Aston Villa issue shared as decision made on ‘massive’ development

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 questioned when will be the right time to improve Villa Park after the club have announced they have paused the plans to redevelop the stadium.

Villa had originally planned to demolish the North Stand next summer to build an entirely new stand that would connect with the Trinity Road Stand and the Doug Ellis Stand, increasing the overall capacity to 50,000.

But Chris Heck, the club’s president of business operations, revealed on Villa TV on 19 December that the “massive project” would now be a “bad idea” as it would mean the stadium’s capacity would drop to 36,000 from the start of next season and until 2025/26.

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Bracey understands why the Villans fans are frustrated following the announcement, but he also gets that it might not be the best time for the redevelopment from a commercial standpoint.

Speaking exclusively to Villa News, Bracey said: “If they think it’s not the right time, when will be the right time?

If they’re expecting us to pull Champions League football out of the bag, then the issue is, at one point is the right time?

“If we’re going to be in the Champions League next season, surely the goal for the season after is also Champions League.

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“I understand both sides. I understand why there’s some frustration within the fans, but I also understand it from a commercial standpoint.

“I don’t think there’s a right or wrong answer. If they think it’s something that needs to wait, then it’s something that needs to wait.”

In other Aston Villa news, a journalist has mooted a potential transfer change at Villa under Monchi.