

Has to be in walking distance of the city centre. That's why Smithfield would be perfect (if a little tight for space). It would not only be great for us, but it would give the city a massive boost and brilliant facility.

A massive call to move the club though, as well as very expensive.

Smithfield is always brought up in these scenarios, but it would be the worst of all worlds for the club and the city.  The site would be horrendously expensive to start with, and would effectively stop development of any other facilities in an area the city centre needs to expand.  A stadium here would basically be a brick wall between the city centre and it's expansion eastwards through Digbeth and around HS2.  Far from giving the city a boost it would strangle it in much the same way the ring road used to and for a facility that even in the best case scenario is only going to be fully utilised about 30 times a year.

If we did move it would have to be a site on the fringe of the city centre that isn't already earmarked for development and there just aren't that many of those around that would have any better transport links than where we are now.

[FatSam]

Would have to agree with Percy regarding the Gun Quarter, or maybe just north of it. Would have to be a special location to compensate for losing Aston Hall and the church as a setting. Alongside the canal might work, if a piece of public realm could be created, like Granary Square in Kings Cross (but on a smaller scale) for example. The Gun Quarter is basically on a straight line into the city centre from Villa Park, and so as much ‘Aston’ as possible to be, whilst improving transport links, and access to city centre amenities. Would make for a much more enticing prospect for non football events too. Basically having a 60k venue within walking distance of an HS2 station.

[Risso]

Has to be in walking distance of the city centre. That's why Smithfield would be perfect (if a little tight for space). It would not only be great for us, but it would give the city a massive boost and brilliant facility.

A massive call to move the club though, as well as very expensive.

Smithfield is always brought up in these scenarios, but it would be the worst of all worlds for the club and the city.  The site would be horrendously expensive to start with, and would effectively stop development of any other facilities in an area the city centre needs to expand.  A stadium here would basically be a brick wall between the city centre and it's expansion eastwards through Digbeth and around HS2.  Far from giving the city a boost it would strangle it in much the same way the ring road used to and for a facility that even in the best case scenario is only going to be fully utilised about 30 times a year.

If we did move it would have to be a site on the fringe of the city centre that isn't already earmarked for development and there just aren't that many of those around that would have any better transport links than where we are now.

There's not much on the other side that you'd necessarily want to get to though is there.? I think it would be great for the city centre, a million people a year spending money in shops, pubs and restaurants who mostly won't be now. You only have to go to Newcastle to see how great having a club a few minutes walk from the city centre can be, and the transport problems would be solved at a stroke.

[pauliewalnuts]

Smithfield would be a non-starter, plans for development are already in.

The idea is to grow the city centre out in the direction of Digbeth, given HS2 plus the BBC relocating, and there's already a fair amount of residential down there. They wouldn't want to put a stadium there (although being that close to the city centre would be brilliant).

[PeterWithe]

I know a few of us might sound like broken records but, we have 2x train stations, a motorway junction and two arterial roads within walking distance. The transport problems should not be unsolvable in a major city with some can-do attitude.

[Drummond]

What about offering the Royal Mail an incentive to swap from their distribution centre on the A34?

[Bad English]

What about offering the Royal Mail an incentive to swap from their distribution centre on the A34?

Great post!

[Dogtanian]

What about offering the Royal Mail an incentive to swap from their distribution centre on the A34?

They could probably get a discount on redirecting their mail too.

[Risso]

What about offering the Royal Mail an incentive to swap from their distribution centre on the A34?

Great post!

Delivered with aplomb!

[astonvilla82]

What about offering the Royal Mail an incentive to swap from their distribution centre on the A34?

Great post!

can't see that happening, think it would be stamped on

[Drummond]

Being frank, I didn't think expect that.

[ADVILLAFAN]

Moving to Shirley would be handy for me

[algy]

Not generally a fan of moving away from Villa Park.  However - like others - if we were to move away from Aston then really the only option should be closer to the city centre.  Going further out is only going to compound the existing transport issues, for a start.