Villa Park Champions League final claim made as North Stand redevelopment continues (exclusive)

Former Aston Villa striker Darren Bent believes Villa Park could host a Champions League final in the future, describing the historic ground as a stadium that deserves to stage one of European football's biggest occasions.

Villa Park is currently undergoing a major transformation, with the £100m North Stand redevelopment forming part of the club's ambition to take its capacity beyond 50,000 ahead of Euro 2028.

The project is another important step in modernising the ground, but Bent believes its traditional character should remain part of its appeal, even as Aston Villa continue to improve the facilities.

The former England international, who scored 21 goals in 61 appearances for Villa, also reflected on his affection for the stadium and recalled the atmosphere surrounding the old FA Cup semi-finals.

Darren Bent believes Villa Park deserves Champions League final

Bent feels Villa Park has the history, capacity and supporters to justify hosting a major European final, although he recognises that there are several other grounds across the country worthy of similar recognition.

“There are so many stadiums up and down the country that deserve something. The fact that Villa Park is being used for the Euros is fantastic because it's an old-fashioned football ground with so much history and heritage.

“I miss the old FA Cup semi-finals being played there because I think it was amazing to play at that stadium. It has a big pitch, big capacity and great fanbase. It deserves it. I love it.

“Who knows, maybe in the future it might hold a Champions League final. Being part of Villa's history and playing at that stadium always brings back fond memories.”

Villa Park is already confirmed as a venue for Euro 2028, while the North Stand redevelopment is expected to increase the stadium's overall capacity beyond 50,000. 

The club accelerated the construction programme by closing the stand for the entirety of the 2026-27 season, with the aim of having the new facilities ready for the 2027-28 campaign. 

Bent wants Villa Park's traditional character preserved

While Bent recognises that stadiums must evolve, he is particularly fond of the gaps between the stands at Villa Park, which give the ground a different feel from the increasingly common bowl-shaped designs.

“I still like the fact that Villa Park has, in certain corners, little gaps, so it feels like four separate stands. I quite like that.

“Almost all stadiums in Europe are now circular, bowl-like structures, like Spurs' stadium and the Emirates. Maybe it's just part of our football heritage. English football stadiums have traditionally been built that way, and I like that some of them are still like that.

“I understand that in the future they may have to change and fill the corners in, but while it's still there, just appreciate it.”

The North Stand project will adapt and extend the existing structure rather than completely replace it, with the redevelopment also bringing improved hospitality and player facilities. The wider stadium project is intended to take Villa Park beyond the 50,000-seat mark. 

Villa Park already meets UEFA's Category Four stadium requirements, making it eligible to host major European matches. 

However, a Champions League final would be a more demanding prospect, with recent men's finals generally staged at grounds holding at least 65,000 spectators.

Its expanded capacity would therefore remain below the usual level for the competition's showpiece fixture. 

FGG Says: Villa Park's history is part of its appea

The North Stand redevelopment will increase capacity and improve facilities, but Villa Park's traditional layout remains a major part of its identity.

Hosting a Champions League final would be a significant achievement, although the stadium's capacity could prove a barrier to securing the men's showpiece.

For now, Euro 2028 offers Villa Park another opportunity to demonstrate its credentials on the international stage, while the redevelopment should leave the ground better equipped for the future.

Darren Bent was speaking to FGG on behalf of MrQ Live Casino