FFP

[DB]

I don't know why we are endlessly debating this because the club has stated categorically that we are not leaving Villa Park.  I for one am very glad of that.

Yes, Heck, the same person who categorically stated they'd confer with the fans over the new crest. That one.

It's not just Heck though. No one involved with Aston Villa has ever stated that we are moving away from B6 unless you include HDE and his plans to build a stadium near the NEC.

They wouldn't announce it right now, though, because, well, what would they have to gain from it? If i were him, I wouldn't either.

There is clearly some reason the very late stage NS plans were ditched at the exact tiume we get aboard a stadium infrastructure specialist.

The minute the digger hits the ground in the North Stand, we are committing to the current location for at least 10-15 years. More, probably.

It would be a massive financial commitment to staying where we are, and I don't think he's prepared to do that.

That's why he is talking of adding 2.5k seats here and there, to tide us over in the meantime.

Tell you what, 5 years from today, come back to this post, ping me, and I'll give you 50 English pounds if we are not at that point known to be either moving or completely rebuilding where we are.

That's how positive I am.

I agree with paulie here.  I half expect something to be announced during the 150th anniversary celebrations - whether that's a heavily remodelled Villa Park, or a move somewhere else.

And honestly, I don't care what NSWE might've said in the past about staying at Villa Park.  The new profit & sustainability rules are a perfect get out clause - we know we said we'd never do X, but that was before New Thing happened.  The reality is that New Thing means that we can't do X and the only possible way forward is Y.

Basically what I have said. But who knows what Heck will come up with.

[Risso]

It's all very strange. Obviously we don't know what the new investment was for, but you'd expect it was for building something substantial. On the other hand, the reported figure (£100m) isn't going to get you very much these days. If they are looking to build a new ground, then as I've said before I think it's going to need a big old area, as to make any money they'll need a mixed use development, with a hotel plus retail, leisure and offices etc.

[pauliewalnuts]

I suspect BCC would not be happy to let their ‘showcase’ empty apartments be overlooking a football stadium. They got rid of the flyover because of the view!!

WOAH!

Wait. Perry Barr flyover is gone?

[Somniloquism]

Yes. Since 2020

[pauliewalnuts]

Wow. I had no idea.

Brings back memories as a kid going up to see my grandparents in Perry Barr.

[paul_e]

The place looks much better without it to be honest.

[chrisw1]

Has there ever been any discussion about the University sports ground - The Pavillion as a potential site?

https://www.google.com/maps/@52.5297477,-1.8850098,1886m/data=!3m1!1e3?entry=ttu

[dave.woodhall]

Has there ever been any discussion about the University sports ground - The Pavillion as a potential site?

https://www.google.com/maps/@52.5297477,-1.8850098,1886m/data=!3m1!1e3?entry=ttu

Can you imagine trying to get away from there?

[LeeB]

Even further away from existing transport links, and looking over a cemetery.

Though would be handy for funeralled opponents.

[chrisw1]

Has there ever been any discussion about the University sports ground - The Pavillion as a potential site?

https://www.google.com/maps/@52.5297477,-1.8850098,1886m/data=!3m1!1e3?entry=ttu

Can you imagine trying to get away from there?

You're right, no doubt it would be awful - I thought the Alex was bad enough.  But as a sizable chunk of land in the vicinity I thought it would have been in the conversation.

[Brazilian Villain]

Even further away from existing transport links, and looking over a cemetery.

Though would be handy for funeralled opponents.

Doubt we'll move there unless our FFP situation is grave.

[algy]

BCC are skint, do they have any land (or offices we can flatten) they can flog to us?

[Rory]

I was thinking knock down One Stop build a ground with a few shop units on the site too :-)

That could genuinely be a go-er.

A return to Perry Barr.

I think I posited this a while ago, though not in any way claiming originality.

The site is easily big enough, and its only major occupants seem to be Asda and fast food outlets, which presumably would welcome the extra customers.

The existing bus ranks could easily accommodate additional services up and down the A34 to town and Walsall, the A453 to Sutton and the Kingstanding Rd, plus the 11A and 11C.

Still an easy trip by car to the Expressway or to the M6 which links to the M5, M40 and M42 pretty locally.

You'd also have Perry Barr rail station which has recently been upgraded, and the potential for an extension of the Metro line from town. There is tonnes of space on the Northern platform to develop a state of the art station facility for those heading into town.

Then there are a lot of empty flats built for the Commonwealth Games that I imagine investors wouldn't mind cutting their losses on to allow conversion into a hotel or two.

So we'd be boosting our own revenue; retaining the local leisure and retail offer; providing a much-needed hub, improved access and transport provision north of the city; and helping to deliver returns on a currently dead investment.

I think it is close to fully let with over 60 retailers.

It's a good site, but I'd think the investment value of the shopping centre would be far higher than a brownfield elsewhere.

Fair enough, I guess I just don't like One Stop!

[Neil Hawkes]

Move to Bodymoor Heath and build our own HS2 train station at the back end of the field.

Sadly HS2 doesn't go near there any more.

Sheeeeit.

[VILLA MOLE]

Has there ever been any discussion about the University sports ground - The Pavillion as a potential site?

https://www.google.com/maps/@52.5297477,-1.8850098,1886m/data=!3m1!1e3?entry=ttu

looking at that map  I have just seen the Doug Ellis Sports centre ?