Villa Park – design description

What is the Villa Park redevelopment project in a nutshell?

The redevelopment of Villa Park is to include, first and foremost, the expansion of the stand behind the north goal, which will increase the stadium's capacity to more than 50,000 spectators. The work is to proceed without reducing the current number of spectator seats.

The expansion is expected to be completed in the second half of 2027. This is important because of the Euro 2028, which is to be held in Great Britain and Ireland, and one of the tournament's venues is to be Villa Park.

The entire area in front of the north stand will also undergo revitalization. The plan is to renovate the building that already exists at the site and create what is known as The Warehouse, a large pub and a gathering place for fans during matches.

How did the redevelopment plans for Villa Park come about?

Villa Park underwent its last major redevelopment between 2000 and 2001, when a new west stand, much larger than the previous one, was built from scratch. Since then, there has been talk of further expansion, and there was even a plan to rebuild the north stand in the same way as the west stand, but it has not materialized.

In 2016 Aston Villa FC, after many years in the Premier League, was relegated to the Championship. After another three seasons, however, the team returned to the Premier League, prompting a surge in interest in season tickets, as well as hospitality packages.

In response to demand, new plans for the stadium's expansion emerged, and public consultations were held. The first renderings appeared in August 2022, with the concept prepared by Grimshaw studio in cooperation with Trivandi.

What were the initial plans for the redevelopment of Villa Park?

The main idea behind the planned expansion was to demolish the stand behind the north goal, which was built between 1976 and 1977, and then build a completely new, larger and more modern stand in its place. With the construction of the new stand, the number of seats in the stadium was to increase by more than 7,000, so that the total capacity would exceed 50,000 spectators.

The project also included changes to the west stand and the entire surroundings of the stadium, including the reconstruction of the entrance from Witton Lane to the area in front of the north stand. The plaza in front of the stand was to include an open space for fans, while the further northern section of the site was to receive new parking areas.

An important part of the initially presented concept was a new building, the so-called Villa Live, to serve as a retail and entertainment space and a meeting place for the local community. Among other things, it was planned to include a new club store and a museum. The building was to occupy part of the area in front of the north stand.

What changes have taken place in the Villa Park expansion project?

What changes came with the first update of the Villa Park expansion plans (in 2023)?

In July 2023, the club published an updated concept, in which the project was truncated from the Villa Live building, which had been planned to be built in front of the north stand.

What will The Warehouse be?

The alternative to Villa Live is to preserve the old academy building stretching along Witton Lane, which was originally intended to be demolished. The building is to be renovated to serve as a meeting place for fans and an event center, allowing for various events and even the creation of a small football field inside.

In the so-called The Warehouse, a pub will operate, and fans are to be able to watch matches. The building is also to house new administrative rooms, relocated from the north stand. In February 2025, it was reported that The Warehouse project should be completed by the end of 2025.

What changes did the second update of Villa Park expansion plans (in 2025) bring?

In April 2025, the club revealed new plans: the north stand will not be demolished and built anew, but only expanded based on the existing structure.

What does the Villa Park expansion project entail?

The project primarily concerns the expansion of the stand behind the north goal. Its capacity is to increase from 5,000 to 12,000 spectators, and the capacity of the entire stadium will increase to over 50,000 people.

The work is to be carried out in such a way that the number of available seats will not have to be reduced during the season. The expanded stand is expected to be ready in the second half of 2027 – before Euro 2028, whose matches are also to be played at Villa Park.