Aston Villa and the 900 fans - what happens next as bigger Villa Park project explained

Many Aston Villa fans felt they were left in the dark after finding out that they had been displaced at Villa Park shortly before the season ticket renewal window opened last Monday.

It has left some supporters rows away from family members and friends as the club increases the capacity of the stadium by roughly 400 seats. The redevelopment of Villa Park has resulted in the displacement of approximately 900 existing season tickets in the North, Doug Ellis and Trinity Road stands.

BirminghamLive has been advised that supporters were notified of these changes as soon as the club had a firm plan of the redrawn stadium. Final plans of the first phase of the redevelopment were received on Wednesday, May 29, five days prior to the season ticket renewal period going on sale on the Monday. Some changes to the bowl and other modifications, which allow for some additional seats, have followed even since then.

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This is only phase one of a wider project which will see Villa Park’s capacity increase further with a total of 1,200 seats set to be added over the course of the next two summers.

The club say that they are committed to working with those fans impacted this summer to ensure they are accommodated as quickly as possible, with two-day windows in place for displaced fans to relocate before the traditional relocation window, which will be a bespoke, personalised service. They are listed below...

Tuesday, June 25 – Thursday, June 27: First opportunity for displaced North Stand season ticket holders to purchase available seats within their current stand.

Friday, June 28 – Tuesday, July 2: First opportunity for displaced Doug Ellis Stand season ticket holders to purchase available seats within their current stand.

Wednesday, July 3 – Thursday, July 4: First opportunity for displaced Trinity Road Stand season ticket holders to purchase available seats within their current stand.

After the renewal window closes, the club's full focus will be on those being moved and providing as personal a touch as possible regarding their relocation. The ticketing department will also have a full 360 of the stadium to show fans who are moving and will know where all the vacant seats are within the three stands.

The development plan across the whole of Villa Park has the overall aim of offering fans more choices of premium seats at a range of price points, which the club say will help create one of the best fan experiences in football. Its income will also contribute to investing in their on-the-pitch successes to ensure they continue to compete at the highest level following Champions League qualification last season.

The club have outlined that "these changes aren’t making changes for the sake of it, and the fans are at the heart of every decision the club makes."

While the majority of Villa supporters will understand the importance of expanding Villa Park's capacity and in turn, the revenue that brings to aiding the club's progress, many are unhappy with how the situation has been dealt with.

A fair amount of the 900 supporters who have been displaced will have to find new seats next to family members once their specific relocation window opens. BirminghamLive has been notified that all younger fans, if they have been displaced, will be able to move back with their parents or guardians during their specific relocation window.

Those affected are guaranteed to be next to at least one parent or guardian - they won’t be on their own. Where possible to seat more than a family of two together then the club will endeavour to do so. However, this could depend on the location selected.

Meanwhile, any fan who is currently seated at the end of a row due to a medical reason will be relocated sensitively and, where possible, repositioned on the end of a row.

It is understood that in the North Stand, 23 aisle seats have been reduced to ten so this will be assessed on a case-by-case basis and temporary arrangements may be made for able-bodied supporters. The 28 registered disabled supporters will be given priority.

Via the FAQs section of the season ticket renewal page, the club have told displaced fans: "We are so grateful for your continued support of the club and understand the impact that the seat adjustment and movements will have on your matchday experience.

"While these changes are being made to benefit the fan base as a whole and deliver results on the pitch, we are sorry this has affected your seat."

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