Istanbul was the night of nights. So why does supporting Aston Villa feel like running on 75%? Price hikes, a missing stand and a game eaten by big business.
In an opinion piece for My Old Man Said, supporter Chris Budd reflects on feeling disconnected from Aston Villa despite their Europa League triumph in Istanbul. Budd argues that rising ticket prices, squad rebuilding, stadium redevelopment, and modern football commercialization have drained about 25 percent of his usual enthusiasm for the club.
The writer notes that while Unai Emery brought historic European success and returned the club to the Champions League, issues like heavy commercialization, financial rules, and an aging fan demographic have hurt matchday culture. He concludes that clubs risk alienating loyal supporters by treating them purely as commercial consumers during periods of transition.
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