Villa's home struggles continue amid North Stand rebuild as Champions League returns
Aston Villa remain winless at home this season as reduced capacity from the North Stand rebuild coincides with faltering home form, with Unai Emery and Matty Cash both refusing to use the construction as an excuse.
Aston Villa are still searching for their first home win of the season after a 2-2 draw with Brentford, a result that leaves Unai Emery's side without a victory at Villa Park in the current campaign. The North Stand is closed for construction work as the club expands capacity beyond 50,000, reducing matchday attendance to around 37,000.
Emery has been candid about the impact. The head coach described the loss of roughly 7,000 supporters as a "handicap," while stressing that the project was a club decision designed to improve the team's long-term prospects. He argued that better football, stronger competition and greater focus matter more than the missing stand, adding that his squad continues to work through meetings and video sessions in pursuit of improvement.
Defender Matty Cash acknowledged the atmosphere is different with one stand absent but rejected the notion of using it as an excuse. He said the players must deal with the circumstances in front of them and predicted the finished stadium will be excellent, while noting the current situation feels unusual.
The concern is not purely about this season's construction. Villa's home dominance under Emery has faded since the turn of the year. Between November 2022 and January 2026 they lost just eight of 61 home Premier League games, including a 15-match winning run, but defeats by Everton, Brentford, Chelsea and Tottenham late last season and this season's draws and losses have made Villa Park feel far less formidable. Brentford boss Keith Andrews said he disliked playing with one stand missing.
European nights have been a different story. Villa have lost only once at home in Europe under Emery, against Olympiacos in the 2024 Europa Conference League semi-final, and lifted the Europa League in May. Fenerbahce visit on Wednesday in the Champions League, bringing former loanee Marco Asensio, who scored eight goals for Villa in 2025. The Turkish side have scored 11 goals in their last two games, including an 8-0 win over Eyupspor, testing a Villa defence with one clean sheet this season. Cash called it a massive test but insisted Villa need to win such games, hoping Villa Park can be "three-stand loud."
Image: Getty Images / BBC Sport
