Chris Heck - President of Business Operations

[FatSam]

I wonder whether Atairos were brought on-board with one big eye on the investment and politicking involved in rebuilding the Witton Lane stand as that's the most difficult side of the ground to overhaul.

Just talking mindlessly here, but looking at OpenStreetMap, the actual area that Spurs' new ground is built on isn't that much bigger than our site.  If we could use the park land on the other side of Witton Lane, it'd be about the same size - you don't get the filled in corners at the Holte End, but the other 3 stands could be the same size, maybe even bigger in the North Stand's case.  I reckon you could get that up to 60k capacity alright if Witton Lane wasn't an issue*

* and as a consequence, the people on Holte Road weren't against it happening, and the people in the local area could be placated from losing some valuable parkland.

I posted this back in the mists of the Redevelopment thread;

I don't think this is feasible without closing Trinity Road. It isn't possible to continue the lower tier of the Trinity Road (or Holte End) stands over the road, because they are too low. This is why the executive boxes in this corner are raised up above the seating in front. This means that there would always be a section of the 'stadium bowl' that could not be completed in this corner. I have always thought that the way the roads cuts into the stadium here is one of the most recognisable features of Villa Park, but it also precludes having a conventional 'stadium bowl', even if the stands span over the road. The road also cuts a swathe through what would be all of the facilities that are needed below a larger stand. That's why I think that if we are getting to the point where this sort of intervention is required to get up to capacity that we need, we might as well move location.

[FatSam]

The other issues are obviously the impact on the setting of a Grade I listed building, and the fact that it would obliterate daylight/ sunlight to a large number of residential properties immediately to the north.

[algy]

I wonder whether Atairos were brought on-board with one big eye on the investment and politicking involved in rebuilding the Witton Lane stand as that's the most difficult side of the ground to overhaul.

Just talking mindlessly here, but looking at OpenStreetMap, the actual area that Spurs' new ground is built on isn't that much bigger than our site.  If we could use the park land on the other side of Witton Lane, it'd be about the same size - you don't get the filled in corners at the Holte End, but the other 3 stands could be the same size, maybe even bigger in the North Stand's case.  I reckon you could get that up to 60k capacity alright if Witton Lane wasn't an issue*

* and as a consequence, the people on Holte Road weren't against it happening, and the people in the local area could be placated from losing some valuable parkland.

I posted this back in the mists of the Redevelopment thread;

I don't think this is feasible without closing Trinity Road. It isn't possible to continue the lower tier of the Trinity Road (or Holte End) stands over the road, because they are too low. This is why the executive boxes in this corner are raised up above the seating in front. This means that there would always be a section of the 'stadium bowl' that could not be completed in this corner. I have always thought that the way the roads cuts into the stadium here is one of the most recognisable features of Villa Park, but it also precludes having a conventional 'stadium bowl', even if the stands span over the road. The road also cuts a swathe through what would be all of the facilities that are needed below a larger stand. That's why I think that if we are getting to the point where this sort of intervention is required to get up to capacity that we need, we might as well move location.

Well, I’d think it’s more that we would use the existing Holte End & Trinity Road stands, but extend the latter round the North & Witton Lane to form a horseshoe. You don’t have to recreate the spurs bowl exactly, just saying that the site is a similar size to Spurs’ if you add in the Witton Lane Gardens.


Then, if it were me, I’d make damn sure the new North Stand looked fancy as hell so you retain that 4 separate stands feel, with the Holte End and North Stand ensuring that regardless of where you approach Villa Park from, you get a view that screams personality at you. Not some kind of identikit bowl, but a proper traditional football stadium with 4 proper stands, that gorgeous brickwork, so in 20 years time all the away fans assume it’s been that way since the 1920s.

[London Villan]

Interesting Emery has backed the support and our concerns over the pricing - no diplomatic swerve by Unai.

[VillaTim]

Interesting Emery has backed the support and our concerns over the pricing - no diplomatic swerve by Unai.

any quotes ?

[London Villan]

He understands and respects the frustrations of the fans.

[Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air]

"The supporters are very important for us - they are the heart of Aston Villa," he said. "They are keeping the history, the supporters. We are involved, the players, owners, coaches, workers. But the supporters too. With their families for a long time they are keeping it and they are important.

"We are increasing and playing another level, we are excited and motivated. I can understand [why] they are not comfortable with increased prices, but hopefully it will be worth it at the end of the season because we have this level and we are keeping it."

"I am aware [of the protests] and I will try tomorrow to focus with our commitment with our supporters," Emery said. "Hopefully they will support us like they have done and hopefully we can connect with them.

"I respect them [the fans] and that they are not agreeing with the situation but we are increasing our level, playing Champions League and more matches. I know the supporters will support us still. I understand if they protest, but hopefully at the season, it'll be worth it. The effort they are doing, I know it and I respect it."

[VillaTim]

He's kind of supported the fans but also said he thinks the price hikes will be worth it as we are playing on a different level. What more can he say he's totally caught in the middle .

[Risso]

Yeah, I thought it was a good politician's answer. He can understand why the fans are upset but at the end of the season he hopes it will be worth it.

[London Villan]

Hardly a ringing endorsement of Heck - he could have said "our focus in in the pitch" etc etc

[Gareth]

Understanding the fans position as regards protests is similar to being told someone is ‘disappointed’ in you rather than bollocking you for something.

The red card thing is going to be very interesting to observe….will it be those determined to protest or will it be those ambivalent to everything or those who will get annoyed that people are protesting during play that win out!

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Great article in the Guardian here, especially the first paragraph:

It was on the fictional island of Isla Nublar somewhere off the Pacific coast where Dr Ian Malcolm, over a spot of lunch in a space-like booth, delivered a lesson in ethics that has felt pertinent in the real world over the past week or so. Until Aston Villa released their eye-popping Champions League ticket prices, a comparison between the club and a cutting line from Jurassic Park would have felt far-fetched. “Your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn’t stop to think if they should,” said Malcolm, played by Jeff Goldblum, as the park’s altruistic founder got giddy at the prospect of bringing dinosaurs back to life.

[djbone]

Understanding the fans position as regards protests is similar to being told someone is ‘disappointed’ in you rather than bollocking you for something.

The red card thing is going to be very interesting to observe….will it be those determined to protest or will it be those ambivalent to everything or those who will get annoyed that people are protesting during play that win out!

I hope Twatter isnt an indictator of how it's going to go. The amount of vitriol aimed at the organisers today on there by "can't pay, don't go" tossers is something else. Disagree with tactics by all means, but to go after people trying to do something to stick up for and represent ordinary Villans is the worst type of 'modern' fan selfishness.

Really hope it's a roaring success.

[UK Redsox]

Anfield was different as they were adding a tier, so they could keep what was already there mainly open. We'd be doing a complete demolition of a stand.

Isn't there also something about us needing to completely rebuild the foundation as well?

Those of us old enough to remember the building of the North Stand may recall the following:
The contractors who did the ground work were alleged to have billed AVFC for enough concrete to build spaghetti junction several times over. It was difficult to argue with this as most of this was supposed to be under the stand.
When the North Stand is demolished/replaced the accuracy of this claim may or may not see the light of day.

Might also find a few things buried….Jimmy Hoffa, Lord Lucan, Shergar, Doctor Tony

[The Edge]

I wonder whether Atairos were brought on-board with one big eye on the investment and politicking involved in rebuilding the Witton Lane stand as that's the most difficult side of the ground to overhaul.

Just talking mindlessly here, but looking at OpenStreetMap, the actual area that Spurs' new ground is built on isn't that much bigger than our site.  If we could use the park land on the other side of Witton Lane, it'd be about the same size - you don't get the filled in corners at the Holte End, but the other 3 stands could be the same size, maybe even bigger in the North Stand's case.  I reckon you could get that up to 60k capacity alright if Witton Lane wasn't an issue*

* and as a consequence, the people on Holte Road weren't against it happening, and the people in the local area could be placated from losing some valuable parkland.

I posted this back in the mists of the Redevelopment thread;

That Spurs ground is shaped like a toilet seat.