Villa Park Redevelopment

[Risso]

Maybe it's my age but any feeling of value from the club towards the likes of me took flight a while ago and perhaps my cynicism is unfounded but if feels like a deliberate policy to run down GA to push people to pay more.

I saw one tweet over the weekend where the poster included a picture from the external balcony of the Holte looking back at the enormous queues stating that TV was better value than ever. The club might as well use that in it's promotional material.

But people in the Lower Grounds and Terrace View have to queue up at exactly the same gates as everybody else, as they're just in the normal Trinity and Holte End seats. And the Lower Grounds isn't even open at half time, so the people in there are queing up for the same drinks at half time as well. Literally all you get for the extra money Lower Grounds costs you is the chance for a couple of free drinks and some shit food that's probably been sat round all day before the game. My mate was in there Saturday and he said they didn't appear to be clearing the tables and by the end the whole place was minging.

[Dogtanian]

It felt absolutely awful on Saturday.

We are usually last-minute arrivallers, but we purposely arrived an hour earlier. My mate wanted to go to the club shop and we wanted to get the programme for the stickers, so we walked along Witton Lane from the Holte, and had to fight our way through every queue, non of which appeared to be moving.

After we'd been to the shop, we decided to walk back via Trinity as there would be more space with the grass. Our hearts sank when we realised half way along that we were looking at the arse of the queue to get in the Holte End snaking along Trinity Road.

Luckily when we go to the gate, it was all Lower and the queue for ours in K4 was about normal.

There were loads of empty seats at kick off, and I could see people still coming into the DE upper 15 minutes into the game.

I could also see in the windows of what should be the new lounges in the DE and they were just bare and full of building materials. Obviously nowhere near ready, but haven't they been selling those tickets?

The tunnel looks like it's now made of bin bags. And after 16 years of looking at the time above the Corner Flag, it's frustrating to have to look at the big screens.

And they are too small. Why would you take the scoreboard and clock off that small screen above the Corner Flag when that's literally all it's good for? It now just displays a pointless shit message.

I could also see a square of mostly empty seats in the upper North which I believe is one of the new GA+ areas? It stood out like a sore thumb.

I didn't venture into the toilets or eat anything, but two 500ml bottles of water cost me £4.70.

After seeing all these things they are supposedly doing, to turn up and see these new lounges are just empty rooms full of materials still was absolutely shocking.

[VillaTim]

Maybe it's my age but any feeling of value from the club towards the likes of me took flight a while ago and perhaps my cynicism is unfounded but if feels like a deliberate policy to run down GA to push people to pay more.

I saw one tweet over the weekend where the poster included a picture from the external balcony of the Holte looking back at the enormous queues stating that TV was better value than ever. The club might as well use that in it's promotional material.

Almost like a Ryanair Priority Boarding ploy

[Paul.S]

I got to my seat in the Holte lower at 5:45 having stood in the queue outside. Outside, there was no communication to us standing in the queue but credit to everyone for keeping their cool.
There were too many in my row meaning I was standing mostly in the isle as I have an end of row seat. I did lose it after being constantly told to move back into my row and asked where they wanted me to move to.
There were a few others in the same boat and quite a few standing and blocking isle’s. It seemed unsafe and massively disorganised. The stewards didn’t know what was going on and told me so but did their best.
Surely the club knew a lot of us would miss the kick off and some of the game so why wasn’t the game put back. I don’t like criticising our club but this was a total failure and showed a massive disregard to the fans.

[Sexual Ealing]

Heck now blocking people on Twitter who raised issues. He's a genius.

[Chico Hamilton III]

Ticket office still not taking calls this morning, I cheekily tried the membership number and the fella couldn’t help me and told the ticket office is totally separate from what he does. I feel sorry for the poor staff on the phones who are on the front line and probably having a really miserable time of it having to fend off furious fans. To be fair to them, they do more to represent the club in a positive, friendly light than the senior decision makers at Villa. I made a point of telling him that as well -  before went off on my rant.

[Risso]

Just got this from the club by email:

"Aston Villa Football Club are aware of the issues faced by supporters during Saturday’s opening home game of the season against Arsenal.

The club have spent the last 48 hours investigating these issues and will spend the coming weeks ensuring they do not impact fans’ matchday experience in the future.

Regarding the difficulties with access to the stadium, we will be working on solutions to ensure each and every fan is able to use our updated ticketing technology efficiently upon arrival to Villa Park.

We have made it a top priority to resolve the problems involving public toilets and queuing within concourses.

The club will be communicating directly with fans once changes are made and processes are improved."

Sorry seems to be the hardest word. Wankers.

[brontebilly]

I am surprised local health authorities have not been involved.

Agreed, this is absolutely disgusting. It's also one way to ensure supporters spend the bare minimum of time and money once inside the ground. No excuse for it.

[Chip Butty 111]

Reading the last few pages is alarming. The toilet situation, together with the queue to get in, and then seats not existing once people had eventually got in is unforgivable.

Those responsible should be sat in front of NSWE as we speak, going through their 'Please don't terminate my contract' spiel....

[Flamingo Lane]

That statement is pathetic. No apology of any kind whatsoever, and the final sentence suggests that the club will not be communicating further with fans unless and until things improve!

[Kevin Dawson]

Just got this from the club by email:

"Aston Villa Football Club are aware of the issues faced by supporters during Saturday’s opening home game of the season against Arsenal.

The club have spent the last 48 hours investigating these issues and will spend the coming weeks ensuring they do not impact fans’ matchday experience in the future.

Regarding the difficulties with access to the stadium, we will be working on solutions to ensure each and every fan is able to use our updated ticketing technology efficiently upon arrival to Villa Park.

We have made it a top priority to resolve the problems involving public toilets and queuing within concourses.

The club will be communicating directly with fans once changes are made and processes are improved."

Sorry seems to be the hardest word. Wankers.

I totally agree with your comments. I haven't had an email though......
I've sent a rather lengthy email to the club this morning though.

[jon collett]

It seems to me the pre season planning went badly wrong.

I went to VP last Friday for the shop and VP was a construction site. Workers and cranes everywhere. No parking for supporters because so many contractor vehicles.

I struggled to see how the ground would be ready for Saturday.

I was on Witton lane in the queues Saturday and they weren’t caused by supporters. The gates didn’t even open until 45 minutes before kick off.

There was a senior police officer who looked really concerned at the situation outside the ground.

I really think the Club should take this seriously. It’s a failure at a very senior level!

[Chip Butty 111]

Unfortunately By Heck will try and sweep it under the carpet like he did with the new North Stand...the guy is a public relations disaster

[VillaTim]

Sorry seems to be the hardest word. Wankers.

a twist on the Elton John classic

[Sexual Ealing]

Sorry seems to be the hardest word. Wankers.

a twist on the Elton John classic

Yes, obviously, that was the fucking point.