‘Aston Villa could spend £200m after new reveal’ – Stefan Borson
Aston Villa are exploring ways to increase their revenues as they look to consistently challenge for Champions League football.
Unai Emery’s side currently sit seventh in the Premier League table, with five Champions League spots available to top-flight clubs this season.
Villa have faced profit and sustainability (PSR) issues over the past couple of years after spending close to the allowable losses limit.
Under the PSR rules, Premier League clubs are only permitted to lose £105million over a rolling three-year period.
Villa have confirmed plans to redevelop the North Stand at Villa Park as they look to boost their matchday revenue.
The project, which the club hope will be completed by the second half of 2027, will take the stadium’s capacity from 42,918 to more than 50,000.
Former Man City financial adviser Stefan Borson exclusively told Football Insider the development could cost up to £200million.
Villa posted a club-record revenue in 2023-24 after their turnover increased from £217.7million in 2022-23 to £275.7million, while their losses fell from £119.6million to £85.4million.
Matchday income at Villa Park improved from £18.8million to £28million, with the club’s commercial revenue surging from £46.4million to £63.3million.
Aston Villa could face ticket issue after new twist
Borson insisted Villa could face ticketing issues if they fail to qualify for the Champions League.
He told Football Insider: “City’s stand is costing about £300million, but these are all bespoke building projects.
“The payback is over 25 years. In the grand scheme of things, you would think Villa would be able to do a good deal to make it make sense.
“They could maybe add 5,000-10,000 seats and it cost them £200million rather than all the ideas where you’ve got to rebuild stadia, so I’m sure it’ll make financial sense.
“There is obviously some latent demand there because they’ve got relatively low capacity, so I think it’s a bit of a no-brainer for Villa right now.
“They have got great momentum, so right now could sell it out. But they will have ticketing issues.
“Their pricing for their Champions League games was extremely high, and you’re dealing with people and fans who simply don’t have the money to be able to buy multiple games at £70-80 a game for multiple people because you’re rarely going as one person.
“That will be a challenge to see how robust the demand is going forward, especially if they’re not in the Champions League.”
| Club (Stadium) | Capacity |
| Man United (Old Trafford) | 74,197 |
| Tottenham (Tottenham Hotspur Stadium) | 62,850 |
| West Ham (London Stadium) | 62,500 |
| Liverpool (Anfield) | 61,276 |
| Arsenal (Emirates Stadium) | 60,704 |
| Man City (Etihad Stadium) | 52,900 |
| Newcastle (St James’ Park) | 52,258 |
| Aston Villa (Villa Park) | 42,918 |
Aston Villa could sell Ollie Watkins after Marcus Rashford swoop
In terms of matters on the pitch, Football Insider revealed on 21 April Villa are considering signing Marcus Rashford permanently and selling Ollie Watkins for £50-60million.
Villa have the option to sign Rashford from Manchester United for £40million when his loan deal ends this summer.
It is believed Emery’s side will need to be creative yet again in the upcoming transfer window to ensure they don’t breach the financial rules.
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