Ciaran Morrison

Wed 29 April 2026 12:30, UK

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Aston Villa are exploring ways behind-the-scenes to ensure the atmosphere is not affected during the redevelopment of the North Stand.

That is according to former Aston Villa chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking to Football Insider, with the North Stand set to be closed for the entirety of the 2026-27 season.

The atmosphere at Villa Park, which currently holds over 43,000 fans, has often played its part in Unai Emery’s side producing results in the biggest matches.

Aston Villa have enjoyed Champions League nights under Emery, and are on course to re-enter the competition next season.

However, with Aston Villa’s plans to generate revenue and increase Villa Park’s capacity to over 50,000, there is set to be a different atmosphere at home matches for the foreseeable future.

Aston Villa faced with ‘big job’ amid North Stand plans

Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – believes redeveloping the North Stand is a “necessary evil” that Aston Villa must do.

Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast, Wyness thinks the move will benefit the club in the future, and when hosting matches at Euro 2028.

He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “The problem of knocking down a whole end for a season does destroy some atmosphere, particularly at Villa Park, which is a very closed-in atmosphere.

“This is going to release some of that noise, but it’s a necessary evil, and it’s got to be done. I’m sure these days they’ll be working on how they can keep the acoustics while they’re doing the whole build. They’ve got some very good technology these days and are planning to do it.

“I’m sure it’ll be done quickly and effectively as soon as they can. The very first few hours after the season ends, the bulldozers will be in there. It’s a big job, and they’ve got to replace a lot of behind-the-scenes technology and kitchens and offices and all those sorts of things as well.

“That’ll all be planned, and they’ll be ready to go, but I think it’s well deserved and a great move to keep Villa Park back up at the top and to become part of one of the great Euro stadiums for 2028.”

Aston Villa faced with £5m blow

Former Man City financial advisor Stefan Borson told Football Insider that he was surprised that Aston Villa will close the whole North Stand for the entire season.

It is predicted that Aston Villa will lose £5million in revenue next season due to the closure, with the capacity of the stadium to drop to 37,000.

Once the works have been completed though, Villa Park will become the ninth-biggest stadium by capacity in the Premier League, jumping above Sunderland and the Stadium of Light.

It is a sign of ambition from the club, as financial rules have restricted their ability to spend in the transfer market in recent years, and the ownership want to compete at the top of the Premier League table.