(Credit: Imago/Manh Tung - Breaking Media)

James Murray

Tue 19 May 2026 8:00, UK

Follow us on Google Discover

Aston Villa have outperformed their financial expectations for the season after securing Champions League qualification. 

That is according to former Manchester City financial adviser Stefan Borson, who exclusively told Football Insider Unai Emery’s side may have assumed they would finish in the Europa League places. 

Villa sealed their qualification for next season’s Champions League with a 4-2 victory over Liverpool on Friday (15 May). 

The West Midlands giants will guarantee a fourth-place finish in the Premier League table if they pick up a point on the final day against Man City.

However, Villa are set to take on Freiburg in the Europa League final on Wednesday (20 May) before heading to the Etihad Stadium at the weekend. 

How Aston Villa’s settlement agreement will impact their budget

Villa have faced financial uncertainty over the past couple of years after being restricted by the spending rules. 

Emery’s side entered a settlement agreement with Uefa last summer after breaching the governing body’s financial regulations. 

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Borson discussed how the settlement agreement will impact Villa’s spending plans this summer.

“They’ve got a very chunky amount of money coming through the door next season, offset slightly by the closure of one stand,” said Borson.

“That’s going to cost them probably £10million minimum to offset it. They’re also going to have increased wages. 

“You would think that the model that they agreed with Uefa did not have as an assumption of Champions League. It probably had Europa League as being the base assumption within that settlement agreement, so they’re probably going to outperform financially versus what they expected to for next season.

“Therefore, they should be fine under the settlement, you would think. Whether they have got to sell a player as well, that’s a different question. It’s hard to know.” 

How much Aston Villa have earned from Europa League

Villa finished sixth in the Premier League last season, ensuring they narrowly missed out on a Champions League place.

However, they have performed expertly in the Europa League over the past few months, with a 4-1 victory on aggregate over Nottingham Forest booking their place in the final. 

Villa have landed more than £30m in prize money from the second-tier competition this season.

If they can overcome Freiburg in Istanbul, the Villans will earn a further £5.2m for winning the Europa League, while they will bank £3.5m for participating in the Super Cup.