Need to know
Arsenal will play Aston Villa on Monday night at very different-looking Villa Park
Renovations of the North Stand at Villa Park stadium are pictured, in Birmingham, central England on April 16, 2026, ahead of the the UEFA Europa League, quarter final second-leg football match between Aston Villa and Bologna. (Photo by Darren Staples / AFP via Getty Images)
Renovations of the North Stand at Villa Park stadium are pictured(Image: Getty)
What is happening to Villa Park?
Why Villa Park looks different: Villa will host Arsenal with a reduced overall stadium capacity of approximately 37,000. The temporary limitation is necessary because the North Stand is closed for the 2026/27 season to facilitate construction works.
Expansion plans: Once the redevelopment project is complete, the final stadium capacity will increase to accommodate over 50,000 spectators. The club scheduled this closure to ensure all facility upgrades are fully finished in time for the venue to host matches during Euro 2028. The long-term vision is to establish the ground as one of the region's premier football venues.
Structural changes to the North Stand:The original roof of the North Stand has been completely removed to make way for major internal demolition and foundation work ahead of installing new structural wings. Ball assistants will operate around the stand on matchdays, with the club exploring temporary pitch netting to isolate the building site from play.
Seating upgrades in the Trinity Road Stand: Almost every seat in the Trinity Road Stand was removed and replaced over the summer to reconfigure the overall seating layout. A refreshed press box has also been installed, with a new player tunnel set to be built in the corner where the Trinity Stand meets the North Stand.
Premium hospitality: A new matchday hospitality environment, called The Cross by Tom Sellers, has been constructed in the corner situated between the Holte End and the Trinity Road Stand. This project is managed by the two-Michelin-starred chef and offers a specialised dining experience for corporate attendees arriving prior to the 8pm kick-off. This addition is part of a broader strategy to improve the premium services available to matchday guests.
Ticket allocations: Despite the ongoing building work and the temporary reduction in total stadium seating, the home club is still required to provide a minimum allocation of 3,000 tickets for the away fans. The travelling Arsenal supporters will be accommodated safely within their designated section as they attend the Monday evening fixture. The away section remains fully operational to ensure compliance with the standard regulations of the football league regarding travelling support.
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