Aston Villa have ‘big issue’ – Keith Wyness shares ‘new stadium’ verdict
Aston Villa have enjoyed success in the Champions League this term and look set to smash revenue records when the 2024-25 accounts are released.
Speaking to Sportico on 4 March, Villa’s president of business operations Chris Heck said he expects the club’s revenue to reach between £360-370million for this season.
But Unai Emery’s side are in a close-run fight to re-qualify for the Champions League through the Premier League – and could take a financial hit if they are unsuccessful.
Aston Villa’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Villa Park between 2016 and 2018 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – has had his say on a “big issue” for his old side.
Aston Villa have ‘big issue’ as rivals build new stadiums
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Wyness has insisted Villa will not take the “obvious solution” and build a new stadium to boost revenue and ensure they can remain competitive in the transfer market.
Tottenham, Everton – and now Man United and Newcastle – have recently built or announced plans for new stadium projects in a bid to increase revenues.
| 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 |
Wyness insisted Villa will have to be “very clever” with global sponsorships if they are to keep pace with their rivals.
He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “Three seasons ago we were talking about revenue of £180million.
“A lot of this increase is Champions League money, but it’s healthy.
“This is almost the same situation as Newcastle, but it’s harder with Villa because there isn’t going to be a new stadium.
“I know they’re working very hard on the facilities around the stadium and other revenue sources.
“They want to reconfigure Villa Park as best they can, but they don’t have the obvious solution in terms of doubling attendance at the stadium.
“That’s going to be a big issue, and there are transport issues with the stadium as it stands.
“They’re going to have to be very clever with the global sponsorships and the way they bring in the international market.”
Asensio will become first Aston Villa signing this summer
Wyness previously told Football Insider (8 March) that he expects on-loan star Marco Asensio to become Aston Villa’s first summer signing.
Villa do not have an option to buy Asensio, who won three Champions League trophies with Real Madrid, at the end of his loan spell in June.
But Wyness expects Emery and Monchi to push ahead with a permanent deal for the Spain international.
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