Aston Villa

Aston Villa reveal new North Stand stance and plans for Villa Park expansion

Published

6 months ago

December 28, 2023

Aston Villa intend to begin working on upgrading Villa Park ‘as soon as possible’ – while alternative options to the idea f rebuilding the North Stand are now being explored, according to the minutes from the recent Fan Advisory Board (FAB) meeting.

Villa’s President Business Operations Chris Heck gave an interview to the club’s in-house

channel before Christmas in which he detailed that the plans to demolish and redevelop the North Stand were currently a ‘bad idea’ as it would’ve reduced the

stadium’s capacity significantly for next season, at a time when Villa are hoping to welcome a higher calibre of European opponent to Birmingham.

Now, though, via the FAB minutes shared by My Old Man Said – from a meeting attended by

Heck himself – Villa have detailed plans in the long run to increase the ground’s capacity by as many as 3,000 seats as it currently is,

without the need to knock down the North Stand. Meanwhile the ground as a whole will be upgraded so that user experience on a match-day significantly improves.

Why won’t Villa currently push through with plans to increase the capacity more significantly? At this moment in time, an explanation

given is that they’re not routinely selling out Premier League and Europa Conference League matches and so the implementing of more seats is not justified right now.

Whilst the plans for the North Stand have been announced as being on hold, the commitment to improve facilities across the stadium will begin as soon as possible,” the club representatives at the meeting outlined.

“For clarity, rumours on social media suggesting that this decision will result in a new stadium elsewhere are entirely false.

Moving away from Villa Park is not part of any plans.

“To increase capacity, we can change the seating layout in some areas to add approximately 2 to 3,000 seats.

Any increase in seat numbers will clearly need to be aligned with improvements to concourse, toilets, food & beverage provision etc.

Our owners will be investing significantly into upgrading facilities across Villa Park.

We are working closely with UEFA and the FA with regards to Euro 2028.”

In response to the revealing of these plans and the new stance taken by the club on the North Stand, the FAB representatives present replied:

“The club statement on the redevelopment plans being ‘on hold’ is not the messaging received at the meeting.

Instead, it was strongly communicated that the North Stand will no longer be replaced and instead gradual capacity increases to the stadium will be implemented (beginning this summer).

“A bowl structure mechanic is being explored. A strong reasoning given for the change in redevelopment plans is that Villa Park is not selling out.

Average 200 unsold for Premier League games, and no sell outs for European games.

It was communicated that the money now not being used for the redevelopment is being focused on areas, including Bodymoor Heath

redevelopment for both the Aston Villa men’s and women’s teams and player salaries.”