Zhan_Zhuang Posted April 3, 2023 Share Posted April 3, 2023 I have managed to get tickets for myself and the middle son who is seven years old and this will be his first game at Villa Park. Got one of my three boys mad about the Villa. Living outside of England it's been a few years since I saw a game so we are both looking forward to it. Firstly what are our chances off seeing the players? Is it better before or after the game? Second can I take a rucksack in with us? I was thinking I'd take my camera but then wasn't sure if this was allowed? Finally is the Villa store closed after the game? Should we do our shopping there before? Thanks. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OutByEaster? Posted April 4, 2023 Moderator Share Posted April 4, 2023 Players I'm not sure of - but I'd recommend get there early, do your shopping first and take the boy into the academy building - there's inflatable stuff, he can have a kickabout and there are all sorts of activities for kids. I think you'll be fine with a rucksack, they'll search it on the way in, but I don't think it'll be a problem. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zhan_Zhuang Posted April 4, 2023 Author Share Posted April 4, 2023 (edited) 1 hour ago, OutByEaster? said: Players I'm not sure of - but I'd recommend get there early, do your shopping first and take the boy into the academy building - there's inflatable stuff, he can have a kickabout and there are all sorts of activities for kids. I think you'll be fine with a rucksack, they'll search it on the way in, but I don't think it'll be a problem. Great, thank you for replying. What time is early? Are there still car-parks around the ground? Academy building next to the Club shop right? Edited April 4, 2023 by Zhan_Zhuang Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
limpid Posted April 4, 2023 Administrator Share Posted April 4, 2023 10 hours ago, Zhan_Zhuang said: Second can I take a rucksack in with us? I was thinking I'd take my camera but then wasn't sure if this was allowed? It used to be a specific term on the tickets that you couldn't take a camera in. Double check the T&Cs on the OS. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rjw63 Posted April 4, 2023 Share Posted April 4, 2023 If you are taking a drink in, make sure the cap is off and secreted somewhere about your person. Drinks not opened are not allowed, ridiculous I know. Unless they have changed the rules (I haven't been since the Lamebert days) but I doubt it. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ender4 Posted April 4, 2023 Share Posted April 4, 2023 10 hours ago, Zhan_Zhuang said: Second can I take a rucksack in with us? I was thinking I'd take my camera but then wasn't sure if this was allowed? You can definitely take your rucksack in. It will get searched for any bottles or cans. Non-disposable flask is ok to take in. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ender4 Posted April 4, 2023 Share Posted April 4, 2023 2 hours ago, Zhan_Zhuang said: Academy building next to the Club shop right? Yes, to the right of the club shop. They have some fun activities for the kids, including free face-painting. But get there nice and early, the last hour before the match, it's so busy in there and the queues for activities and face-painting are too long. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zhan_Zhuang Posted April 4, 2023 Author Share Posted April 4, 2023 1 hour ago, limpid said: It used to be a specific term on the tickets that you couldn't take a camera in. Double check the T&Cs on the OS. Last time I was down was four or five years ago and I definitely took a camera in; think I might just leave it to be on the safe side. Thanks. 55 minutes ago, rjw63 said: If you are taking a drink in, make sure the cap is off and secreted somewhere about your person. Drinks not opened are not allowed, ridiculous I know. Unless they have changed the rules (I haven't been since the Lamebert days) but I doubt it. Bonkers isn't it? Thanks again. 48 minutes ago, ender4 said: You can definitely take your rucksack in. It will get searched for any bottles or cans. Non-disposable flask is ok to take in. Great. 47 minutes ago, ender4 said: Yes, to the right of the club shop. They have some fun activities for the kids, including free face-painting. But get there nice and early, the last hour before the match, it's so busy in there and the queues for activities and face-painting are too long. I remember taking the older boy in there about six years ago, will try to get in early on Saturday. Thank you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Fun Factory Posted April 4, 2023 Share Posted April 4, 2023 The AVFC website does a matchday guide for each game, which usually comes up a few days before the match. That should answer quite a lot of your questions. I have seen in other threads that under Emery the players arrive by coach and head straight in to Trinity Road. In the past they used to drive in and have other pictures taken. