{"id":642819,"date":"2025-12-19T19:52:13","date_gmt":"2025-12-19T19:52:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/642819\/"},"modified":"2025-12-19T19:52:13","modified_gmt":"2025-12-19T19:52:13","slug":"villas-fury-at-birminghams-new-stadium","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/642819\/","title":{"rendered":"Villa’s fury at Birmingham’s new stadium"},"content":{"rendered":"

Amid the recent noise around Birmingham City\u2019s proposed 62,000-seater stadium<\/a>, Aston Villa fans have felt as neglected as the city\u2019s bins. <\/p>\n

Around \u00a3400m of public money has been earmarked for a tram extension that would stretch out to and beyond the Blues\u2019 Sports Quarter complex. At Villa Park, however, public transport is not fit for purpose.<\/p>\n

It is a substantial amount of money for a city whose council declared itself effectively bankrupt in 2023<\/a>, implementing widespread service cuts as a result and leading to a 17 per cent rise in council tax for residents over the past two years. Birmingham\u2019s bin strikes gained nationwide publicity with some rats \u201cas big as dogs\u201d.<\/p>\n

In fact it was a \u00a32.4bn injection from the UK Government to the West Midlands, confirmed by Chancellor Rachel Reeves in June, that has allowed Birmingham to move forward with their stadium plans.<\/p>\n

The mayor of the West Midlands, Richard Parker, is regularly the focal point of Villa supporters\u2019 ire given he lobbied and worked closely with Birmingham City co-owner Tom Wagner to get the East Birmingham tram route approved.<\/p>\n

In turn, \u00a325m of that \u00a32.4bn \u2013 one-sixteenth of the money their rivals are benefitting from \u2013 is set to go towards improving Witton Station, the nearest stop to Villa Park, which is small and often overcrowded. <\/p>\n

The i Paper understands further details will be announced in the summer, with the project currently at the design and planning stage.<\/p>\n

\u201cFans have waited long enough,\u201d Parker told The i Paper. <\/p>\n

\u201cQueues and congestion after matches have been a real frustration, and this funding will deliver the action I promised.<\/p>\n

\u201cVilla is a club on the up, on and off the pitch, and their ambition should be matched by our local transport facilities, making a day out at Villa Park a pleasure from start to finish.<\/p>\n

\u201cBetter public transport will also encourage investment in new homes, jobs and other opportunities for the local community, with the benefits felt far beyond just matchdays.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat about Witton?\u201d has been a common response from Villa fans to Birmingham\u2019s extra funding. <\/p>\n

Villa fan Gerard Brand tells The i Paper: \u201cTransport around Villa is so bad fans feel they need to leave the stadium early to get home at a decent hour. A lot of work needs to happen.\u201d<\/p>\n

Why improvements are essential for Villa Park<\/p>\n

Birmingham City\u2019s plans to double their capacity are audacious but tie in with the club\u2019s ambitions to be a Premier League side<\/a> by the time the stadium is completed in 2030.<\/p>\n

The new stadium would become the biggest in the Midlands, making it a direct rival for Villa Park when it comes to hosting international competitions.<\/p>\n

\"TheBirmingham City\u2019s proposed new stadium (Photo: PA)<\/p>\n

Villa Park will stage men\u2019s Euro 2028 matches, the only ground to do so within an 80-mile radius. But as part of the UK\u2019s bid for the Women\u2019s World Cup in 2035, Birmingham are hoping to host matches too. <\/p>\n

Villa should be a 50,000-seater ground by Euro 2028, with an extension of the North Stand and other upgrades set to be completed by the second half of 2027.<\/p>\n

Planning permission was granted for that redevelopment in August, and though it appears to be in direct response to Blues\u2019 plans, Villa\u2019s project has been at least three years in the making.<\/p>\n

Nevertheless, it is a fascinating tit-for-tat as two of Birmingham\u2019s stadiums improve, making the 2035 Women\u2019s World Cup the first of many occasions where the clubs will butt heads.<\/p>\n

\n

The North Stand redevelopment will increase Villa Park\u2019s capacity to over 50,000, without reducing current matchday capacity in the process.<\/p>\n

The enhancements will further modernise the stadium to solidify its status as a world-class sports and entertainment venue. pic.twitter.com\/Xhi76Q1P3s<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) April 24, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Two things Villa fans want<\/p>\n

To truly transform the Villa Park matchday experience, supporters believe better transport links have to be just the start.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe biggest problem I have with Villa Park is the size of the concourses,\u201d Brand adds.<\/p>\n

\u201cSome fans will leave their seat after 35 minutes if they want a half-time beer, and will leave the ground early if they want to avoid queues, meaning they might miss 15 per cent of the game.\u201d<\/p>\n

Improving concourses is on Villa\u2019s to-fix list. They also want to follow the lead set by Tottenham and Brighton & Hove Albion by allowing more time and space to drink before and after matches. <\/p>\n

\t\tYour next read<\/p>\n


\n\t\t\t\"Article <\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cThe Warehouse\u201d will become a hub on matchdays and an event space for non-matchdays, tying in with Birmingham City\u2019s own desire for their stadium to be a year-round destination. There will be a soft launch of this space on Sunday, when Villa host Manchester United<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf Villa win a big game it\u2019s almost flat when you leave because you know you\u2019ve got this horrendous journey home,\u201d Brand adds. <\/p>\n

\u201cIf they kept the concourse open after Arsenal for example [when Villa won 2-1], I would get a beer and celebrate with a load of Villa fans. It prolongs your day and the club get more money. <\/p>\n

\u201cWhere else would you rather be?\u201d<\/p>\n