Villa v City Tickets Still Available

got to get close to a sell out tonight surely?

I have just this minute phoned up to upgrade a junior season ticket to an adult and apparently there are thousands of tickets available. The girl I spoke with said the ticket office and phones were busy but they are hoping for a big 'walk up' on the night. Mind you it is only a game against the worlds richest club, who gave us some money and their captain in exchange for ours. I don't think it matters that it is Man City that we are competing against for a place in the top 4, or that it is our biggest home game of the season, or that the weather is OK. I believe there are lots of reasons why fans can't be bothered . . . . . . I just cant think of any!! However I am not going to say again that it is the lack of support that will eventually lead to us failing to take the wonderful opportunity that this club now has.

I think we need to start filling Villa Park more often to help us both on and off the field.

ah go on voiceoftheholte, say it again, you know you want to! I don't think people quite understand the suffering of families during this economic crisis made 10 times worse by the already massive problems in Brum and it's outlying regions following the closure of Rover and all the spin off companies who supplied to them.

I agree with u Fear, and if u cant afford it u cant afford it, but it would be great to get a rocking Villa Park 4 most of the games.

Oh I forgot business is booming in Sunderland, Newcastle, Manchester, Merseyside. Those areas have all escaped the economic downturn and that is the only reason all those areas are getiing better crowds for their football games. Silly me. I should have realised that the term 'worldwide economic downturn' only applied to Brum. Lets stop making excuses. There are many people that can't go due to finances. However pubs across the region will be full of people who would rather spend their money in a pub than on actually supporting the club. And it is these pretend supporters who will then be most vociferous in demanding this that and the other if things are not to their liking.

Agreed astonsteve, would be nice, some of it is probably down to the awful style of play as well sadly, every time they did an offer last year it seemed to get people down and then the games were dire, not all fans are died in the wool like some of us nutters who would go down to watch the paint dry if asked!

you always have to twist things voice, if you don't believe that people are suffering during this economic downturn then you lead a very nice life and long may that continue. Of course it isn't just brum, that wasn't what I was frigging well saying. No good trying to debate with someone with their mind totally closed though. There was a thread in our off topic recently with listings for the worst areas for repossessions, the midlands were amongst the worst. Newcastle by the way, isn't exactly selling out at the moment, now fair enough that is for many different reasons but one has to be the £££ to go and watch what can be total cack. I was at the Cardiff game, I have been to all the home games, I'll be at all the forthcoming ones. Not one has really got me on the edge of my seat so I don't blame some picking and choosing, Cardiff for instance was as dull a game as you can get, I'm sure some families have priorities over and above going to a game where they aren't sure if the manager will be taking it serioulsy or not. Now I agree it would be great to get Villa Park full, I thought it would be fuller and I remember saying on Sky before Doug went that once he's gone Randy and MON will get the place rocking and it will be full every week. The chap interviewing me was surprised I thought that, turns out I was wrong. You need to WOW some people down, I know you don't like that sort of statement, in truth I wish it wasn't true but it is. Some are bored of the long ball and the poor standard of football, there are us loyal fans who go for any game but I don't blame those who are stretched in different directions financially or who - shock horror - have other interests as well wanting to see a little more in the shape of entertainment before spending what is nowadays, an awful lot of money. It DOES disappoint me, sometimes i find it shocking, but there are two or even more sides to the attendance story, some are fickle fans, some poor football, some lack of finances and some just not sure of the seriousness of us competing. I go, I love it, so do you I know, but your judgement on those that don't always attend is always pretty damning. The attendances for other clubs isn't exactly a sell out mostly these days and we have been nearer the top of attenandance to capacity than most in recent years.

Have to agree to disagree fear. I have consitently said that none of my ramblings are aimed at those who can't afford to go, live too far away or who have home or family committments that make attending impossible. Every club has the same issue. What gets my goat is the fans that can afford to go, but who would rather put the money into their local pub to watch a game but who then make the loudest complaints that things aren't to their liking at the Villa. I am fortunate I can currently afford to go to most matches but who knows what the future holds? However there are 3.5 million adults within 25 miles of Villa Park. Currently less than 1% are match going Villa supporters. However there is also Blose, Wolves, Coventry and WBA. Altogether about 120,000 regularly attend games of these clubs . About 4% of the catchment area. There are less than half a million people within 20 miles of Newcastle. Work out the maths. There are less than 2 million people in the area the serves Bluescouse, redscouse, Man City, Blackburn, Wigan, Bolton, Burnley and Manure. Very simply 4 people in every hundred support their local team in the Midlands. In the north west is is about 1 in every 4. Work out the maths. Economics have a bearing, but simply put, it looks like we are a fickle bunch with a take it or leave it approach to our club. Sad and ultimately what will prevent us progressing.