![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.stadiumguide.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/villapark_front.jpg\" "\\"Villa")
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Club: Aston Villa FC | Opening: 1897 | Capacity: 42,785 seats<\/p>\n
In the late 19th century, Villa Park was part of a pleasure ground that consisted of a football and cricket pitch, athletics track, and a small grandstand. Aston Villa at that time still played their home matches at the Perry Barr ground, but in 1897 moved to the superior Villa Park.<\/p>\n
Before they moved in, they had already built a new main stand and accompanied this with open terracing on the remaining sides. The stadium was bowl-shaped back then, and could hold about 40,000 people.<\/p>\n
Aston Villa opened their new ground on the 17th of April 1897 with a friendly match against Blackburn Rovers (3-0).<\/p>\n
In the next two decades Villa Park got gradually expanded, and in 1913 lost its bowl shape when the cycling track got removed. Plans were made to expand the stadium to a capacity of 130,000, but the First World War brought these to a halt.<\/p>\n
Works continued after the war though, and were concluded in 1923 when the new Trinity Road Stand opened. At that time the stadium could hold about 80,000 people.<\/p>\n
Villa Park recorded its highest attendance in 1946 when 76,588 people attended a match against Derby County.<\/p>\n
In the next decades only smaller changes were made, which included cover for the Holte End and a refurbishment of the Witton Lane Stand in 1964.<\/p>\n
Villa Park was one of the playing venues of the 1966 World Cup, hosting three group matches.<\/p>\n
The stadium underwent a next change in 1976 when a new North Stand opened in place of the Witton Lane End. The new stand led to heavy debts though, and no further changes were made until the 1990s.<\/p>\n
In 1993 the new Doug Ellis Stand opened, followed by the demolition and reconstruction of the Holte End. The transformation of the stadium into an all-seater was completed when the North Stand got fitted with seats.<\/p>\n
Villa Park hosted three group matches and a quarter-final during the 1996 European Championships<\/a>.<\/p>\n In 1999, it hosted the last ever European Cup Winners’ Cup final between Real Mallorca and Lazio Roma (1-2).<\/p>\n In 2000, the classic Trinity Road stand from the 1920s got demolished and replaced by a new stand. In recent years tentative plans have been made to expand the stadium to a capacity of 50,000 by rebuilding the North Stand, but its is unlikely that these will be executed any time soon.<\/p>\n (photos of the present Villa Park below)<\/p>\n Villa Park is located toward the north of the city of Birmingham at approximately 2.5 miles from the city centre.<\/p>\n If 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n If using public transport, the stadium is best reached by train<\/a>. 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.<\/p>\n Alternatively, the stadium is served by bus<\/a> 7 and 11. Bus 7 leaves from Upper Bull Street in the city centre.<\/p>\n Address: Trinity Road, Birmingham, B6 6HE<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t\t \n \n \n\t\t\t\t \n \n \n\t\t\t\t \n \n \n\t\t\t\t \n \n \n\t\t\t\t \n \n \n\t\t\t\t \n \n <\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\nGetting there<\/h3>\n
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![\n \n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t\t\n \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t \n \n \n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t\t\n \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t \n \n \n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t\t\n \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t \n \n \n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t\t\n \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t \n \n \n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t\t\n \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t \n \n \n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t\t\n \n\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n(photos of the present Villa Park below)<\/p>\nGetting there<\/h3>\nVilla Park is located toward the north of the city of Birmingham at approximately 2.5 miles from the city centre.<\/p>\nIf 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.<\/p>\nIf 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.<\/p>\nIf using public transport, the stadium is best reached by train<\/a>. 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.<\/p>\nAlternatively, the stadium is served by bus<\/a> 7 and 11. Bus 7 leaves from Upper Bull Street in the city centre.<\/p>\nAddress: Trinity Road, Birmingham, B6 6HE<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>](\"https:\/\/www.stadiumguide.com\/wp-content\/gallery\/astonvillapast\/villaparkpast1.jpg\"\n){kind=link}
