Villa and Blues sports projects ‘will put city on the map’
News of the approval of Villa Park’s expansion plan was met with optimism for Birmingham’s future among Villa supporters and rival fans.
The club is set to add nearly 6,000 seats to the North Stand, taking the stadium’s capacity to almost 49,000.
A council report said the club’s revised vision was to “adapt, reuse and expand” the existing stand rather than demolish it, as had been previously planned.
The plans are set to “modernise the stadium’s surroundings” while also bringing in huge economic benefits for the club, city and region.
There are also major plans elsewhere in the city in the form of Birmingham City’s huge Sports Quarter regeneration project, which includes proposals for a new stadium.
The Villa Park plan approval sparked a wave of excitement among the club’s fans and even a number of Blues supporters, who recognised both projects could boost Brum’s profile.
“As a Bluenose it will be fantastic for the city,” Dave Atkins said. “With the Sports Quarter from the Blues and a 50k stadium, it will put us on the map above Manchester.”
Blues fan Tom Waters said: “It is what the city of Brum deserves, we have been overlooked by Manchester for far too long.
“It has to be good for our city, take rivalry aside for a minute.”
Rich Green agreed, saying: “It can only be a good thing for both clubs making people take notice of the second city.”
Villa fans welcomed the planning committee’s decision, with Jon Hart writing on X, formerly Twitter: “The Warehouse, North Stand, and new sponsorships combined are going to generate a really nice revenue uptick for us, I’m convinced of it.
“The water is choppy right now, but it will calm. We are lucky to have Emery and co steering the ship.”
Grant Adams wrote on Facebook: “For the founding football club of our city and more important the club that founded the English football league, it’s going to be a stadium fit for its grand heritage.”
“This is fantastic news and very exciting times for the club and fans, making the iconic Villa Park one of the country’s largest and most recognised stadiums,” one reader said.
“Hopefully the work can begin and the commitments that have been made today will be fully honoured by West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker,” another added.
But there was also an acknowledgement among some fans that transport around the stadium needed to be addressed.
“Villa Park is one of the most iconic stadiums in the country and B6 is our forever home,” a reader wrote.
“We desperately need some joined-up thinking and possibly government funding to sort out the travel infrastructure.
“What we have now is not fit for the biggest club in the second city of the UK.”
On matchday travel, the club has said it is committed to providing a “suite of measures” as part of the North Stand planning application.
These include improved off-site, off-street parking; improved bus services; improvements to rail services and increased cycle facilities.
West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker has also confirmed funding to deliver improvements at nearby Witton Station.
Following the decision by the planning committee, Mr Parker said: “Huge congrats to Aston Villa – another of the region’s footballing giants going from strength to strength.
“This is a massive step towards making Villa Park a world-class stadium and a top venue for the 2028 Euros.
“And the good news doesn’t stop there. We’ve got funding to upgrade Witton Station and we’re working closely with the club and our rail partners to make sure fans get the great train arrival they deserve.
Coun Lee Marsham, chair of the planning committee, described Aston Villa as an “anchor institution” in Birmingham during Thursday’s meeting.
“I think the success for both the club and the city go hand in hand,” he said.
A council report, published prior to the meeting, said the North Stand plans would complete a vision “that ensures Villa Park is not only a top-tier football stadium but also a year-round destination for fans and the local community”.
The expansion of the stand is also required due to Birmingham being named as a host city for the European Championships in 2028.
“It is estimated the tournament will generate almost £190 million of socio-economic benefits for Birmingham and the wider West Midlands,” the report added.