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrBlack Posted April 4, 2023 Share Posted April 4, 2023 I think McGinn and one other are regularly reliable at going to see the fans that have waited at the gate after the match. The rest might be pot luck. But it can take some time before they show up so unless you're OK to stand around for a while and risk not seeing them it's probably not advisable. The shop was open after the last early kick off I went to (as i went in), haven't really noticed whether it is or not after later games though 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Rev Posted April 4, 2023 Share Posted April 4, 2023 I've taken a camera into Villa Park plenty of times. Given that there are 40,000 mobile phones in the ground most weeks the club cannot be too precious about recording equipment anymore. As ever with a camera it does depend on what lens you've got on the front. I've never tried to take a massive zoom into the ground, just a 35mm equivalent pancake lens which no steward has ever had an issue with. So you'll probably be fine unless you did plan to get close ups of the players. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zhan_Zhuang Posted April 4, 2023 Author Share Posted April 4, 2023 4 hours ago, The_Rev said: I've taken a camera into Villa Park plenty of times. Given that there are 40,000 mobile phones in the ground most weeks the club cannot be too precious about recording equipment anymore. As ever with a camera it does depend on what lens you've got on the front. I've never tried to take a massive zoom into the ground, just a 35mm equivalent pancake lens which no steward has ever had an issue with. So you'll probably be fine unless you did plan to get close ups of the players. Now you have influenced me to take it, I did it last time I was there at Villa Park. Thank you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Follyfoot Posted April 4, 2023 VT Supporter Share Posted April 4, 2023 The Yew Tree has just revamped their car park and is positioned well for the ground. Get there at 1.30pm and will get a space. Hope your lad and you enjoy the experience UTV 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheStagMan Posted April 4, 2023 Share Posted April 4, 2023 (edited) 1 hour ago, Zhan_Zhuang said: Now you have influenced me to take it, I did it last time I was there at Villa Park. Thank you. I have never had a problem taking a camera with a decent zoom lens into the ground (admittedly a while back) Taken from the Doug Ellis (M2) - I had to massively shrink it to upload on here! Edited April 4, 2023 by TheStagMan 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zhan_Zhuang Posted April 4, 2023 Author Share Posted April 4, 2023 1 hour ago, Follyfoot said: The Yew Tree has just revamped their car park and is positioned well for the ground. Get there at 1.30pm and will get a space. Hope your lad and you enjoy the experience UTV Excellent, thank you! 39 minutes ago, TheStagMan said: I have never had a problem taking a camera with a decent zoom lens into the ground (admittedly a while back) Taken from the Doug Ellis (M2) - I had to massively shrink it to upload on here! Great photo. Jedi in all his bearded greatness, forgot about Steve Clarke there too. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don_Simon Posted April 5, 2023 Share Posted April 5, 2023 23 hours ago, TheStagMan said: I have never had a problem taking a camera with a decent zoom lens into the ground (admittedly a while back) Taken from the Doug Ellis (M2) - I had to massively shrink it to upload on here! Sweet jesus, this is a depressing photo. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
It's Your Round Posted April 6, 2023 Share Posted April 6, 2023 On 04/04/2023 at 23:34, TheStagMan said: I have never had a problem taking a camera with a decent zoom lens into the ground (admittedly a while back) Taken from the Doug Ellis (M2) - I had to massively shrink it to upload on here! Would have been an easy shot with a sniper rifle 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brumstopdogs Posted April 8, 2023 Share Posted April 8, 2023 @Zhan_Zhuangdid you and your son enjoy your day out at the Villa? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Zhan_Zhuang Posted April 8, 2023 Author Popular Post Share Posted April 8, 2023 3 hours ago, Brumstopdogs said: @Zhan_Zhuangdid you and your son enjoy your day out at the Villa? Absolutely and thank you for asking. We saw Prince William, Naseef, Villa team bus arrive before the game. A poor first-half yet a better second-half made up for it. After the game my son got to meet and get a selfie with his second favourite player Buendia and his favourite player Cash among others. I was surprised by how many came over and signed / took selfies...Martinez, Duràn, Cash, Watkins. Even got a selfie with Unia Emery which I was really happy about, seems a great guy. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ender4 Posted April 9, 2023 Share Posted April 9, 2023 (edited) 8 hours ago, Zhan_Zhuang said: Absolutely and thank you for asking. We saw Prince William, Naseef, Villa team bus arrive before the game. A poor first-half yet a better second-half made up for it. After the game my son got to meet and get a selfie with his second favourite player Buendia and his favourite player Cash among others. I was surprised by how many came over and signed / took selfies...Martinez, Duràn, Cash, Watkins. Even got a selfie with Unia Emery which I was really happy about, seems a great guy. Where did you meet all these players and manager? Outside the ground after the match? @Zhan_Zhuang Edited April 9, 2023 by ender4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts