Villa Park Stadium

Names: Villa Park Stadium | Aston Lower Grounds
Location: Trinity Road, Birmingham B6 6HE
Coordinates: 52°30′33″N 1°53′5″WCoordinates: 52°30′33″N 1°53′5″W
Opened: 1897
Owner: Aston Villa F.C.
Operator: Aston Villa F.C.
Surface: Desso GrassMaster
Construction cost: £16,733 (£25 mil)
Capacity: 42,788
Field dimensions: 105 × 68 metres, 344 × 226 feet

Villa Park was initially part of a pleasure ground, and consisted of a football and cricket pitch, athletics track, and a small grandstand. Aston Villa at that time still played its matches at the Perry Barr ground, but in 1897 moved to the arguably superior Villa Park.

Transport and Directions
Villa Park is located toward the north of the city of Birmingham, approximately 2.5 miles of the city centre.

Arriving by car from outside the city, the stadium is best reached from the M6 motorway. Take exit 6 and follow the signs for the A38 (not the A38M). On the island turn right (A5127), and follow the signs to Villa Park.

If coming from the east, one can also take exit 7 from the same motorway, and then follow the A34 south for a few miles. Passing Alexandra Stadium make sure to stay in the nearside lane and leave the carriageway before the flyover. Follow the signs for matchday parking.

If using public transport, the stadium is best reached by train. Aston Station and Witton Station are just a short train ride away from Birmingham New Street Station. Witton Station is closest, a 5-minute walk to the stadium, whereas it takes 15 minutes to walk from Aston Station.

Alternatively, the stadium is served by bus 7 and 11. Bus 7 leaves from Upper Bull Street in the city centre.

Villa Park is within a short distance of two mainline railway stations. Witton railway station is approximately 500 metres (0.3 miles) from Villa Park, and Aston railway station is approximately 1.5 kilometres (0.9 miles). Under current owner Randy Lerner, there have been discussions on changing the name of Witton Station to Villa Park as is the case with West Bromwich Albion's local railway station, The Hawthorns. Aston Villa's former CEO, Bruce Langham, has said that the West Midlands Passenger Transport Executive (Centro) are amenable to the idea as long as it is done at the expense of the club. No action has yet been taken.

Tickets
Tickets can be bought online, by phone +44 (0) 800 6120 970, or at the Villa Village store at Villa Park.

Tickets can also be bought at the same store before the start of the match. Aston Villa only very occasionally sells out.

Aston Villa has divided its home matches in three pricing categories. Tickets for category A matches, the most expensive, range in price from £25.00 for a lower-tier seat at the North Stand to £45.00 for a central seat at one of the long sides. Tickets for category VV matches, the cheapest, range in price from £20.00 to £37.00.