Aston Villa looking at bringing back terraces

Aston Villa are investigating the possibility of a safe-standing area at Villa Park in a bid to boost attendances and improve the atmosphere.

Chief executive Paul Faulkner broached the subject with fans at a supporters' consultation group before their 1-1 home draw with Everton on Saturday and was encouraged by the reaction.

Villa's interest comes after the Scottish Premier League confirmed after a general meeting of the league's 12 clubs at end of last year that they will consider requests for pilot safe-standing schemes.

Scotland is not bound by the legislation that banned standing areas in top-flight football in England, which came in to force after the Taylor Report into the Hillsborough disaster in 1989.

Based on similar models in Germany, the Football Supporters' Federation has reasoned for the introduction of safe-standing areas and Safe Standing Campaign co-ordinator, Peter Daykin, believes it could be a possibility for Villa and other English clubs.

"We're delighted that the SPL has engaged with its supporters and reacted to fan demand for standing in this way. The setting up of pilot schemes is the next logical step in the debate and we will keenly watch developments in Scotland," said Daykin.

"We can only expect to see the clamour for safe standing in England to grow yet further.

"If the Scottish experiment proves to be successful, the Premier League and Football League could join our call for the legislation to be reviewed."

Meanwhile, Alex McLeish today predicted a quiet final two weeks for Villa in the rest of the transfer window having snapped up ex-Wolves striker Robbie Keane on loan from LA Galaxy and signed Irish compatriot Enda Stevens from Shamrock Rovers.

The Villa boss may allow Fabian Delph to join former club Leeds United on loan after Simon Grayson got in touch with him about a possible temporary switch.

"Unless somebody goes there's probably not any scope for anything. I won't be busy. We are still steering a ship in terms of managing the wages," said McLeish.

"At the end of the day you might need to lose a good player to supplement the squad, but at the moment there's nothing imminent at all. There's no way we will add to the wages unless some of the wages are offloaded."