Aston Villa is currently navigating a period of transition as construction continues on the North Stand, a project slated for completion next year. The ongoing work has reduced the stadium’s capacity to approximately 37,000, leaving a visible void that many believe has altered the atmosphere of the ground. While the club views this infrastructure investment as a vital step to bridging the financial gap within the Premier League, the team is currently enduring what head coach Unai Emery acknowledges is a difficult home spell. The North Stand is a shell and currently closed for building work as the club increases the stadium’s capacity to over 50,000. But they may have to endure some short-term pain for long-term gain, it is part of the club’s plan to help Villa bridge the financial gap in the Premier League.
Emery, who recently showed rare candor regarding his team’s form following a 2-2 draw with Brentford, emphasized that the lack of a full crowd is a handicap, yet insisted it cannot serve as an excuse. The Spaniard maintains that his squad must focus on playing better, competing more effectively, and increasing their concentration levels regardless of the structural limitations. He noted that while the club is currently in a phase of improvement, the results have not yet met expectations, leading to frequent team meetings and video analysis sessions to rectify their defensive frailties. Highlights: Ajer scores late to earn Brentford draw at Aston Villa. But the club decided it, our handicap is less supporters for the situation.
Defensive stability has been a particular concern, with Villa keeping only one clean sheet this season. The team’s home form has seen a noticeable dip since the turn of the year, marking a shift from the period between November 2022 and January 2026, when they lost only eight of 61 home Premier League games. During that dominant run, Villa achieved 15 consecutive home victories from March 2023 to December 2023 and maintained an unbeaten top-flight record for 12 months between August 2024 and August 2025. Something Emery knows must improve regardless of the rebuild, that could present a problem for a Villa defence that has kept just one clean sheet this season and been increasingly fallible at home.
The current season has already seen losses at home to Arsenal and Nottingham Forest, alongside a draw against an unbeaten Brentford side. Defender Matty Cash admitted the atmosphere feels different without the full capacity, though he echoed Emery’s sentiment that players must deal with the circumstances. Cash emphasized that the team needs to rediscover the high standards of their past home performances, particularly in European competitions, where their record has remained largely impressive under Emery’s guidance.
Despite these domestic struggles, Villa looks to maintain their momentum in the Champions League. They are set to host Fenerbahce on Wednesday, a side currently in prolific form after scoring 11 goals in their last two outings, including an 8-0 demolition of Eyupspor. The match will also feature a return to Birmingham for Marcos Asensio, who enjoyed a successful loan spell at Villa in 2025. Following their opening victory against Club Brugge, successive wins in Europe could secure qualification before November. Who scored eight goals for Emery’s men during a successful loan from Paris St-Germain in 2025 – and a reminder of the swagger Villa used to have at home, with them is Marcos Asensio. With Fenerbahce netting 11 goals in their last two games, including an 8-0 victory against Turkish Super Lig strugglers Eyupspor, he scored in Saturday’s 3-0 win over Rizespor.
Reflecting on the challenges ahead, Cash noted that the upcoming European tests are significant and that the team aims to use the support of the current three-stand configuration to their advantage. While the physical state of the North Stand remains a shell, the club is prioritizing long-term development. Meanwhile, opposing managers have noted the peculiar environment created by the construction, with Brentford boss Keith Andrews admitting that playing at a stadium with a missing stand presents a unique challenge for visiting teams.
