Building the stage for magical memories
Working with regional partners and national organisations, we have created a vision for a world-class sports and entertainment venue and thriving community hub at Villa Park.
The Story
Aston Villa Football Club were granted planning approval from Birmingham City Council in December 2022 for phase one of the redevelopment and expansion of Villa Park – to create a world-class sports & entertainment venue and a thriving community hub.
We are delighted to unveil the Club’s updated plans for the redevelopment of the North Stand and its immediate vicinity.
With supporter experience one of the cornerstones of the proposed redevelopment, key updates have been submitted as part of a revised planning application.
A new era for Villa Park.
Villa Park is home to a rich heritage and unique atmosphere that we want to celebrate, expand and enhance.
The redevelopment of Villa Park will not only benefit our fans and players but also make a difference beyond the stadium grounds. To do this, we are developing a wider masterplan for Aston in collaboration with Birmingham City Council and the West Midlands Combined Authority.
We have developed a series of aspirations that underpin this new era for Villa Park, demonstrating what is important to the club, fans, and the local community.
These aspirations are:
- A stadium that is for more than just football
- A catalyst for local regeneration
- An integrated destination for the Midlands
- A dynamic public area for the community
- Inspiring a new generation of football fans
Phase one
The redevelopment project will increase Villa Park’s capacity to over 50,000 and modernise the stadium to create a world-class sports & entertainment venue that can host major international tournaments and compete at the highest level. Villa Park has been shortlisted by the UK and Ireland bid to host the UEFA EURO 2028 Championship.
The area's regeneration will begin with a £100m+ investment in the first phase of improvements to Villa Park. Once operational, the project will contribute an estimated £119.9m to the West Midlands economy each year, creating hundreds of jobs during and post-construction, and attracting 1.65m visitors to the local area annually.
The key elements of phase one involve:
- A brand-new North Stand wrapping into Trinity Stand.
- Enhancements to the existing Trinity Stand.
- The creation of a new multi-use space called ‘The Warehouse’ which will include a new Fan Zone destination. It will also offer a dynamic event space and community use on non-matchdays.
- Redevelopment of the Witton Lane entrance to create over 6,500 sqm of new public space around the North Stand to improve accessibility, biodiversity, safety, and the overall experience for fans, visitors, and the local community.
- A new, two-story club shop will be located on the northeast corner, facing Witton Lane, while the area around the new stand will feature an enlarged arrival plaza with room for street food vendors and outdoor activations.
- In minor updates to the original plans for the New North Stand and Trinity Stand improvement, there will be enhanced facilities integrated into the northwest corner focusing on supporter and visitor experience on match and non-matchdays.
The masterplan
A vital component of the redevelopment plan is substantially improving the transport system around Aston. We are already working in partnership on this with the West Midlands Combined Authority and West Midlands Rail Executive, who have recently commissioned a feasibility design study to establish the upgrades required and ensure Witton Station meets the future demands of the community and increased visitation to Villa Park, Aston Hall and Aston Park.
Next Steps
We continue to work closely with all stakeholders to ensure the elements of the project which Aston Villa does not control, such as transport system and infrastructure works, are prioritised to ensure the best outcome for our fans, the local community, the city and the wider region. Developments in these sectors will be key to confirming a timeframe and the sequencing of Villa Park works.
FAQs
Your questions answered on stadium expansion, North Stand and Villa Live redevelopment...
When will construction begin, and how long will the work last?
The Club will continue to work closely with all stakeholders to ensure the elements of the project, such as transport system and infrastructure works, are prioritised to ensure the best outcome for our fans, local community, the city and the wider region. Progress in these sectors will be key to confirming a timeframe and the sequencing of Villa Park works. The anticipated duration of construction is expected to last around 24 months.
What is happening with Brookvale?
We're in the closing stages of construction work on Brookvale, the new site for our Academy, located at the current staff car park between Tame Road and Witton Road. The project will feature two 3G football pitches, car parking, changing rooms and a parents' lounge. The new site will also be available for the local community to use and will support the work of our Foundation. It is due to open at the end of summer 2023.
What would the next phase of the redevelopment be?
We want our plans to make a difference beyond Villa Park, so we are developing a wider masterplan for Aston in collaboration with Birmingham City Council and the West Midlands Combined Authority.
