Villa Park Redevelopment

[Dante Lavelli]

A further benefit of that small side extension might be that it extends the boundary and therefore sets the precedent for any future planning application. A small change now but could mean XXk seats if there were to rebuild the stand completely.

[Chris Harte]

Like folk think the Holte's been there forever!

There is something that, to me, feels like it's been there forever.

When I first saw the image of the planned extension of those boxes I hated it, although at the time I couldn't articulate why I hated it.

I think what is happening for me is a part of the appearance, a constant, will be lost, in the form of that gap between the two stands.

Whether you're watching a game on the TV today, or watching an old broadcast from the 1970s on YouTube or The Big Match Revisited, that gap is always there. It survived the rebuild of the Holte End in the 1990s, and the Trinity Road Stand rebuild around the turn of the millenium. Even when, what I described at the time as a "hideous tower of boxes" were part of that new stand, the gap was still there. And while its just a gap, with nothing in it, it's still something that people, not just Villa fans, will recognise as being part of Villa Park.

I think that, and the fact the extension feels so piece-meal, is what's bothering me about it.

[Dante Lavelli]

The sampdoria/genoa corners are iconic.  Whilst I understand the post above, I wouldn’t be against us doing something like that.  However, our plan isn’t that, it’s an add-on to squeeze in some extra seats. 

I’m convinced all of what they are doing today is with the view to doing something radical in 10-15 years time (or optimising the asset before selling).

[KevinGage]

Even Glasgow Rangers - with all their financial issues in recent years and playing in a farmer's league - have a better finish between their four stands than we do.

They've managed to enclose the ground but still keep the four separate stands vibe.

Whilst we piss around with ugly prefabs for the TV companies between the Holte and Doug Ellis and these latest carbuncles.

[London Villan]

Like folk think the Holte's been there forever!

There is something that, to me, feels like it's been there forever.

When I first saw the image of the planned extension of those boxes I hated it, although at the time I couldn't articulate why I hated it.

I think what is happening for me is a part of the appearance, a constant, will be lost, in the form of that gap between the two stands.

Whether you're watching a game on the TV today, or watching an old broadcast from the 1970s on YouTube or The Big Match Revisited, that gap is always there. It survived the rebuild of the Holte End in the 1990s, and the Trinity Road Stand rebuild around the turn of the millenium. Even when, what I described at the time as a "hideous tower of boxes" were part of that new stand, the gap was still there. And while its just a gap, with nothing in it, it's still something that people, not just Villa fans, will recognise as being part of Villa Park.

I think that, and the fact the extension feels so piece-meal, is what's bothering me about it.

Like folk think the Holte's been there forever!

There is something that, to me, feels like it's been there forever.

When I first saw the image of the planned extension of those boxes I hated it, although at the time I couldn't articulate why I hated it.

I think what is happening for me is a part of the appearance, a constant, will be lost, in the form of that gap between the two stands.

Whether you're watching a game on the TV today, or watching an old broadcast from the 1970s on YouTube or The Big Match Revisited, that gap is always there. It survived the rebuild of the Holte End in the 1990s, and the Trinity Road Stand rebuild around the turn of the millenium. Even when, what I described at the time as a "hideous tower of boxes" were part of that new stand, the gap was still there. And while its just a gap, with nothing in it, it's still something that people, not just Villa fans, will recognise as being part of Villa Park.

I think that, and the fact the extension feels so piece-meal, is what's bothering me about it.

Bit like the church at Goodison.

[eamonn]

Or the new swimming pool at Craven Cottage.

[eye digress]

It is becoming like Trigger's Broom. 

Already is for me
My first visit was mid 70’s not one of those stands that were there back then remain
All gone along with the 20p at the turnstile to get into the Holte

My first visit - in 1967 - was in the Witton Lane stand; the second was the open Witton End; the third was the standing section of the Trinity Road.
All completely different now, of course. I abhor the renaming of the Witton Land stand and dislike the 'new' Trinity Road stand: the ground, however, is still an icon representing the traditions of football and fan-experience and I hope it continues to be a symbol of traditional values (which is not to say, old or hackneyed).

75p for my first visits under my own steam.

[Percy McCarthy]

One would imagine Guillem Balague had access to a few movers and shakers while writing his book. Interesting then, if it’s based on what he’s been told, that he thinks we need a new 60k stadium but don’t need more corporate.

[Rico]

I still think we're missing an opportunity here to get the capacity up to mid 50s possibly 60k by not building a giant single tier North Stand. The land is available and I'm sure that the initial construction works could be done with the existing stand still in place.

[Ads]

I wouldn't want a North bigger than the Holte.

[Rico]

I wouldn't want a North bigger than the Holte.

Make the Holte End Bigger afterwards.

[Dante Lavelli]

One would imagine Guillem Balague had access to a few movers and shakers while writing his book. Interesting then, if it’s based on what he’s been told, that he thinks we need a new 60k stadium but don’t need more corporate.

Where’s he said this?

[Ger Regan]

I'm reading it at the moment and was struck by his suggestion that ultimately a new ground was what was needed, presumably what he's inferred from conversations with nassef etc

[Dante Lavelli]

I'm reading it at the moment and was struck by his suggestion that ultimately a new ground was what was needed, presumably what he's inferred from conversations with nassef etc

I was very pro new ground but less so nowadays.  Our small wobble to the depths of The *checks notes* Europa League shows how fragile the demand is.  A 52-55k stadium with its quirks and history is perfect for the foreseeable. 

In ten years, we will need to upgrade across the board, in the meantime we can keep our options open on whether that’s a move, redevelopment, or upgrades to the existing.

[Percy McCarthy]

One would imagine Guillem Balague had access to a few movers and shakers while writing his book. Interesting then, if it’s based on what he’s been told, that he thinks we need a new 60k stadium but don’t need more corporate.

Where’s he said this?

On one of the Villa podcasts in the week.