Aston Villa fans hit by ‘crippling’ blow after confirmed news – Whelan
Noel Whelan has claimed a “crippling” rise in season ticket prices at Aston Villa could prevent fans from attending games.
The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, suggested the Midlands giants could have held off on the hike for another year as the nation grapples with a cost-of-living crisis.
Aston Villa confirmed last month (4 May) that they have raised the price of their cheapest season ticket by 43% from £370 to £531.
Villa have raised their prices the most of any Premier League club, with 10 of the 20 top-flight outfits introducing an increase for the 2022-23 season.
West Ham are the only club to slash their price – with the cheapest season ticket at the London Stadium now £299, a reduction of £21.
Whelan suggested Aston Villa’s flurry of early transfer activity may have been a driving force in the decision.
“In this climate, a lot of people are struggling just to stay afloat,” he told Football Insider‘s Ewan Kingsbury.
“It’s going to be crippling for many supporters and I completely sympathise with them.
“I guess the club see this rise as a way of bringing money back into the club after the signings they have already made. But that shouldn’t be to the detriment of the fan.
“The fans are the club, and you don’t want anyone to miss out because of this inflation in ticket price.
“This can stop families going to the football, and children need the outlet that football provides – especially with what has happened over the past two and a half years.
“I think they could have kept the prices frozen for another year.”
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