![\n \n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t\t\n \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t \n \n \n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t\t\n \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t \n \n \n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t\t\n \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t \n \n \n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t\t\n \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t \n \n \n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t\t\n \n\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n(photos of the present Villa Park below)<\/p>\nGetting there<\/h3>\nVilla Park is located toward the north of the city of Birmingham at approximately 2.5 miles from the city centre.<\/p>\nIf 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.<\/p>\nIf 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.<\/p>\nIf using public transport, the stadium is best reached by train<\/a>. 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.<\/p>\nAlternatively, the stadium is served by bus<\/a> 7 and 11. Bus 7 leaves from Upper Bull Street in the city centre.<\/p>\nAddress: Trinity Road, Birmingham, B6 6HE<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>](\"https:\/\/www.stadiumguide.com\/wp-content\/gallery\/astonvillapast\/villaparkpast2.jpg\"\n){kind=link}
![\n \n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t\t\n \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t \n \n \n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t\t\n \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t \n \n \n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t\t\n \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t \n \n \n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t\t\n \n\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n(photos of the present Villa Park below)<\/p>\nGetting there<\/h3>\nVilla Park is located toward the north of the city of Birmingham at approximately 2.5 miles from the city centre.<\/p>\nIf 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.<\/p>\nIf 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.<\/p>\nIf using public transport, the stadium is best reached by train<\/a>. 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.<\/p>\nAlternatively, the stadium is served by bus<\/a> 7 and 11. Bus 7 leaves from Upper Bull Street in the city centre.<\/p>\nAddress: Trinity Road, Birmingham, B6 6HE<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>](\"https:\/\/www.stadiumguide.com\/wp-content\/gallery\/astonvillapast\/villaparkpast3.jpg\"\n){kind=link}
![\n \n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t\t\n \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t \n \n \n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t\t\n \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t \n \n \n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t\t\n \n\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n(photos of the present Villa Park below)<\/p>\nGetting there<\/h3>\nVilla Park is located toward the north of the city of Birmingham at approximately 2.5 miles from the city centre.<\/p>\nIf 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.<\/p>\nIf 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.<\/p>\nIf using public transport, the stadium is best reached by train<\/a>. 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.<\/p>\nAlternatively, the stadium is served by bus<\/a> 7 and 11. Bus 7 leaves from Upper Bull Street in the city centre.<\/p>\nAddress: Trinity Road, Birmingham, B6 6HE<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>](\"https:\/\/www.stadiumguide.com\/wp-content\/gallery\/astonvillapast\/villaparkpast4.jpg\"\n){kind=link}
![\n \n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t\t\n \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t \n \n \n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t\t\n \n\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n(photos of the present Villa Park below)<\/p>\nGetting there<\/h3>\nVilla Park is located toward the north of the city of Birmingham at approximately 2.5 miles from the city centre.<\/p>\nIf 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.<\/p>\nIf 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.<\/p>\nIf using public transport, the stadium is best reached by train<\/a>. 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.<\/p>\nAlternatively, the stadium is served by bus<\/a> 7 and 11. Bus 7 leaves from Upper Bull Street in the city centre.<\/p>\nAddress: Trinity Road, Birmingham, B6 6HE<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>](\"https:\/\/www.stadiumguide.com\/wp-content\/gallery\/astonvillapast\/villaparkpast6.jpg\"\n){kind=link}
![\n \n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t\t\n \n\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n(photos of the present Villa Park below)<\/p>\nGetting there<\/h3>\nVilla Park is located toward the north of the city of Birmingham at approximately 2.5 miles from the city centre.<\/p>\nIf 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.<\/p>\nIf 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.<\/p>\nIf using public transport, the stadium is best reached by train<\/a>. 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.<\/p>\nAlternatively, the stadium is served by bus<\/a> 7 and 11. Bus 7 leaves from Upper Bull Street in the city centre.<\/p>\nAddress: Trinity Road, Birmingham, B6 6HE<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>](\"https:\/\/www.stadiumguide.com\/wp-content\/gallery\/astonvillapast\/villaparkpast5.jpg\"\n){kind=link}