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Scottish Sun
24-04-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Premier League club announce plans to expand stadium with new stand and concert venue boosting capacity to over 50,000
A PREMIER LEAGUE club has announced plans to expand its stadium capacity to over 50,000. Aston Villa currently play at Villa Park which boasts a capacity of 42,918. 8 Aston Villa have announced plans to expand the North Stadn at Villa Park Credit: Aston Villa FC 8 The work will raise the capacity of the stand to 12,000 Credit: Aston Villa FC 8 The total capacity of Villa Park will rise to over 50,000 Credit: Aston Villa FC 8 The club have claimed there will be more space and faster service Credit: Aston Villa FC The West Midlands club are now planning on redeveloping the North Stand to boost its capacity. The club has announced plans that will refurbish and expand the number of seats in the iconic stand. The North Stand is planned to have its capacity raised from 5,000 to 12,000. This increase will see the club's total capacity rise to over 50,000, making it one of the largest in the Premier League. READ MORE ON SPORT GROUND DESIGNS Three-time English title winners to construct one of UK's biggest stadiums Plans for expansion were first announced but were postponed despite being approved by Birmingham City Council. Work is expected to be completed in 2027 ahead of Euro 2028 in which Villa Park is a host venue. The club have stated that the work will "further modernise the stadium" and will "solidify its status as a world-class sports and entertainment venue." A video shared on social media by the club claims that the stand will offer more space and faster service and a better fan experience. JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS As well as the stand being refurbished, Villa are also be opening a new club shop. Villa's executive chairman Nassef Sawiris said: "Since Wes [Edens] and I became owners of this storied club in 2018 and Atairos joined us as partners in 2024, we have shared a clear ambition: to restore Aston Villa to its rightful position competing at the highest levels of English and European football, and to transform the club into a global brand and European powerhouse. Heartwarming moment Matty Cash's reporter sister tells him she loves him after Aston Villa's PSG defeat 8 The work is expected to be completed in time for Euro 2028 Credit: Aston Villa FC 8 The North Stand currently holds just 5,000 Credit: Getty 8 Villa have played at the historic ground since 1897 Credit: Aston Villa FC 8 Nassef Sawiris [R] has insisted that the work will help the club's ability to compete Credit: Getty "Thanks to the Mayor's commitment to develop Witton Station and to improve local transport links, this project will mark an important milestone in the club's journey to becoming a world-class sports and entertainment venue. "A bigger, better North Stand will not only allow many more Villans to see their team in person, improving matchday experience, but will also dramatically improve the club's ability to invest and compete in the long term." The club has also stated that it will be able to "adapt and modernise" the North Stand without losing any seasons during the season. In December, the club also revealed it will be building the Premier League's largest beer hall. The multi-million pound renovation project, planned to launch this Christmas, will feature a centrepiece named 'The Warehouse'. It will become the largest beer hall in the Prem and access will be free to ticketed supporters on matchday.
