Probably having their best spell in about 30 years, huge traditional club, big city.. and struggling to sell out for the Champions League v Bologna - tickets on general sale now (about £95). This is absolutely not a criticism of their fans at all - always quite liked Villa, it's just to highlight that at some point you can't fleece people for any more.

Also, even if they do eventually get close enough to a sell out, and 'maximise revenue', is that really necessary with the income they're getting now. And where does it leave your local non-corporate Villa fans, especially young lads? This should be a magic time for this generation of fans but no chance a 19/20 year old is going at those prices.

95 quid is scandalous.
But people will pay it because they want to see their team in European competition.

I'll also be surprised if its a sell-out at that price.

It's simply outrageous.

It's been a long running issue at Villa, the price they are charging for the Champions League games. They've also increased parking charges for disabled supporters for these games.

I can remember when Leicester got in the Champions League-admittedly it was around 6 years ago. They did a package for their three Champions league games at a total of £85 for the set.They sold out but kept their fans on side

i recall a news story before the season began that highlighted the discontent amongst the Villa fans regarding ticket prices , however if Villa want to stay a champions league side then they will need every penny they can get to compete with the other clubs. this is why so many clubs want the rules changing in the prem so owners can spend what they want, i also recall they had announced an expansion of Villa park which will increase revenue. most of these big clubs will put prices up for CL games but £95 is a bit much !!

warksclaret wrote: ↑

Thu Oct 17, 2024 11:43 am

I can remember when Leicester got in the Champions League-admittedly it was around 6 years ago. They did a package for their three Champions league games at a total of £85 for the set.They sold out but kept their fans on side

Well that's not bad at all. Say £100 at today's value.
33 quid a game is well bearable, but I tend to doubt whether Leicester (or any PL club) would be prepared to make the same offer nowadays.

Not that Leicester look like being in any position to
make such an offer any time soon.

When people are paying £200 - £400 to watch fairly mediocre bands and artists .... Football clubs are going to look at £95 as a bargain ....

I don't know where some people get their money from

The Shire Claret wrote: ↑

Thu Oct 17, 2024 1:56 pm

When people are paying £200 - £400 to watch fairly mediocre bands and artists .... Football clubs are going to look at £95 as a bargain ....

I don't think they are comparable. For most people, an expensive gig will be a one-off, maybe a once-a-year event, if that. Supporting your football team isn't the same. However, if £95 a pop becomes the norm, then football will have well and truly eaten itself. Without the fans, professional football is nothing.

Clovius Boofus wrote: ↑

Thu Oct 17, 2024 2:14 pm

I don't think they are comparable. For most people, an expensive gig will be a one-off, maybe a once-a-year event, if that. Supporting your football team isn't the same. However, if £95 a pop becomes the norm, then football will have well and truly eaten itself. Without the fans, professional football is nothing.

People will watch it at home on the telly box…. And they will pay handsomely to do that. Football will ensure football thrives in the post fan era….

Clovius Boofus wrote: ↑

Thu Oct 17, 2024 2:14 pm

I don't think they are comparable. For most people, an expensive gig will be a one-off, maybe a once-a-year event, if that. Supporting your football team isn't the same. However, if £95 a pop becomes the norm, then football will have well and truly eaten itself. Without the fans, professional football is nothing.

I 100% agree with you .... I just feel the big wigs do compare and not living in the real world they will see it as cheap for the product ....

The only way it will make a difference is if people dont pay

You’d have to be either bonkers or loaded to spend 95 quid to go to that particular game.

I can safely say I wouldn’t be going if I was a Villa fan.

bobinho wrote: ↑

Thu Oct 17, 2024 3:00 pm

People will watch it at home on the telly box…. And they will pay handsomely to do that. Football will ensure football thrives in the post fan era….

I think it would be massively diminished. Remember how utterly dull it was watching football on TV when fans weren't allowed to attend due to Covid restrictions?

Clovius Boofus wrote: ↑

Thu Oct 17, 2024 3:17 pm

I think it would be massively diminished. Remember how utterly dull it was watching football on TV when fans weren't allowed to attend due to Covid restrictions?

Probably not the popular opinion, but I really enjoyed it, getting to hear the players, less dodgy 'homer' refs etc. but this may have been because I had been starved of it for so long that anything seemed fantastic!

I was one of those who put the fake crowd noise on, but not because it was a good substitute for the real thing, far from it. I did it because I found the training ground 'atmosphere' deeply depressing in those dark times.

Clovius Boofus wrote: ↑

Thu Oct 17, 2024 3:17 pm

I think it would be massively diminished. Remember how utterly dull it was watching football on TV when fans weren't allowed to attend due to Covid restrictions?

You’re right, was absolutely woeful and there will be some (like me) that just mug it off, but there’s far too much money in the game for those at the higher echelons to simply allow it to die off. Fans only provide the tip of the iceberg when it comes to financing the obscene amounts of money footballers/managers/agents/executives are paid. Paid, not earn.

Clovius Boofus wrote: ↑

Thu Oct 17, 2024 3:35 pm

I was one of those who put the fake crowd noise on, but not because it was a good substitute for the real thing, far from it. I did it because I found the training ground 'atmosphere' deeply depressing in those dark times.

I was the same. Awful without the crowd noise. So many players have commented too on how bad it was playing without a crowd.

Are Aston Villa a big club? I'd put them on a par with Forest so not really a big club and those prices they are charging are a disgrace.

Deathtrip wrote: ↑

Thu Oct 17, 2024 5:35 pm

Are Aston Villa a big club? I'd put them on a par with Forest so not really a big club and those prices they are charging are a disgrace.

I don't think club chairmen will adopt the "comparison to Forest index" for ticket pricing anytime soon.

Deathtrip wrote: ↑

Thu Oct 17, 2024 5:35 pm

Are Aston Villa a big club? I'd put them on a par with Forest so not really a big club and those prices they are charging are a disgrace.

When forest get into Europe we'll see how much they charge.

It’s the business model. If there’s punters willing to part with the best part of £100 , and there are, they are more likely to able to spend another wedge on refreshments and merchandise. Why sell the seat for £50 to a punter that will spend a tenner in the ground?

My City supporting mates have told me that the CL group game prices have risen a lot this season and if they do choose to sit in their ST seat they are surrounded by “tourists”.

Deathtrip wrote: ↑

Thu Oct 17, 2024 5:35 pm

Are Aston Villa a big club? I'd put them on a par with Forest so not really a big club and those prices they are charging are a disgrace.

They're living off former glories like a large number of "big clubs"
Just media driven most of the time

I’m in Barcelona next week and noticed that Barca are playing Bayern Munich in the Champions League. I decided not to go as a) the Nou Camp is out of use at present and game is at the Olympic stadium (terrible view from stands across running track, and b) cheapest ticket is €200 !!!!

Whitgord wrote: ↑

Thu Oct 17, 2024 10:19 pm

I’m in Barcelona next week and noticed that Barca are playing Bayern Munich in the Champions League. I decided not to go as a) the Nou Camp is out of use at present and game is at the Olympic stadium (terrible view from stands across running track, and b) cheapest ticket is €200 !!!!

By contrast, here are the ticket prices at Bayern. Not that you can get hold of them unless you are a member, but still look fairly reasonable.