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Aston Villa FC
Villa Park
The Ground
The stadium has been completely rebuilt since
the late 1970's, making it one of the better in the League. The
Holte End is a large two tiered structure, opened in the 1994/95
season and holds 13,500 supporters. The other end, the North Stand,
is older (built in the late 1970's), but
still modern looking. This is two tiered, with a double row of
executive boxes running across the middle. On one side of the pitch
is the Doug Ellis stand, which again is two tiered and is roughly
the same height as the other two stands. This stand
was opened prior to the European Championships, in 1996, in which
Villa Park was a host. Opposite is the latest edition. The
three tiered Trinity Road Stand, complete with a row of executive
boxes was opened in 2001. Although many fans were disappointed to
see the old Trinity Road Stand go, I think its replacement gives the
ground a more overall balanced look, because the new stand, although
the largest at Villa Park, has roughly the same roof level as the
other three sides. There are also two large video screens installed
in opposite corners of the ground.
An unusual feature is that between the
Trinity Road & Holte End Stands is a pavilion type structure that was
built at the same time as the Trinity Road. This three tiered
building is used for corporate hospitality. On the
other side of the Holte End is another similar looking structure
that is used for police control. The only disappointment with
Villa Park is that the corners of the ground are open, however there
are plans to fill in the corners at the North Stand end of the
ground (see below).
Future
Ground Developments
The Club have received
planning permission to re-develop the North
Stand. This would involve building a new stand that
would extend around the current open corners at that end of the
stadium. There are currently no firm timescales as to
when this will take place, although it is rumoured that the Club may
begin works at the end of the 2011/12 season. When completed the
capacity of Villa Park will be increased to 51,000.
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