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AWAY GUIDE
TO THE VILLA PARK
Discover the ultimate Premier League away day with our fan-friendly guides. From the best pubs and bars to meet fellow supporters, to top spots for food, nightlife, and hotels, we’ve got you covered. Each guide also includes essential tips on getting to the stadium, where to sit, and how to make the most of your matchday experience. Whether you’re looking for a pre-match pint, a late-night party, or a comfortable place to stay, our away guides help fans find the best places to eat, drink, stay, and enjoy every moment of the game.
STREET FOOD + DJS + HOSTS + GIVEAWAYS + HIGH-ENERGY
THE OFFICIAL
ASTON VILLA AWAY GUIDE
Welcome to the Official Away Guide, your ultimate resource for travelling to the match. Whether you’re visiting for the first time or a seasoned away fan, this guide is your bible for everything you need to make the most of your trip.
From the best restaurants and casual grab-and-go spots, to budget-friendly pubs, lively bars, and premium venues, we’ve got it all covered. We’ll help you work your way around the Ground, find the best fan spots, and enjoy everything the city has to offer before, during, and after the game.
Whether you’re here for the game, the atmosphere, or to explore the city itself, this guide makes travelling simple, fun, and stress-free. Don’t forget to try our quiz, share your results, and tag us on social media at @fanparkuk, we’d love to see how you get on!
Capacity: 42,918
Opened: 1897
Location: Trinity Road, Birmingham
Villa Park, home to Aston Villa since 1897, stands as one of English football's grand old stadiums, where more than a century of history echoes through its Victorian foundations. With a capacity of over 42,000, it remains the largest football ground in the Midlands, and despite various renovations, it still carries the soul of those early pioneers who helped found the Football League itself. The famous Holte End, packed with the club's most passionate supporters, creates a wall of claret and blue that has intimidated visitors for generations and gives Villa Park an atmosphere that few modern stadiums can match.
On matchdays, the streets around Aston come alive hours before kick-off, with fans filling traditional pubs like the Witton Arms and gathering around the stadium's imposing brick facade. Inside, the facilities blend old-school character with modern amenities, but nothing overshadows the electric atmosphere when 40,000 voices unite in "Villa Till I Die." The stadium feels less like a relic and more like the beating heart of Birmingham football, where every cheer carries the weight of 150 years of tradition.
Aston Villa, founded in 1874, have always been pioneers of the beautiful game, from helping establish the Football League to winning the European Cup in 1982. They've produced legends like Billy Walker, the club's record goalscorer, Charlie Aitken with his 660 appearances, and modern heroes like Jack Grealish. As one of only five English clubs to win the European Cup, Villa carry a heritage of ambition that runs deeper than most. Today, under Unai Emery's guidance, Villa Park has returned to hosting Champions League nights, proving that this historic stadium remains a destination for Europe's elite — though on every matchday, it's unmistakably home to the Villans and their unwavering faithful.
- Aston Villa was founded in 1874 by members of Villa Cross Wesleyan Chapel, making them one of the oldest football clubs in England and a founding member of the Football League in 1888.
- Villa were the most successful English club of the Victorian era, winning five League Championships and three FA Cups by 1901, establishing themselves as pioneers of the modern passing game.
- Villa Park has hosted more FA Cup semi-finals (57) than any other stadium in the world, including Wembley.
- The club achieved the rare feat of winning the European Cup as underdogs in 1982, defeating Bayern Munich 1-0 with a team that cost just £8 million—one of only six English clubs to lift Europe's premier trophy.
- Villa are one of only three clubs to be founding members of both the original Football League (1888) and the Premier League (1992), alongside Blackburn Rovers and Everton.
- Record-Breaking Goal Fest. In the 1930-31 season, Villa scored 128 goals in the First Division—a record that still stands as the highest goal tally by any team in England's top flight.
- European Glory After 43-Year Wait. On 7 June 2023, Villa lifted the Europa Conference League with a 2-1 victory over Fiorentina, ending their longest trophy drought since 1996.
- All-Time Legends. Charlie Aitken holds Villa's appearance record (660 games), while Billy Walker remains their all-time top scorer with 244 goals—both records that have stood for decades.
- World Cup Heroes. Villa provided three players to England's 1966 World Cup-winning team, with captain Bobby Moore leading Geoff Hurst and Martin Peters to glory—leading to the famous claim "West Ham won the World Cup," though Villa fans might argue their influence too.
- Villa are the seventh most successful club in English football history with 25 major trophies, and remarkably, they've never been relegated below the second tier in their 150-year existence.
- The 2025 Solar Revolution. Villa Park became the UK's most sustainable stadium in 2025, installing 6,500 square meters of solar panels—the largest such installation at any British stadium, generating enough energy to power all major events.
- Champions League Return. Under Unai Emery's guidance, Villa qualified for the Champions League in 2024 for the first time since 1982-83, reaching the quarter-finals and proving that sleeping giants can indeed awaken.
- That winning goal in Villa's 2023 Conference League final triumph, scored by Jarrod Bowen in the 90th minute, made it the latest winning goal in any major European final since Liverpool's miracle in Istanbul.
