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‘Absolute joke’: Some Aston Villa fans fuming over what the club did on Thursday morning

Giuseppe Labellarte

Thu 18 November 2021 16:14, UK

A number of Aston Villa fans have criticised the club for charging supporters to watch Steven Gerrard’s first press conference live.

The Premier League outfit announced Gerrard as their new manager last week, bringing him to Villa Park from Rangers.

On Thursday morning, ahead of Villa’s Premier League weekend meeting with Brighton, Gerrard spoke to the media.

The press conference was shown live on VillaTV+, which hosts premium Villa content and costs £1.99 a month.

However, some Villa fans weren’t happy with the principle of having to watch their new manager’s first press conference – a big occasion – as it happened.

Here’s what some Villa supporters said on social media:

Absolute shocker trying to squeeze a few quid out of fans already paying for shirts and tickets. Especially with the way things are in the economy at the moment. Shameful.

— Paul McCabe (@plumpaul1)

Imagine charging your fans for a press conference that will be public to everyone in a few hours, doesn’t matter that it’s only £2, extremely poor form from a club that should be trying to win its fans back

— Bigzy (@Bigzy4444)

Disgrace I thought Aston Villa was the fans club not just those who are prepared to pay for it, supported villa for 54 yrs isn’t that payment enough

— mak (@chimaira1967)

Bad form putting this behind a paywall

— Danny H (@danielhavfc)

No it’s a joke

— joe (@avfc_jf)

Shouldn’t have to pay to watch this. Disgraceful

— steve (@SMGBirmingham)

Honestly charging us fans to watch our new manager be unveiled is an absolute joke Villa. Sort it out

— hj.at6 (@hj_at6)

This is a huge thing for the club and you’ve stuck it behind a paywall

— Ryan (@RJBrayshaw)

Villa later uploaded the full press conference on their website for free.

But some fans were still not impressed:

Didn’t need to pay then

— Olly (@_AVFCOlly)

I’ve just paid £2 a month to watch it for free later? It’s only £2 but what’s the point?!

— Warren (@warrenavfc)

Making us pay to watch… WTF

— Anthony W 💙 (@Anthony38696111)

4 hours later for free 😂

— Ben (@BenAvfc94)

Villa have lost their last five league fixtures and went into the November international break 16th in the table, just two points above the drop zone.

Their last victory came on 25 September, when they ran out 1-0 winners over Manchester United.