Aston Villa are neglecting fans as ‘absolutely amazing’ details emerge – Wyness
Aston Villa’s former chief Keith Wyness has warned his old side against neglecting core fans after details of problems at Villa Park emerged.
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, the 66-year-old – who served as CEO at Villa Park between 2016 and 2018 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – told current Business President Chris Heck that “everyone should be treated the same” as he focuses on hospitality revenue.
Aston Villa sent an email statement to fans last week (27 August) after reports of overflowing toilets and long queues in concourses at half-time during the loss against Arsenal days earlier.
Supporters also reported queues of over an hour to get access to the ground, while some fans entered Villa Park to find their seats did not exist.
The statement said: “The club have spent the last 48 hours investigating these issues and will spend the coming weeks ensuring they do not impact fans’ matchday experience in the future.”
Wyness ‘absolutely amazed’ by Aston Villa stadium issues
Villa Park will host Champions League football this season for league phase ties against the likes of Juventus, Bayern Munich and Celtic.
Wyness told Football Insider‘s Insider Track podcast: “I was absolutely amazed about how this could ever happen.
“We know the stadium is an older one and there had been some changes to the hospitality areas, and some fans are upset that only the top end has been addressed.
“But the other fans have not been catered for properly.
“I don’t think it’s a case of money.
“The club know that with anything they revamp now, they’ll have to rip out in the future – because there are some very major structural reforms coming soon at Villa Park.
“Chris Heck has got some clear ideas to increase revenue and he’s trying to do it from the top down by starting with hospitality.
“But that doesn’t work. Everyone should be treated the same, and certainly, there should be no mistakes – like seats not being numbered properly and issues with turnstiles.
“I’m sure there is a crack team on it and making sure this never happens again at Villa Park.”
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