Aston Villa fans know Witton Station well. But the Villans have been waiting a while for an upgrade to the main train station serving Villa Park. Almost three years ago (Thursday, December 21, 2023), a revamped Witton was proposed, with work now underway and expected to be completed in spring 2028.
“Everyone who has ever tried to travel to Villa Park via the railway on a matchday knows just how unfit for purpose Witton Station is,” said Andy Street, former Mayor of the West Midlands. “With its narrow platforms combined with frequent overcrowding, it really does make for a miserable experience.”
As Villa Park prepares to host Euro 2028 fixtures, the need to overhaul the station isn’t being underestimated. The Birmingham stadium will host four international football games on June 11, 15, 20 and 27, including a R16 match. Work also supports Villa’s North Stand expansion, which is due to finish ahead of the next season in 2027.
Witton
Improvements may include new passenger ramps to both platforms, a new pedestrian and cyclist subway under the line at Station Road, wider and deeper platforms, and replacing platform shelters with open canopies. But the council will work with Villa to finalise exactly how Witton will look.
Expected to cost an estimated £25 million, so far only £4.9 million has been committed to upgrading the station, but the remaining funding is due in early 2027. A recent report from Villa itself stated that for every £1 spent on Witton Station, it would return £1.80 in benefits.
Aston Villa
Network Rail has said there should be no disruption to fans on Villa matchdays, with the most significant disruption expected to take place during the summer and September international break. There are also plans to improve Aston Station, but there is no more news on this yet.
