Aston Villa vs Arsenal – 2024/25
By Rob Carter
In a Word
Frustration
‘Something (that) prevents plans or efforts from being successful.’ – Cambridge Dictionary
The Carter Report
Much of the talk leading up to this game centered on the greatly improved Villa Park experience: new LED lights, a new tunnel, enhanced GA+ experiences, and a new ticketing system. What could possibly go wrong? Following the ‘innovation’ of removing physical season ticket cards (unless you had a good excuse and/or paid an extra £20 for the privilege) and transitioning to digital season tickets on smartphones, the club – who, in their wisdom, issued the digital tickets just days before the match—urged supporters to arrive early to avoid queuing at the gates.
Arriving at the ground at 4 p.m., when the turnstiles should have been open, we were greeted by a large queue forming near the Lower Holte entry point, where we sit. We assumed this would subside once the turnstiles opened, so we went for a look at the new club shop. Returning via Witton Lane around 4:30 p.m., with an hour to go before kick-off, we encountered the longest queue I have ever seen at Villa Park. It snaked from the Lower Holte entrance nearest to Trinity Road, across the car park, and down to the steps leading to Witton Lane.
Why the club asked fans to arrive early but then failed to open the turnstiles on time remains a mystery. The systems should have been tested well in advance. Furthermore, there was a noticeable lack of ushers or helpers to assist first-time users of digital tickets. When the turnstiles finally opened around 4:40 p.m., it took us until 5:15 p.m. to gain entry. Many angry fans were worried they wouldn’t get in before kick-off – and some didn’t, judging by reports from around the ground. Once inside, the overflowing urinals in the Lower Holte toilets did little to improve the mood. Given the entire summer to prepare, it’s hard to understand how such a farcical situation was allowed to occur.
Upon taking our seats, we realised that many of the people we’d sat with for years had been moved seven or eight seats away, making our usual pre-match chats much more difficult. The two people who normally sat in front of me with a perfect view from behind the goal had been relocated so far that they told me they planned to complain to the club. Judging by social media, they weren’t the only ones.
After all of this, it was a relief to see the match finally get underway – although, unfortunately, more frustration was to follow.
Unai Emery’s Aston Villa Version 2.0 showed plenty of signs of being able to cope with the twin rigours of Premier League and Champions Leaue football, but ultimately came up short by virtue of missing two gilt-edged chances to take the lead, both courtesy of Ollie Watkins. The striker having not kicked a ball in pre-season can hardly have helped, and the wisdom of that decision was debated long into the evening on the way home.
Ultimately, Arsenal took their chances, and Villa didn’t. Despite the disappointment, there were still some bright spots. Morgan Rogers looks like the next Villa superstar in the making, with a powerful and dynamic performance. Jacob Ramsey and new signing Iain Maatsen both looked sharp coming off the bench, while new right-back Kosta Nedeljkovic admirably filled in for the injured Matty Cash—a significant feat for someone so young.
Villa will play worse than this and win this season; few teams will come to Villa Park and take points if the performance levels are maintained to such a good standard.
Standards off the pitch, however, need to be significantly improved.
On-pitch value rating £30 (out of £43)
Off-pitch value rating: £0 (out of £43)
Scores are given based on a Zone 2 season ticket – the equivalent single ticket price for the game was £72.50
UTV
Follow MOMS on Twitter/X & Facebook & Threads
Usually there are massive queues for P block while M seems to waltz through. On Saturday we turned up at 1600, huge queues, no turnstiles open. Some then opened but not ours. No-one controlled the queues, no stewards in sight, police entirely flummoxed. Queues snaked around, police allowed new, sub queues to form. With 10 minutes to go and still far from the front I asked both the only policeman and the newly appeared stewards to call through and just open the gates. Police – cant do that – why not? – can’t. Stewards – can’t do that – why not – every ticket must be checked – if someone tries to sit on someones lap you could check it then – I think that just confused them. It was getting close to punch-ups breaking out behind us, still can’t believe they didn’t delay the kick-off until the thousands behind us got in. Little old lady ahead of me couldn’t work the entry system, four club employees stood against the back wall and just watched, she was helped out by other people in the queue. Absolutely, utterly appallingly crap organisation Villa.
With 30, 000 on the waiting, Villa clearly do whatever they want without a care for the real soul of the club ( the fans ), shame on you.
I was one of the people moved 8 seats away from friends I’d sat with for years. Not very happy.
I wanted to leave around the 75 minute mark, there was a huge queue to get out the ground through a turnstile.
I think the whole day was a disaster. What a terrible experience. The club said they would not change the Holte, yet they do this.
The waiting list for season tickets is the reason the club will do nothing. But I won’t be treated like cattle.
And yet no apology or even reasons for such ineptitude. I have for many years gone into ground 1.5 hours before kick off as I enjoy watching warm ups this time I got into lower Doug Ellis at 5.00pm. by the time I got to my seat the players had left.
As yet I haven’t received my £80 voucher for my forced change of seat, got to chase up.