The Irish Sun
24-04-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Premier League club announce plans to expand stadium with new stand and concert venue boosting capacity to over 50,000
A PREMIER LEAGUE club has announced plans to expand its stadium capacity to over 50,000. Advertisement 8 Aston Villa have announced plans to expand the North Stadn at Villa Park Credit: Aston Villa FC 8 The work will raise the capacity of the stand to 12,000 Credit: Aston Villa FC 8 The total capacity of Villa Park will rise to over 50,000 Credit: Aston Villa FC 8 The club have claimed there will be more space and faster service Credit: Aston Villa FC The The club has announced plans that will refurbish and expand the number of seats in the iconic stand. The North Stand is planned to have its capacity raised from 5,000 to 12,000. This increase will see the club's total capacity rise to over 50,000, making it one of the largest in the Premier League. Advertisement READ MORE ON SPORT Plans for expansion were first announced but were postponed despite being approved by Birmingham City Council. Work is expected to be completed in 2027 ahead of Euro 2028 in which Villa Park is a host venue. The club have stated that the work will "further modernise the stadium" and will "solidify its status as a world-class sports and entertainment venue." A video shared on social media by the club claims that the stand will offer more space and faster service and a better fan experience. Advertisement Most read in Football Exclusive JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS As well as the stand being refurbished, Villa are also be opening a new club shop. Villa's executive chairman Nassef Sawiris said: "Since Wes [Edens] and I became owners of this storied club in 2018 and Atairos joined us as partners in 2024, we have shared a clear ambition: to restore Aston Villa to its rightful position competing at the highest levels of English and European football, and to transform the club into a global brand and European powerhouse. Heartwarming moment Matty Cash's reporter sister tells him she loves him after Aston Villa's PSG defeat 8 The work is expected to be completed in time for Euro 2028 Credit: Aston Villa FC Advertisement 8 The North Stand currently holds just 5,000 Credit: Getty 8 Villa have played at the historic ground since 1897 Credit: Aston Villa FC 8 Nassef Sawiris [R] has insisted that the work will help the club's ability to compete Credit: Getty "Thanks to the Mayor's commitment to develop Witton Station and to improve local transport links, this project will mark an important milestone in the club's journey to becoming a world-class sports and entertainment venue. Advertisement "A bigger, better North Stand will not only allow many more Villans to see their team in person, improving matchday experience, but will also dramatically improve the club's ability to invest and compete in the long term." The club has also stated that it will be able to "adapt and modernise" the North Stand without losing any seasons during the season. In December, the club also revealed it will be The multi-million pound renovation project, planned to launch this Christmas, will feature a centrepiece named 'The Warehouse'. Advertisement It will become the largest beer hall in the Prem and access will be free to ticketed supporters on matchday. Top 10 biggest Premier League grounds Here are the biggest grounds in the Premier League in their current state.. Old Trafford - 75,653 London Stadium -- 62,500 Tottenham Hotspur Stadium - 62,06 Anfield - 61,276 Emirates Stadium- 60,704 Etihad Stadium - 55,097 St James' Park - 52,338 Villa Park - 42,660 Stamford Bridge - 41,798 Goodison Park - 39,571
ITV News
24-04-2025
- Sport
- ITV News
Aston Villa expansion plans will take full stadium capacity to more than 50,000
Aston Villa have announced plans to expand the seating in Villa Park's North Stand to more than 12,000 - giving the stadium an overall capacity of more than 50,000. It's part of the North Ground regeneration plans and is expected be completed ahead of the 2028 European Championship tournament, where the ground will be a host venue. The plans will see the adaption and reuse of the existing North Stand structure for the expansion, meaning the capacity for Villa Park will not decrease at any time during construction. The club says these changes, alongside other improvements to the North Grounds, are designed to deliver the best matchday experience for Aston Villa's fans and create a community hub. Nassef Sawiris, executive chairman of Aston Villa FC, said: 'Since Wes and I became owners of this storied Club in 2018 and Atairos joined us as partners in 2024, we have shared a clear ambition: to restore Aston Villa to its rightful position competing at the highest levels of English and European football, and to transform the Club into a global brand and European powerhouse. "Thanks to the Mayor's commitment to develop Witton Station and to improve local transport links, this project will mark an important milestone in the Club's journey to becoming a world-class sports and entertainment