Villa Park Redevelopment

[The Edge]

Development announcement imminent.

Tonight or tomorrow?

It’ll be 3pm on Monday. The Heck’s Speech.

Help me out here. I can't work out what's going on and I haven't got time to scroll back. Is the club going to make an announcement about the redevelopment or not? How would anyone know unless they have really good inside information?

[Chris Harte]

In summary, Chris Heck said the demolition of the North Stand won't happen next summer, everyone's been speculating ever since and Dave has said there's an announcement incoming, presumably to update on what the plan will be.

Edit - and we ain't moving to a new stadium.

[Dogtanian]

I still think a new stadium will be looked at over the next few years, even as a long-term project.

Our last posted matchday revenue was £16m. I expect with two seasons of increases, European football, and Lower Grounds etc, this could now be up to £30m+. But this still pales massively compared to clubs like Spurs now pulling in over £100m. It will be interesting to see Everton's improvements from their new stadium, as they are closer to where we have been and also not a London-based club.

Other points that occur to me and make me think we are just being kept in the dark while they look at all options;

If they are not going ahead because they don't want to impact the playing side right now, it would be a delay, not a re-think.

If they really don't think Villa, in our catchment area with top-6 football and europe, can take advantage of an extra 8k seats, then there's a huge issue.

If they are not going ahead because it would take money from other areas, well what areas are these? We don't need £100m spent on the training ground or academy. I don't think we can spend £100m on transfers with FFP. And if we only have £100-150m available overall, where has the appetite for investment gone? Do they really want us to think that's all they can muster and it was all talk?

[Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air]

Development announcement imminent.

Tonight or tomorrow?

It’ll be 3pm on Monday. The Heck’s Speech.

Recorded weeks ago.

[Villan82]

I am so relieved that we are staying put.

I am still perplexed at the Heck communication faux pas (how many now?). If I had staff that were this loose with getting the message across, especially given that clear comms has been a hallmark under NSWE, I would be left quite unimpressed.

Left wondering what will be announced as the new stand looed mint. I really hope it isn't just a tart up of the existing stand as it really ruins the look of the stadium and is shocking facilities wise.

[The Edge]

I am so relieved that we are staying put.

I am still perplexed at the Heck communication faux pas (how many now?). If I had staff that were this loose with getting the message across, especially given that clear comms has been a hallmark under NSWE, I would be left quite unimpressed.

Left wondering what will be announced as the new stand looed mint. I really hope it isn't just a tart up of the existing stand as it really ruins the look of the stadium and is shocking facilities wise.

I would not be surprised if they announced the bottom section was remaining as its just a solid bank of earth and either a rebuild or just a widening of the upper tier with a new roof. The lower North could be kept open in either scenario.

[The Edge]

In summary, Chris Heck said the demolition of the North Stand won't happen next summer, everyone's been speculating ever since and Dave has said there's an announcement incoming, presumably to update on what the plan will be.

Edit - and we ain't moving to a new stadium.

Cheers Chris

[Risso]

If they are not going ahead because it would take money from other areas, well what areas are these? We don't need £100m spent on the training ground or academy. I don't think we can spend £100m on transfers with FFP. And if we only have £100-150m available overall, where has the appetite for investment gone? Do they really want us to think that's all they can muster and it was all talk?

Was thinking the same. I really hope not when everything has been going so well, but this decision together with the news about the outside investment could lead to that conclusion.

[tomd2103]

I just can't see how a major redevelopment of Villa Park is feasible to be honest.  Any work to the existing stands would significantly reduce the capacity and there aren't any realistic local 40,000+ options that we could play at while the work is being done. 

I'm guessing the imminent announcement will just be some more meat on the bone Heck threw out about the reasons for the delay and the other bits of work being done rather than any other development plans.

[pablo_picasso]

If they are not going ahead because it would take money from other areas, well what areas are these? We don't need £100m spent on the training ground or academy. I don't think we can spend £100m on transfers with FFP. And if we only have £100-150m available overall, where has the appetite for investment gone? Do they really want us to think that's all they can muster and it was all talk?

Was thinking the same. I really hope not when everything has been going so well, but this decision together with the news about the outside investment could lead to that conclusion.

On the flip side, it is difficult to believe a word that Heck says.

Some of the "excuses" he has given for some of his actions in his first six months have been downright insulting.

You 'might' be able to excuse the first fuck up because he had only been here for three minutes, (I don't personally), but 6 months later & the communication has been just as shit.

I have read that he needs to get his feet under the table, but what the fuck has he been doing with his feet for the past 6 months & where the fuck is the table?

[London Villan]

You can't beat a good 41st Anniversary party... of all the crap we've been fed over the years that reason for the badge on the shirts was the most pathetic ever.

Just say you don't like it and binned it - just don't lie.

[luke95]

This the announcement Dave Woodhall mentioned

https://www.avfc.co.uk/news/2023/december/21/av-150--countdown-to-anniversary-season-begins-/

[London Villan]

Wasn't it more to do with the uncertainty around the re-development.

[Stinkin_Thinkin]

My guess is the announcment is they'll upgrade the lower holte to standing terrace after the foo fighters to pack a few more in. This will help the credibility of "terrace view" people will be able to sneak off for their beluga caviar without causing the inconveniance of whole row to stand up to let them pass.

[Risso]

My guess is the announcment is they'll upgrade the lower holte to standing terrace after the foo fighters to pack a few more in. This will help the credibility of "terrace view" people will be able to sneak off for their beluga caviar without causing the inconveniance of whole row to stand up to let them pass.

That won't be it. Even with the standing/sitting hybrid rail seats, it's one for one. You can't put more in than were there originally.