Broadcaster rages at behind-the-scenes decision at Aston Villa, ‘it’s a shambles’
We’re delighted to welcome Aston Villa podcaster Ty Bracey as our exclusive Aston Villa columnist each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at the club…
Ty Bracey has labelled a decision regarding ticketing for the Aston Villa game against Nottingham Forest on Sunday as a “shambles”.
Ahead of the fixture at the City Ground, a Villa season ticket holder posted a screenshot of an interaction with the club’s official support page on Twitter on 3 November, where it confirmed that only fans with 11 or more ticket references were allowed to purchase tickets that had been returned to the club.
It added that the tickets would “remain unsold” if supporters in that criteria didn’t take up the opportunity to buy them ahead of the game against Forest.
Although all the tickets were eventually purchased by people in that category, Bracey believes it is “absolutely outrageous” that they wouldn’t have been made available to other season ticket holders who fell below the criteria.
Speaking exclusively to Villa News, Bracey said: “I think it’s a shambles. Of course, I think it should always be priority for the faithful who go to every game, they should always be first dibs absolutely.
“But if you can’t build away references consistently, let’s say for example for Forest it was 11 away games, how are you supposed to build that criteria if you can’t get tickets? Why would you rather the seats be empty? At the worst-case scenario, just put it on the ballot and give people the opportunity.
“Even if people aren’t bothered about doing every single away game or building references and just want to do an away game here or there, give those tickets to the guys in the ballots, who does it hurt? It hurts nobody at all. I think it’s absolutely outrageous.
“The tickets got sold anyway in the end to the criteria, but no tickets should be left unsold if there’s an opportunity to sell them. That isn’t even about revenue.
“You want your away fans in full force and, for people who don’t go to away games often, they’re going to be well up for a sing-song and a good time with the Villa faithful. You’ve got to sell out those allocations. I just think it’s a poor decision from whoever is making those calls.”
In other Aston Villa news, a journalist has detailed what he has heard about Emery’s contract situation.