venue. "A bigger, better North Stand will not only allow many more Villans to see their team in person, improving matchday experience, but will also dramatically improve the Club's ability to invest and compete in the long term." Aston Villa first announced its plans for an expanded North Stand in 2022, when a full rebuild of the North Stand was proposed. They said any increase to capacity would also run in tandem with improvements to the area's transport network. The club has suggested improvements including replacing the current station passenger shelters, introducing larger and safer queuing systems, delivering a new station footbridge and introducing higher capacity trains in order to double the current passenger handling capability of the station to 10,000 passengers per match day. Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, said: 'Aston Villa is a vital part of our region's identity and I'm proud to support the club's ambitious plans to redevelop the North Stand. "Their long-standing commitment to Aston and the wider community is clear – not just through this redevelopment, but through investment in The Warehouse, community facilities, job creation and the Aston Villa Foundation. "We have been working closely with the club, Network Rail and other partners to ensure the necessary improvements at Witton Station will be made in time for the Euros in 2028. "I am fully committed to securing upgrades including safer queuing systems, new passenger shelters, a new footbridge and higher capacity services, so we can double the station's handling capacity and deliver a world-class experience for fans arriving at Villa Park during the tournament and beyond.' The club's gross contribution to the local economy will reach £120 million per year, including supporting more than 1,700 Full-Time Equivalent jobs and attracting more than 1.1 million visitors to Villa Park each year. Chris Heck, president of business operations at Aston Villa FC, said: 'Aston Villa fans have been electrifying Villa Park for generations, charging the atmosphere with unrivalled intensity at every home match for more than 125 years. "Thanks to the hard work and collaboration of an exceptional team, we will now be able to offer this incredible experience to thousands more, all while meeting the key challenge of executing this project without compromising matchday capacity during the process. "From fully revamping our retail and hospitality facilities, the impending opening of our new shop in the Bull Ring, to hosting world class music acts at Villa Park, the upcoming launch of The Warehouse, and now the expansion of the North Stand – our Ownership continues to demonstrate its unwavering commitment to making this one of the best clubs in the world, deservedly, both on and off the pitch.'
Business Wire
24-04-2025
- Sport
- Business Wire
Aston Villa Announce Redevelopment of the Iconic North Stand to Elevate the Fan Experience
BIRMINGHAM, England--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aston Villa Football Club today announced plans to refurbish and expand seat capacity in the iconic North Stand. As the latest instalment of the North Ground regeneration plans, the North Stand expansion emphasises Villa's commitment to levelling up the fan experience whilst becoming a world-class sports and entertainment venue. The redevelopment will increase the number of seats available in the North Stand to over 12,000. Combined with ongoing upgrades to Villa Park's other three stands, total capacity at Villa Park will increase to over 50,000. The stadium renovation will be completed in H2 2027, ahead of the UEFA EURO 2028 Tournament that Villa Park will be a host venue for. Championing a sustainable approach, Aston Villa FC will adapt and reuse the existing North Stand structure for the expansion. This innovative approach ensures that the capacity for Villa Park will not decrease at any time during construction, mitigating disruption to fans throughout the process. These changes, alongside other improvements to the North Grounds, are designed to deliver the best matchday experience for Aston Villa's fans and create a thriving community hub. Aston Villa first announced its plans for an expanded North Stand in 2022, when a full rebuild of the North Stand was proposed. The Club has always been clear that increases to the capacity of the stadium must be done in tandem with improvements to the local transport network. Since the expansion plans were announced in 2022, Mayor Richard Parker has committed in his campaign manifesto to rebuild Witton Station. Improvements we have suggested include replacing the current station passenger shelters, introducing larger and safer queuing systems, delivering a new station footbridge and introducing higher capacity trains in order to double the current passenger handling capability of the station to 10,000 passengers per matchday. This commitment from the mayor to develop the station would not only allow Aston Villa to press ahead with the North Stand redevelopment, it also importantly means stronger travel links between Aston and Birmingham City