For the next destination in our 'Residence' series we enter through the gates and up the steps into one of English football's most historic stadiums. Steeped in a history that provides a timeline of British architecture, Villa Park is the central hub of English football, the home of Aston Villa.
It's hosted a World Cup in 66, a Euros in 96, a European Cup Final, League Cup Final, the England national team and 55 FA Cup Semi Finals. From its stunning brick facade, to traditional four individual stands – they quite literally don't make them like this anymore. Villa Park is simply a must visit for every football fan, with a prestigious value that rises with each old stadium that's replaced by an out of city bowl.
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Villa Park oozes character with its charming sense of throwback football vibes and beautiful old-fashioned feel from the moment you catch a glimpse of the roof structure through the surrounding Victorian streets, to the moment you take your seat.
A proper football day out, here. Upon our visit, just a few days before Villa's first home game of the 2018/19 season, Villa Park is spotless. The fact a stadium so old with such history can remain in such beautiful condition is exactly why this arena of royalty will forever be one of the realest British footballing venues.
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The Holte End is named after Sir Thomas Holte, who owned Aston Hall and the surrounding grounds, land on which Villa Park was built. Yeah, we've been on Wikipedia.
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Aston Villa are the only Football League club to stock a cupboard full of Ball Boys in case they run out on a match day.
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Villa Park's current capacity is just over 42,500, making it the biggest stadium in the Championship.
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Every bit a Premier League stadium, Aston Villa will be hoping to turn their illustrious home into a fortress on another promotion challenge kicking off their 2018/19 home campaign opener against Wigan Athletic on Saturday.