ASTON VILLA will add 7,400 seats to help make their stadium “world class” after Birmingham Council approved a massive revamp.
The Midlanders will rebuild the whole North Stand to boost Villa Park’s capacity from 42,785 to beyond 50,000.
The work is likely to take 18 to 24 months after starting next spring and Villa then plan to expand again to hold more than 60,000.
The club claim the redevelopment will boost the West Midlands economy by around £119.9million each year and create hundreds of jobs.
The Trinity Road Stand will be improved and a “Villa Live” building put up to replace the club shop, academy building and security lodge.
Villa also aim to “substantially improve” the transport system in the area.
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Club CEO Christian Purslow said: “This is great news firstly for our fans – many of whom are on a waiting list for season tickets.
“Secondly for the Club itself – as our long-term competitive strategy depends on continued growth.
“And finally for our city and region – with the prospect of a redeveloped Villa Park driving economic regeneration in our local community and bringing back international football to Birmingham.”
The mid-table Premier League side say they will create more than 7,000 square metres of public space surrounding the Witton Lane entrance.
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They believe this will “significantly improve accessibility, biodiversity, safety and the overall experience for fans, visitors and the local community”.
Villa call phase one of their scheme “an exciting and vital first step in the club’s vision to be a world-class venue and catalyst for continued redevelopment of the Aston area as part of the wider city masterplan”.
Villa Park was shortlisted last month by the UK and Ireland bid to host Euro 2028.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