Centre for the local community, Aston Villa fans, and visitors. Without that commitment we will be unable to proceed with this project and furthermore would need to reexamine whether we would be able to continue as a Euro 2028 host venue. Through a robust design process, Aston Villa has found a way to adapt and modernise the existing structure of the North Stand without losing any seats during the season. With disruption to current fans mitigated, Aston Villa is able to move forward with the planning process. Nassef Sawiris, Executive Chairman of Aston Villa FC, said: 'Since Wes and I became owners of this storied Club in 2018 and Atairos joined us as partners in 2024, we have shared a clear ambition: to restore Aston Villa to its rightful position competing at the highest levels of English and European football, and to transform the Club into a global brand and European powerhouse. Thanks to the Mayor's commitment to develop Witton Station and to improve local transport links, this project will mark an important milestone in the Club's journey to becoming a world-class sports and entertainment venue. A bigger, better North Stand will not only allow many more Villans to see their team in person, improving matchday experience, but will also dramatically improve the Club's ability to invest and compete in the long term." With the proposed redevelopment of the North Stand, the Club's gross contribution to the local economy will reach £120 million per year, including supporting over 1,700 Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) jobs and attracting over 1.1 million visitors to Villa Park each year. The Club has remained steadfast in its commitment to the local community and the wider Aston Villa family, continuing to invest in its facilities, including the new club shop and Warehouse, and community projects such as the Birmingham Inner City Academy. Through the club's official Foundation, Aston Villa has delivered projects and activities in and around Birmingham to promote sport, health, wellbeing, education and inclusive opportunities. During the 2023/24 season, the Inner City Academy supported over 5,700 unique participants, demonstrating Aston Villa's ongoing efforts to cater to the needs of local residents, community members and fans. Chris Heck, President of Business Operations at Aston Villa FC, said: 'Aston Villa fans have been electrifying Villa Park for generations, charging the atmosphere with unrivalled intensity at every home match for more than 125 years. Thanks to the hard work and collaboration of an exceptional team, we will now be able to offer this incredible experience to thousands more, all while meeting the key challenge of executing this project without compromising matchday capacity during the process. From fully revamping our retail and hospitality facilities, the impending opening of our new shop in the Bull Ring, to hosting world class music acts at Villa Park, the upcoming launch of The Warehouse, and now the expansion of the North Stand – our Ownership continues to demonstrate its unwavering commitment to making this one of the best clubs in the world, deservedly, both on and off the pitch.' Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, said: 'Aston Villa is a vital part of our region's identity and I'm proud to support the club's ambitious plans to redevelop the North Stand. Their long-standing commitment to Aston and the wider community is clear – not just through this redevelopment, but through investment in The Warehouse, community facilities, job creation and the Aston Villa Foundation. We have been working closely with the club, Network Rail and other partners to ensure the necessary improvements at Witton Station will be made in time for the Euros in 2028. I am fully committed to securing upgrades including safer queuing systems, new passenger shelters, a new footbridge and higher capacity services, so we can double the station's handling capacity and deliver a world-class experience for fans arriving at Villa Park during the tournament and beyond.' Expanding matchday capacity is aligned with Aston Villa's vision for strategic growth. The increased seating will not only enable more Aston Villa fans to come to every game but will also bolster the club's diverse revenue streams by increasing ticket availability for live entertainment events at Villa Park. About Aston Villa Football Club Founded in 1874, Aston Villa Football Club is a founding member of the Football League and a leading institution in the English game. One of only five English clubs to have been crowned champions of Europe, the team has historically enjoyed exceptional success domestically, including seven First Division Championships, seven FA Cup titles, and five Football League Cups. A club of the future, AVFC is committed to innovating technologically, on and off the pitch, providing best in-class experience for fans and leading the football industry for best practice. United behind the club values of Pride, Passion and Purpose, Aston Villa Football Club continually thrives to push the boundaries of what a football club should be.
