Detail

Originally know as The Aston Lower Grounds, Villa Park is Aston Villa’s third stadium in the club’s history having previously played at local pitches at Aston Park (1874-1876 and Wellington Road (1876 -1897). The largest ground in the Midlands, it is famous for hosting over 55 semi-finals of the F.A Cup. The first match held at the ground was a friendly against Blackburn Rovers on the 17th April 1897, and during Villa Park’s inaugural season crowds averaged at around 21,000. The new facilities matched the club’s impressive performances on the pitch, and by the start of the 1940s the club had won 6 First Division titles and 6 FA Cups. With every major trophy won more money was invested into the facilities, and along with Everton’s Goodison Park, Villa’s stadium was regarded as one of the finest in the country. Archibald Leitch was consulted for a redesign but his plans were disrupted until the 1966 World Cup by the outbreak of the Second World War. Today’s modern Villa Park is very much the legacy of former chairman Doug Ellis who oversaw the conversion of the stadium to all-seating after the events of Hillsborough. The Witton Lane Stand was built during the 1993-1994 season, The iconic Holte End a season afterwards and the main stand of the ground on Trinity Road Stand six years later in 2000. Aston Villa currently have planning permission to rebuild the north stand which would increase the capacity to around 50,000. However due to a lack of European football, it doesn’t appear as if this will happen any time soon. This means that the modern attendance record set of 42,877 set against Liverpool on 29th December 2009 is unlikely to be beaten.

DRIVING Villa Park Stadium’s address for satnav is as follows: Trinity Rd, Birmingham, B6 6HE. Parking When it comes to Parking there are some spaces between the industrial park between the stadium and Aston station, as well as Witton and Perry Barr. However you should always check for pay and display signs and whether or not a parking permit is required. Like all parking matters, use you common sense and remember that it never hurts to get their early and avoid the stress of trying to find a last minute space. BUS If you are unable to get the train there or fancy getting the bus then the two main bus services you want are number 7 and number 11. Failing this, you can also get the 65, 67, 104 and 114 which take you within walking distance of Villa Park. The 65/67 take you along Lichfield road, right outside Aston Station. TRAIN Villa park is served by two train stations in two different directions: Witton Station (North – 5 minutes walk) and Aston (East 10 minutes). Both stations can be accessed from Birmingham New Street station taking between 7-9 minutes making it a really easy journey to make once you are in the city. Aston Villa Railway Station Upon exiting the station you will be on Lichfield Road, turn away from the tunnel and turn right onto Grosvenor Road which you can follow to the stadium. AIRPORTS AND FLYING The closet airport to Villa Park is Birmingham International Airport which is 14 miles away via car with an estimated journey of 20-30 minutes depending on traffic. Perhaps even easier is the train to Birmingham New Street Station which stops at the airport frequently. This allows for a quick transfer to the city centre in less than 10 minutes.