The Aston Villa Fan Advisory Board (FAB) met on Monday 1 December 2025 for our latest internal meeting, held online. The session focused on final preparations for the launch of the FAB website, updates from each Working Group, and discussion of governance arrangements ahead of our meeting with the Club at Villa Park the following day.
As always, our aim is to ensure supporters’ voices are represented clearly, independently, and constructively.
Website Launch Confirmed
We are pleased to confirm that the FAB website will officially launch on 4 December 2025, following confirmation that the Aston Villa Communications Team is satisfied with the final version.
The launch will feature a “First 100 Days” story, outlining the FAB’s purpose, structure, and early priorities. This marks an important milestone in improving transparency, accessibility, and communication with supporters.
To support this, training will be provided to FAB members on:
- Accessing and using Working Group email accounts
- Managing website content and backend systems
This will ensure continuity and professionalism as our work develops.
Governance and Co-Opted Members
The FAB discussed recent feedback from the Club suggesting a preference for co-opted members being drawn from a central pool. While welcoming collaboration, the FAB reaffirmed its preference for a flexible, ad hoc approach, appointing co-opted members based on specific expertise needed for individual projects.
This approach allows the FAB to respond effectively to evolving issues and will be discussed further with the Club at the Villa Park meeting.
Working Group Updates
Each Working Group shared progress updates:
Women’s Football
- The Women’s clothing range remains an area for improvement and will be raised with the Club.
- The next Women’s Fan Forum is scheduled for 16 December.
- Several supporters from the last forum have expressed interest in joining the extended group; approval is currently with the Club.
- The Women in Football strand is awaiting responses and meetings with relevant Club staff.
Culture
- A three-year Culture Plan, comprising 14 initiatives, has been submitted to the Club.
- Requests have been made for meetings with key internal stakeholders to support delivery, with the Club asked to facilitate introductions.
- Work will continue to ensure supporter experience and stadium atmosphere remain central to this strand.
Accessibility
A written update highlighted several important developments:
- The Premier League is preparing the PLEDIS framework (Premier League Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Standard), with three levels of recognition.
- There is growing openness to alternatives to digital-only ticketing, reflecting accessibility concerns.
- Disabled supporters’ feedback is being gathered to inform Premier League discussions.
- Ongoing concerns were raised regarding wheelchair allocations for European away matches, including inconsistencies in Club requests and UEFA processes.
- Best-practice discussions are underway with other clubs to strengthen this work.
Accessibility issues will continue to be raised with the Club where appropriate.
Fan Engagement & Communications
- Significant contributions have been made to the website’s content and structure.
- Meetings are underway to progress matchday experience priorities.
- Existing matchday survey frameworks are being reviewed to identify key areas for focus.
- Coordination between Ticketing communications and Fan Engagement messaging remains an active area of discussion.
Ticketing
- The Working Group continues to follow up on outstanding ticketing queries with the Club.
- Digital ticket access remains the primary concern raised by supporters.
- The FAB reiterated its support for the FSA Fair Ticket Price Freeze, which the Club is aware of.
Key Decisions
The FAB confirmed the following:
- Website launch confirmed for 4 December 2025.
- Continued preference for ad hoc co-opted members, based on relevant expertise.
- Grant Adams will remain in post, with the Board recognising that fluctuating personal and work commitments are normal and manageable.
Next Steps
- Website and email system training to be delivered to FAB members.
- Co-opted membership governance to be discussed with the Club.
- Ongoing Working Group actions to progress ahead of early 2026 planning.
- Proposed dates for future internal and Club meetings to be confirmed.
The next formal meeting with Aston Villa takes place on:
Tuesday 2 December 2025
Villa Park
A Continued Commitment to Transparency
This meeting marked an important point of transition as the FAB moves from establishment into delivery. With the website launch imminent, clearer communication channels in place, and Working Group plans progressing, we remain focused on representing supporters openly, independently, and constructively.
Further updates will follow after the website launch and our next meeting with the Club.
UTV — Prepared, one voice.