Forbes
20-04-2025
- Sport
- Forbes
Marcus Rashford Humiliates Manchester United And Arsenal
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - APRIL 05: Marcus Rashford of Aston Villa reacts during the Premier League ... More match between Aston Villa FC and Nottingham Forest FC at Villa Park on April 05, 2025 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Neville Williams/Aston Villa FC via Getty Images) Ollie Watkins was raging. After watching Aston Villa fend off a $53 million bid from Arsenal in January and sell its only serious rival for his position up front in Jhon Duran, he found himself benched for both games of the club's Champions League Semi Final clash with Paris Saint-Germain. These are the moments the 29-year-old England forward has been striving for since he emerged as a young talent with Exeter City over a decade ago. They are also ones he must feel he deserves, considering how much he has contributed to the Birmingham side in reaching the latter stages of the competition. Yet he could only watch for most of the two games as his team toiled to defeat. 'I played 20 minutes against PSG in both games. I am not going to lie, I was fuming that I wasn't playing - I let [manager Unai Emery] 'He's the manager; you have to respect his decision, [but] I am not one of these players happy to sit on the bench. 'It is something I have not experienced before, to miss out on the biggest stage. I wanted to be out on the pitch for much longer. I have played a big part to get to where we are today and I want to play in those games.' Elevated back to the starting lineup for the subsequent Premier League game against Newcastle United, he channeled his disappointment in the right manner, scoring within a minute and assisting another goal in a resounding 4-1 victory. After the dominant display, Watkins suggested he'd given his manager a selection headache. 'I'm banging on the door asking why I'm not playing,' he added. 'Since I have been at Villa, a lot of fans would say it is the best squad we have had. 'The signings we made in January, players like [Marcus] In response, the ever-calm Emery embraced his striker's attitude. BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - APRIL 19: Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa celebrates after scoring their 1st goal ... More during the Premier League match between Aston Villa FC and Newcastle United FC at Villa Park on April 19, 2025 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images) 'It's fantastic to be angry and fantastic for him to play like he did [against Newcastle].' He told the media. The reason for Watkins' omission is quite simple: Marcus Rashford, who signed on loan from Manchester United when Duran left, has been superb. His form has been so strong that few would argue with Emery's decision to pick the Mancunian ahead of Watkins for the games against PSG or dispute the decision in the aftermath. Although Villa ultimately fell short across the two legs, Rashford was electric in the game at Villa Park when fightback nearly saw the Villains take the game to extra time. Watching from the stands, former Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney was one of many in awe. 'I have to say, I have to give a massive shout-out to Marcus Rashford,' he said postgame, 'I thought he was fantastic, the Rashford we've seen over the years. 'His skill, his ability, getting at players, driving at players and then his awareness to pull the ball back.' Perhaps unsurprisingly, given his previous associations, Rooney was not hoping that Rashford would continue turning in such displays, but not in Birmingham. 'I hope he goes back to Manchester United and performs like he did today,' he added. 'That's what we all want to see as United fans. He wants to play for Manchester United, 100 percent.' The narrative around Rashford's move to Villa is that it is his last shot. But the surprising truth is that he is two years younger than Watkins. Beginning your career as a teenage sensation at Manchester United rather than Exeter City clearly influences how people perceive you. But the overwhelming perception for the past two years has been that Watkins is in the ascendency and Rashford is stuttering. You only have to look at the suitors the pair had in January. Title-challenging Arsenal were vying for Watkins, while Rashford's only real option was Villa. The embarrassment for Manchester United letting a striker leave who then is the star in a Champions League tie against elite opposition is obvious. But, equally, there should be red faces in the Emirates. Overlooking Rashford for Watkins now looks like a major opportunity missed. Would he have narrowed the gap to Liverpool in the title race? And, given they thought Raheem Sterling was worth a punt on loan, was this not an absolute no-brainer? Currently, it is Aston Villa that can afford the smug grin. If they let Watkins leave for a high price in the summer and replace him with Rashford, then they'll be swapping a talented forward reaching the end of his peak years with a younger man of greater pedigree. That might sound ridiculous to some, given Watkins' career has been on an upward trajectory. But that's what we need to remember: a trajectory. The former Brentford man came from a lower starting point, and his improvements were more striking. But that did not automatically make him better than Rashford, who has always operated at the highest level. So many have been blinded by the performance curve, which shows how careful we must be when placing too much weight on the narratives surrounding players. Sometimes, they obscure the bigger picture. What's remarkable is that in an age of data and cold, hard facts, the perceptions around Rashford and Watkins appear to have influenced the thinking at two of England's biggest clubs.