- Under the NSWE ownership, Villa have transformed from relegation candidates to European competitors, with a transfer record sale of Jack Grealish for £100 million in 2021—still a British transfer record at Aston Villa
- Billy Walker – Villa's all-time leading goalscorer with 244 goals, a club legend who dominated the 1920s and 1930s.
- Charlie Aitken – The ultimate Villa man with a record 660 appearances over 17 years, a one-club defender whose loyalty record will never be broken.
- Paul McGrath – The Irish colossus and arguably Villa's greatest ever defender, whose performances in the early 1990s made him a fan favourite and club icon.
- Dennis Mortimer – Captain fantastic who lifted the European Cup in 1982, leading Villa to their greatest triumph against Bayern Munich.
- David Platt – England midfielder and Villa legend, known for his goals, leadership, and crucial performances in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
- Dwight Yorke – Trinidadian striker whose pace, skill, and 73 goals in 232 appearances made him one of Villa's most beloved forwards of the 1990s.
- Gareth Barry – Academy graduate and long-serving midfielder who captained the club and made 441 appearances before his controversial move to Manchester City.
- Peter Withe – The man who scored the most important goal in Villa's history, netting the winner in the 1982 European Cup final.
- Jack Grealish – Villa's modern icon and boyhood fan who captained his hometown club through relegation and back to Europe before his record £100 million move to Manchester City.
- Gordon Cowans – Elegant midfielder who epitomized Villa's style in the 1980s, making over 400 appearances across two spells with the club.
Sun on the Hill, Birmingham
⚽ Big screens, DJs Friday/Saturday, mezzanine bar, city centre local vibe
📍 ~8 minute drive to Villa Park
🌐 www.thesunonthehill.co.uk
Bacchus Bar, Birmingham
⚽ Underground hideaway, Egyptian/Roman themed rooms, medieval decor, secret basement location
📍 ~8 minute drive to Villa Park
🌐 www.nicholsonspubs.co.uk
Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery
📍 ~25 minutes via Witton to New Street + walk/bus
⚽ Stunning Grade II listed building housing world-class Pre-Raphaelite art, Birmingham history, and the new 'Made in Birmingham' industrial gallery celebrating the city's heritage.*
Bullring & Grand Central Shopping Centre
📍 ~17 minutes via Witton to New Street (directly connected)
🛍️ Over 160 shops including the iconic Selfridges building, plus dining and entertainment. Perfect for retail therapy before or after the match.
Jewellery Quarter
📍 ~20 minutes via Witton to New Street + tram (6 mins)
💎 Historic district with over 700 jewellers, independent restaurants, and beautiful Georgian architecture. Explore museums, galleries, and discover where 40% of UK jewellery is made.
Cadbury World
📍 ~35 minutes via Witton to New Street to Bournville + walk
🍫 Interactive chocolate experience in historic Bournville village. Learn chocolate-making, ride the Cadbury Chocolate Quest, and enjoy unlimited treats - perfect for families.
Cannon Hill Park
📍 ~30 minutes via Witton to New Street + bus
🌳 Award-winning 250-acre green space with lakes, woodland, mini-golf, MAC Arts Centre, and Birmingham Wildlife Conservation Park. Ideal for a peaceful pre-match stroll or family day out.
💸 Budget-Friendly Casual Eats
- Topokki: A understated Korean establishment serving authentic dupbap, bibimbap, and bulgogi in the heart of Birmingham's Gay Village, with almost everything under £10.
- Eat Vietnam: A Stirchley gem from chef Ming Nham offering modern takes on Vietnamese cuisine, including curry dishes and innovative creations like marmite and peanut butter cauliflower.
- Central Kitchen: Birmingham's favorite brunch spot serving delicious English breakfasts and house omelettes with super friendly staff and quick service in a perfect atmosphere.
🍔 Grab-and-Go
- Medicine Bakery: An artisan bakery and café serving signature brioche buns, cronuts, and handcrafted sourdough sandwiches including The Reuben, perfect for a quick quality bite.
- Tiger Bites Pig: Located next to Birmingham New Street Station, this spot serves up East Asian street food with incredible baos and bowls, ideal for a different lunchtime experience.
- Habaneros: Originally a mobile Mexican street-food vendor, now permanently located in Great Western Arcade, known for making the best and hottest burritos in Birmingham.
💎 £££
- Opheem: Birmingham's first two-Michelin-star restaurant offering creative modern Indian cuisine with excellently spiced dishes and an open kitchen, representing the food of Kings and Emperors.
- Adam's Restaurant: Contemporary British fine dining with Michelin recognition since 2013, serving modern dishes with exceptional food, intimate ambiance, and world-class service in an art-deco setting.
- Simpsons Restaurant: A Michelin-starred establishment since 1999 housed in a stunning Georgian building in Edgbaston, offering contemporary British cuisine with plant-based options and luxury dining.
🍻 Budget-Friendly
- Post Office Vaults: Award-winning real ale pub with 212 specialist foreign bottled beers and up to 8 perfectly kept real ales. Located 2 minutes from New Street Station, this independent freehouse offers Birmingham's largest selection of traditional ciders and perries.
