Aston Villa has been under plenty of scrutiny from its supporters this week after the prices for its Champions League tickets were revealed.
After over 40 years outside of the competition, Villa have now returned to the Champions League.
Unai Emery’s wonders at Villa Park have continued to reap rewards after a fourth-place finish in the Premier League secured qualification last season.
However, for many lifelong fans, they may now struggle to get a ticket. Villa announced the prices for the competition earlier this week, with some tickets costing £97.
The prices of the Champions League tickets have caused outrage from supporters and now former Villain Collymore has joined the condemnation.
Stan Collymore claims Aston Villa’s Champions League ticket prices are a ‘disgrace’
The Champions League is no doubt the pinnacle club competition in Europe. Every team in the world wants to be in it, and equally so do the fans.
Therefore, when Villa qualified last season, it caused mass celebration at Villa Park. Yet, with Villa set to play at least eight games in the competition, fans could be forced to pay around £400 to see every home game.
For many, this is simply unaffordable, with Collymore condemning the prices online.
Speaking to Caught Offside, he said: “Despite all of this though, the club, who have decided to charge season ticket-holders between £85 and £97 for Champions League home games, are using the feel-good factor to cash in while they can, and I think it’s an absolute disgrace!
“I have a friend who is a die-hard Villa fan — he can count on one hand how many games he’s missed, including pre-season friendlies, in the past 10 years — but even he is being fleeced, and it’s not right.
“I urge Villa, who are the club I have followed and supported since I was a kid, to reconsider their recent pricing decision.”
Read more: How much money Aston Villa will make from the Champions League.
Aston Villa need to rethink their Champions League ticket prices
With the Champions League set to get underway after the international break, it is no secret that many supporters are going to be struggling to buy tickets.
This could well come back to haunt Villa as it could create a poor atmosphere for the matches, right when the club may need it most.
Villa have already reverted their prices for the disabled parking and there is no reason why the club cannot revisit this area as well.
The money they will gain from the ticket price hike is simply not worth the consequences, as fans slowly become more disillusioned with the Claret and Blue side.
