Villa Park Redevelopment

[Percy McCarthy]

I would think it’s all under consideration, and awaiting the success or otherwise of the Warehouse to prove various business cases.

[algy]

Sort of related to the redevelopment, but isn't it time that such an historic football club had it's own permanent museum on site?

Apologies if this has been explained or covered elsewhere but it just strikes me as odd, especially as the club should be looking for additional income revenues.

I've mentioned an Aston Villa hotel as well previously but I won't chunter on about that right now.

Probably the best thing to do would be to have a Museum club with lots of memorabilia that could be used to fleece corporate types on matchday, then be a highlight of the stadium tour, which is #1 on ‘things to do in Birmingham’ on Tripadvisor.

There is support for a high quality hotel on the allocated sites* outlined in the local growth plan published by the council. The Holte & Aston hotels also have potential. We sought planning permission to build one at the Holte End under Ellis, while the Aston Hotel has the advantage of having the Victorian hall next door that one might imagine could be part of such a scheme.

The Aston Inn and Aston Tavern already offer rooms, not sure about the Witton Arms.

*Allocated sites include that area that includes Legia Warsaw car-park, the Villa Chippy, the car-washes and the Majestic down to Witton Station. There are other allocated sites in the growth zone (other side of the Tame, Westwood Park etc.) but that’s the area in which the hotel is suggested.

Apologies in advance (re:X) but it’s the only link I’ve got; these are the unrealised hotel plans:

https://x.com/primetimeperry/status/1983611383972528539?s=46&t=GdM6cpVxe5IloByNCRheWA

Was thinking myself, the obvious one is the Aston Hotel for me.  Perfect for any events at the Warehouse, and it'll create a nice bookend to Witton Lane with the Holte pub at the other end.

Shame with that image of the Holte Holte that they haven't planted more trees in & around that carpark ... looks really nice as a continuation of the Aston Hall grounds & church graveyard, I think.

[Percy McCarthy]

^^ Well, according to the local growth plan, the whole stadium becomes part of the park.

And yes, an Aston Hotel refurb and repurposing would be great. It’s a beautiful building.

[dave.woodhall]

I think the problem with a museum is the Villa don't own much memorabilia and what they've loaned over the years hasn't exactly been looked after well.

[Percy McCarthy]

They need to get negotiating with Greg and Fingers.

[Chris Harte]

I think the problem with a museum is the Villa don't own much memorabilia and what they've loaned over the years hasn't exactly been looked after well.

I did the Real Madrid tour/museum about a decade ago and it seemed, from memory, heavily reliant on technology and story telling rather than physical memorabilia. That said, the passage of time may have clouded my memory.

[Brazilian Villain]

I did the Real Madrid tour/museum about a decade ago and it seemed, from memory, heavily reliant on technology and story telling rather than physical memorabilia. That said, the passage of time may have clouded my memory.

I did the Barça tour about 25 years ago, and my main memory is that one of their ex-players was the spit of Robbie Williams.

[Villan82]

For a club with such a rich history, and such an important place in football history, there should be some sort of museum/interactive space where we showcase that. The revamped club shop is a step in the right direction in this regard, but still should be better.

On another note, Has Justin gone on strike?!

[Brend'Watkins]

I think the problem with a museum is the Villa don't own much memorabilia and what they've loaned over the years hasn't exactly been looked after well.

I did the Real Madrid tour/museum about a decade ago and it seemed, from memory, heavily reliant on technology and story telling rather than physical memorabilia. That said, the passage of time may have clouded my memory.

I wasn’t that impressed with RM museum, I thought Barcelona’s better without being that memorable either. Villa could recreate the smashing of the shop front window and stealing of the FA cup. Santa getting stuck on the Trinity, the Sheff Utd goal that never was with a full size prop showing it wasn’t. Even the green sand pitch would be of interest.

[algy]

I think the problem with a museum is the Villa don't own much memorabilia and what they've loaned over the years hasn't exactly been looked after well.

I did the Real Madrid tour/museum about a decade ago and it seemed, from memory, heavily reliant on technology and story telling rather than physical memorabilia. That said, the passage of time may have clouded my memory.

I think there’s a lot to be said for this. The way you’d handle it - the way I’d handle it anyway - is to go all in on the immersive experience angle.

That Youri Tielemans footage, plus the 3D coverage that BBC have done for this WC, makes me think you could *relatively* easily allow a kind of “Be a Villa player” VR experience, which if it was good enough might be interesting to non-Villa fans too … you know, like you can actually see and experience what (for example) John McGinn experiences.

Imagine being able to sit in the room when the football league was formed, or chat with VR Archie Hunter, or stand in the centre circle of Villa Park and watch it evolve from the 1897 version to the modern day stadium. All that kind of thing.

There’s loads of stuff you can do that’s outside the realms of a traditional museum, but would be equally if not more appealing both to Villa fans and other clubs’ supporters alike.

[ADVILLAFAN]

I did the Real Madrid tour/museum about a decade ago and it seemed, from memory, heavily reliant on technology and story telling rather than physical memorabilia. That said, the passage of time may have clouded my memory.

I did the Barça tour about 25 years ago, and my main memory is that one of their ex-players was the spit of Robbie Williams.

Trossard played for Barcelona?

[Percy McCarthy]

^^ Some great ideas here.

I’d go heavy on Villa’s international heritage to get non-Villa fans interested. Have a section aimed at the Scots, Welsh & Irish tourists by featuring their/our heroes.

[dave.woodhall]

They need to get negotiating with Greg and Fingers.

Who do you think I was referring to?

[Percy McCarthy]

They need to get negotiating with Greg and Fingers.

Who do you think I was referring to?

Ah gotcha. I thought you meant the stuff they’ve loaned OUT hasn’t been well looked after.