The Holte Roar promises "intelligent, independent coverage" of Aston Villa as new title lands on CounterPress

Aston Villa fans will have a new local media title dedicated entirely to high-quality coverage of the club this season, powered by CounterPress.

The Holte Roar launches later this month, with a mission to provide intelligent, independent coverage of Villa - free from intrusive advertising and with the fan community as its core.

The site will be fronted by football writer and commentator Andrea Locorotondo and journalist Michael Plant.

Andrea began his career covering Leicester City for the stats company, before taking up the baton from the legend, Gary Shaw, following the much-loved Villan's sad passing. Andrea moved from Italy to Birmingham 11 years ago and never left.

A member of both the Sports Journalists' Association and the International Sports Press Association, he has also completed several levels of scouting qualifications with the Professional Football Scouts Association.

At The Holte Roar, Andrea leads in-person matchday reporting, statistical analysis and coverage of the women's and youth teams, bringing a data journalist's eye to the detail behind the stories.

Michael has worked as a Premier League reporter for eight years, covering Manchester United, Manchester City and Liverpool, but is set to embark on an exciting new chapter, chronicling the exploits of his boyhood club.

In addition to writing for ManchesterWorld and Liverpool.com, Michael has worked for the FA, BBC Sport and Goal. He is determined to channel the skills learnt from nearly a decade in the industry toward providing first-class Villa coverage.

The Holte Roar members can look forward to detailed reporting on the club across the men’s, women’s and youth teams. Supporters can anticipate insight into the biggest Villa stories, opinions and statistical analysis during an exciting period in the club’s history.

In today’s clickbait-oriented media landscape, Andrea and Michael are determined to offer a platform where Villa fans feel informed, yet are not bombarded with a surplus of mediocre content. The Holte Roar will be supporters’ one-stop Villa outlet, with reporting on the topics and stories that fans truly care about.

Andrea said: "When I took over Gary Shaw's role at Opta after he sadly passed away, I felt a responsibility to every Villa supporter to try and walk in his shoes. That same sense of responsibility and dedication is what I want to bring to The Holte Roar.

"Villa fans deserve coverage that respects their intelligence rather than chasing their clicks. So much football media now measures success by volume; we want to be judged on the quality of what we produce, not the quantity.

"That means being at the games, getting into the numbers, and giving the women's and youth teams the genuine attention they're so often denied. If it matters to Villa, it will matter to us."

Michael added: “I could not be more excited to start this new venture. Villa is in my blood; I’m the fourth generation of my family to be taken in by the club.

“From rain-soaked winter defeats in Wigan to glorious sunny days at Wembley, like so many supporters, I have experienced every possible emotion following the club.

“I believe there is a gap in Villa’s media coverage and room for a new site that brings regular, nuanced reporting for the club’s more engaged supporter. And what a time to start. Fresh from Villa’s European triumph, I cannot wait to get stuck into what will surely be another fascinating campaign.”

The Holte Roar's early interest waiting list is now open ahead of a full launch later this month.

Aston Villa becomes the seventh Premier League club to get a dedicated website on CounterPress, joining The Brighton Base (Brighton and Hove Albion), Cherries On Top (AFC Bournemouth), The Phoenix (Coventry City), Saturday White Fever (Fulham), The Sunderland Stories (Sunderland) and The 1878 (Manchester United).

CounterPress offers the technical infrastructure and industry knowledge and support that journalists and creators need to build their own media brand.

Co-founder Sam Morshead said: "I’ve been really taken by Andrea and Michael’s love for and knowledge of Aston Villa, at all levels.

“The Holte Roar is going to provide a real range of coverage across the club, catering for the supporter who is interested in all aspects of what’s going on at Villa Park.

“I’m delighted they've chosen CounterPress, and look forward to helping them build a service of substance and value for their community.”