Former Aston Villa defender admits ‘atmosphere won’t be the same’ at Villa Park this season (exclusive)

After a brutal summer, where the club lost several important first-team players, Aston Villa face the possibility of entering the first international break of the season inside the Premier League's bottom three.

The Villans have picked up just one point in the league so far, with Unai Emery now tasked with completing a rebuild that has largely been out of his control.

Naturally, there is currently plenty of doom and gloom around the club, and the situation isn't being helped by the ongoing Villa Park redevelopment, which is having an impact on the aesthetics and atmosphere at the club's home.

Alan Hutton weighs in on Villa Park debate

Aston Villa will play the entire season with a reduced capacity, with the North Stand set to be out of action until the beginning of next season, at the earliest.

It means that for one half of every home match, Aston Villa kick towards an empty stand, a situation that some fans feel is contributing towards the club's sluggish start to the season.

I have to admit Villa Park has completely lost its aura with no north stand

— H🏆 (@AV95x) September 12, 2026

Former Villa full-back Alan Hutton has given his thoughts on the situation, downplaying the significance of the empty stand. He told FGG:

“Personally, it wouldn’t affect me while I’m playing. Obviously, it changes the dynamic in the ground because it looks different and the atmosphere won’t be the same, but you’re too focused to notice that when you’re on the pitch.

“I can’t imagine it’s had an effect on the players or is a reason for their poor start to the season. The players should be too focused on what’s happening on the pitch for them to really notice it.“

FGG says: A convenient excuse?

When things start going wrong at a football club, it is only natural for fans to speculate the cause. However, as Hutton says, the ongoing work on the North Stand at Villa Park is highly unlikely to be having an impact on the Villa players. Instead, the situation boils down to the fact that a string of important players, including Morgan Rogers and Ollie Watkins, have all left the club.

Alan Hutton was speaking to FGG on behalf of NetBet sports betting.