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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. However there are currently no firm
timescales as to when this will take place. When completed the capacity of
Villa Park will be increased to 51,000.
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