Construction is almost complete on our new Brookvale Academy site, with the next phase being upgrades to the new North Stand, Trinity Road Stand, and 'The Warehouse'.
The wider masterplan development will focus on how we can be a catalyst for local regeneration and transformation, supporting the local high street and our community, in addition to identifying further refurbishment works and capacity uplifts to the other two stands.
What capacity will the stadium be upon completion of the redevelopment?
Our long-term vision is for the capacity to reach over 52,500 to firmly put Aston Villa on the world’s stage and host major entertainment events and international tournaments. During our first phase of the redevelopment, the new North Stand and the enhancements to Trinity Stand will increase seated capacity to more than 50,000.
Will there be more places to eat and drink in the redeveloped stadium?
To elevate and improve the overall fan experience at Villa Park, we are enhancing our hospitality venues and offerings to create a world-leading venue all year round.
Phase one will include an upgraded food and beverage offering in an increased concourse space for general admission (GA), then several new hospitality lounges and boxes, and the creation of a new level of hospitality – Bronze (GA+). There will also be a range of different food and drink offerings in The Warehouse.
What are you doing to address transport concerns in the area?
A vital component of the redevelopment plan is to substantially improve the transport system around the B6 area, and we continue to work collaboratively with key partners and stakeholders to achieve this. We are already working in partnership with the West Midlands Combined Authority and West Midlands Rail Executive, who have recently commissioned a feasibility design study to establish the upgrades required and ensure Witton Station meets the future demands of the community and increased visitation to Villa Park, Aston Hall and Aston Park.
How will the redevelopment affect me as a local resident? Will the works be noisy?
A Construction Environmental Management Plan (CEMP) will be produced and implemented by the appointed contractor, which sets out how the construction approach will minimise the impact of the works on people and the environment.
It will include details on the management of any waste materials produced, the impact of the works on the quality of the air and soil, the noise produced, and the impact of heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) on site. The document will identify how these impacts will be managed and reduced where possible.
An additional Noise Impact Assessment will also be conducted to understand what impact the redevelopment will have on noise levels once complete. We recognise that Villa Park is in a residential area and will work closely with the appointed contractor to minimise the impact on the local community.
How will the increased traffic during the construction be managed?
We are working closely with Birmingham City Council to ensure that any traffic impacts from the development are minimised and that we consider how people can access the stadium most effectively and sustainably in future.
We expect a slight increase in HGVs and traffic whilst construction is underway. Although we currently do not know what those numbers will be, we will develop a Transport Statement to identify our approach to mitigating the impacts. This will identify potential methods to reduce the impact on the area's road network and residential streets.
How will matchday parking be affected during construction?
Much of the construction work will be at Villa Park itself and will primarily affect those with reserved stadium parking places. We will plan how and where we relocate the car park before removal from the stadium, and this will be relayed to those affected at the appropriate time. The aim will be to ensure that any increase in street parking because of construction is as minimal as possible.
I am a season ticket holder in the North Stand. What will happen to my seat when the redevelopment is underway?
As an ongoing process, the club will continue to consult fans to determine the best solution for North Stand season ticket holders.
What are the plans for disabled seating sections?
Throughout the decision-making process, improving accessibility has been central to our plans. We are still in the process of finalising the design of the interior seating bowl of the new North Stand. Any initial and temporary displacement of wheelchair users will be managed to a minimum, with the end goal of providing fans with a significantly increased and improved accessible seating arrangement bringing better seats, variety, and a choice of spaces to allow optimal enjoyment in a safe space on match days.
How sustainable will the project be? Have you thought about the environmental impact?
The redevelopment of Villa Park will be socially and environmentally responsible, incorporating sustainable design principles throughout phase one and the wider masterplan.
We will identify opportunities to reduce our environmental impact, including sourcing local, recycled materials, having more green space and planting on the grounds, and using efficient machinery on site. Reports on our sustainability and energy design approach have been submitted as part of our planning application. They will reflect the guidelines, standards and policies required at national, regional, and local levels.
We are committed to delivering environmental benefits for the community and wider city, which will be delivered throughout the construction and operation of the project.
How do I get in touch?
If you have any questions and you want to contact us, please send us your questions to: engagement@avfc.co.uk