RTG’s totally and utterly (we hope) indispensable guide to this season’s away grounds.
THE OPPO – Aston Villa FC
DATE – Sunday 7 May
KO TIME – 3pm
THE GROUND – Villa Park – click here for maps of the area – the red circle shows where the ground is.
Away supporters are accommodated in the lower tier of the north stand and/or the Doug Ellis Stand, depending on how many visitors have purchased tickets.
TICKETS
Tickets are no longer on sale from Black Cats House (SoL) but some tickets will be available from the ticket office at Villa Park on matchday, subject to availability – £26 adults, £15 senior citizens, £15 juniors.
GOING BY CAR?
For the final time this season……from Sunderland take the A690 then A1/A1(M) southbound then M1 southbound.
Leave M1 at jcn 23A (Donington Park) and take the A42 south-west in the direction of Ashby-de-la-Zouch, then it eventually becomes the M42 so take that road. Leave the M42 at jcn 7 then leave the M6 at jcn 6, for the A38M Aston Expressway. Take the first exit right onto Victoria Road then at the roundabout turn right onto Witton Road and you’re just about there.
Note: if you have time to spare on the way to the match and even remotely interested in Formula One, when you leave the M1 at j23A follow the signs for The Donington Collection. If you simply get that far and need to stop for a pee/food and drink/fuel, there’s a ‘Moto’ service area with a fairly sizeable food hall and selection of places to eat and drink.
When you arrive at Villa it’s mostly on-street parking, so beware of ‘residents only’ schemes or you’ll be paying to get your car unclamped before you set off for the long drive home.
GOING BY TRAIN?
The 0910 Virgin Trains service from Newcastle gets you to York just after 11am where you change for the 1120 Virgin Trains service to Birmingham New Street – which arrives a shade after 1.30pm. From there either get a cab for the 15 minute journey to Villa Park OR, from New Street, change for a train to Aston – takes less than 10 minutes and the trains run about every 15-20 minutes, and it’ll only set you back a couple of quid.
Coming home: the 1830 Virgin Trains service from New Street gets you to York for 2046, where you change for the 2115 GNER service which arrives back in Newcastle at 2336.
Train times and ticket prices available online at http://www.nationalrail.co.uk or www.thetrainline.com.
STOPPING OVER?
* Travelodge Birmingham Ctr, Broad Street – 0870 191 1564
* Premier Travel Inn, Birmingham Ctr – 0870 238 3312
* Holiday Inn Express, Lionel Street – 0870 400 9670
A.L.S. TRAVEL?
Call 0191 5654422 for details.
WHERE TO DRINK
Pubs close to the ground are the Harriers, and the Faculty & Firkin.
LEND US A FIVER I’M OUT OF CASH
There’s an RBS cash machine at the nearby Tesco on Goldsmith Avenue, and a Nationwide Building Society one at the Total garage on Milton Road. At The Cap & Gown, half the pub is given over to away supporters – it’s close to the away supporters’ entrance to the ground. Otherwise there’s plenty of choice in Birmingham city centre. NOTE: we are advised that alcohol is not available in the away end of the ground.
Credits: National Rail, Internet Ground Guide, www.multimap.com, Link.
