Villa Park Redevelopment

[Percy McCarthy]

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.

This is where I am too. I think it looks like we’d have to lower prices to sell out 60k at the moment, which kind of undermines the business case. Worth keeping an eye on Everton’s gates.

[Crown Hill]

If we lowered prices to around £50 I think there would be potential for a bigger ground.

As it is we are just about squeezing for capacity.

On personal observation the last couple of years there are a large number of season ticket holders who don’t attend cup games. This is an issue for the Club and why they are changing the criteria for away cup matches.

[Percy McCarthy]

Also, at least from what I see on social media, there’s a lot of love for Villa Park from other fans. Its traditional nature has/could become a bit of a USP. And the return on minimal investment will certainly be welcomed by the owners. Looking forward to further development of the area seeded by the Warehouse/North Stand/Witton Station investments.

[bill]

Also, at least from what I see on social media, there’s a lot of love for Villa Park from other fans. Its traditional nature has/could become a bit of a USP. And the return on minimal investment will certainly be welcomed by the owners. Looking forward to further development of the area seeded by the Warehouse/North Stand/Witton Station investments.

Wouldn’t want to become something like a footballing museum though. Ultimately, we will need to build a new ground if we seriously want to compete with some of the state of the art stadiums now being constructed. Ideally it would be nearer the City centre, however difficult that might be. And I speak as someone who has been attending Villa Park for nearly 60 years. For all the affection I have for the place, we mustn’t get bogged down in sentimentality.

[cdbearsfan]

We absolutely do not need to build a new ground, and city centre is an absolute non-starter. We have the worst public transport of any major city in Western Europe. We won't get better than Aston, next to the motorway and two train stations. Wherever you build it, most people will drive, Birmingham is an overwhelmimgly car-reliant city. It would be Hell on Earth trying to get 60,000 people in and out of the city centre.

[bill]

We absolutely do not need to build a new ground, and city centre is an absolute non-starter. We have the worst public transport of any major city in Western Europe. We won't get better than Aston, next to the motorway and two train stations. Wherever you build it, most people will drive, Birmingham is an overwhelmimgly car-reliant city. It would be Hell on Earth trying to get 60,000 people in and out of the city centre.

I disagree. Aston is a pretty run down area. Little or no facilities, particularly decent pubs. There are plenty of transportation option into the city centre. Yes, if we did manage to find a site, it would involve a massive infrastructure project. But our great city has never shied away from such things, it’s part of what makes me proud to be a Brummie. What I’m advocating might be some way in the future, perhaps many years. But it will, I think, happen.

[cdbearsfan]

Our great city has been absolutely shite at public transport since the sixties, and is currently skint. We can't even afford to get bins collected.

[kippaxvilla2]

Maybe a new Sports Quarter would be the answer.

[Percy McCarthy]

Maybe a new Sports Quarter would be the answer.

I wrote in to the club about thirty years ago suggesting this very thing. They had me in for a meeting but obviously, like Richie Aprile, I couldn’t sell it.

[Chris Harte]

I've said this previously. I wouldn't want to move but if a new stadium was necessary, for me it would need to overlap with the existing stadium, a bit like what Spurs did.

In my mind the new pitch would be east of the existing one, on the opposite side of Witton Lane. If done right, approximately two thirds of the new stadium could be built, maybe with 40,000+ seats, ready to move in to. Once moved in, the existing Villa Park could be dismantled and the new stadium completed to 60,000+. The benefit of building from stratch is there's no piecemeal nonsense like the boxes in the Holte/Trinity corner, and with some thought, improved, uncramped concourses, toilets and food/drink facilities can be scaled appropriately.

In this scenario, the club get a bigger, better designed stadium that'll generate more revenue, while the fans get better facilities. And because it's footprint overlaps the old stadium no-one's existing matchday routines need to be severly impacted.

The obvious problem with this is the significant matter of the housing estate on that land. I imagine a proportion will be privately owned and a proportion are council owned. The council are potless, so that could play in the club's favour. As for those that own their homes there, they may need persuading, and if our owners can't spend their money on signings, maybe it can go on compension payments that'll pave the way for the club's expansion.

The other issue is the transport. Maybe an expanded (rather than improved) Witton Station would help.
The beer hall currently under constuction would certainly help. I've mention tunnels previously to consternation from some.

I've no idea if the above is viable or not, and it would take a lot of time for it to come to fruition. And of course some will love the idea while others will hate it. But maybe it's time to see the owners hand.

[bill]

Our great city has been absolutely shite at public transport since the sixties, and is currently skint. We can't even afford to get bins collected.

That’s the spirit. We’re a great city, don’t ever try to convince me otherwise.

[eamonn]

It can be a great city but still terribly managed.

[Sexual Ealing]

I haven’t read the thread but the problem with Birmingham is cars. Whenever you speak to someone they assume you’ve driven there. Ban cars.

[Dante Lavelli]

The Aston location kinda forces people to spend their cash at the venue, this might be diluted moving to the City.

The Warehouse could be key, not just for football but gigs throughout the year.  The kudos from gigs may make us relevant to another market too.  Somehow we need to host more stadium gigs.  As the second city must have the population to support such money spinners, but the stadium may need to be altered.

[Nev]

I rarely get the train straight after the match but did last Sunday, got to AS at 3.55 and the first train for Town arrived at 4.35. That was after two sped through the station.

Crap.