- The Old Royal: A traditional city centre boozer perfect for cheap beers with the atmosphere of a good local. Happy hour 5pm-8pm offers pints of Madri for £3, with Carling at £4.35.
- Sun on the Hill: Independent pub in the heart of Birmingham city centre with DJs Friday and Saturday nights, offering local atmosphere with convenient location and affordable drinks in vintage-style surroundings.
🍸 Places You Can't Miss
- Bacchus Bar: Birmingham's hidden underground gem beneath Burlington Hotel, featuring Egyptian and Roman themed rooms with suits of armour, frescos, and medieval archways. A unique atmospheric basement pub experience you won't find anywhere else.
- The Old Joint Stock: Grade II-listed Victorian pub with magnificent decor and 80-seat studio theatre. Housed in a former Birmingham Joint Stock Bank building with original fixtures, high ceilings, and period charm opposite St Philip's Cathedral.
- Passing Fancies: Currently ranked 3rd on the Top 50 Cocktail Bars in the UK list, this Digbeth venue offers cutting-edge cocktails with constantly evolving themes and menus. Features an open-door policy and quirky trinkets throughout the space.
💎 £££
- 40 St Pauls: Former World's Best Gin Bar (2019) in the Jewellery Quarter, featuring 140 handpicked gins in an intimate 24-seat venue. Dark, sophisticated atmosphere with expert cocktails, gin tastings, and themed evenings including gin, cheese & chocolate pairings.
- Couch: Award-winning cocktail bar on the Pinnacle list and ranked 4th on Top 50 Cocktail Bars in the UK. Known for exceptional service where 'they know everyone' and bespoke drinks inspired by childhood memories, offering walk-ins only with a cozy, intimate atmosphere.
- Lost & Found: Victorian adventurer-themed cocktail bar with vintage fixings and quirky cocktails. Decked out as a tribute to Hettie G. Watson, this stylish venue offers one of Birmingham's most sophisticated drinking experiences with period decor and creative mixology.
Visiting supporters are generally allocated seats in the Holte End corner or Doug Ellis Stand, with allocations around 3,000 tickets for Premier League games.
Facilities for away fans include modern concourses, accessible seating, food and drink outlets, and clear sightlines from all allocated sections.
- Pint of Beer: £5.00–£5.50
- Pie & Pint Combo: Around £9.00
Parking near the stadium is very limited. Residents’ zones are strictly enforced on matchdays.
Closest Options:
- Pre-book private parking via JustPark
- Use official club parking if available
✅ Pro Tip: Public transport is strongly recommended.
By Train
- Aston Station: ~10 mins walk to the stadium.
Birmingham New Street Station: ~2 miles; 10–15 mins taxi or bus.
Trains connect from major UK cities including London, Manchester, and Liverpool.
By Bus
- Local Buses: Routes 4, 11, 33, 73 – stops close to the stadium.
Villa Park is well connected by public transport
Looking for the best deals on places to stay when you’re heading to the game? At FANPARK, we’ve done the hard work for you! From cozy budget hotels to affordable apartments, we’ve scoured the area around the stadium to find where you can stay without breaking the bank.
- Who holds the record for most appearances for Aston Villa (over 650 games)?
- How many times have Villa won the First Division/Premier League title?
- Which Villa player scored the winning goal in the 1982 European Cup Final?
- Villa Park has hosted more of which type of match than any other stadium in England?
- Who was Villa's manager when they won the European Cup in 1982?
- Which Villa player was famously sold to Manchester United for £12.6 million in 1999?
- In what year did Villa suffer their first relegation from the Premier League?
- Who scored Villa's goal in the 2010 League Cup Final defeat to Manchester United?
- Which Villa striker scored 50 goals in 88 games before moving to Tottenham in 1992?
- Villa were founder members of the Football League in which year?
- Who was Villa's top scorer in their 2019-20 Premier League return season?
- What was unique about Villa's kit in their 1982 European Cup Final victory?
- Who did Villa beat in the 1994 League Cup Final at Wembley?
- Which Villa player holds the record for most England caps while at the club?
Who holds the record for most appearances for Aston Villa (over 650 games)? Aitken
How many times have Villa won the First Division/Premier League title? Seven
Which Villa player scored the winning goal in the 1982 European Cup Final? Withe
Villa Park has hosted more of which type of match than any other stadium in England? Semi-finals
Who was Villa's manager when they won the European Cup in 1982? Barton
Which Villa player was famously sold to Manchester United for £12.6 million in 1999? Yorke
In what year did Villa suffer their first relegation from the Premier League? 2016
Who scored Villa's goal in the 2010 League Cup Final defeat to Manchester United? Milner
Which Villa striker scored 50 goals in 88 games before moving to Tottenham in 1992? Atkinson
Villa were founder members of the Football League in which year? 1888
Who was Villa's top scorer in their 2019-20 Premier League return season? Grealish
What was unique about Villa's kit in their 1982 European Cup Final victory? White
Who did Villa beat in the 1994 League Cup Final at Wembley? United
Which Villa player holds the record for most England caps while at the club? Southgate
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