Dr Dan: Aston Villa have prepared ‘new budget’ after BBC update
Aston Villa would be in “damage limitation” mode if the Premier League returns to behind-closed-doors settings this season.
That is the view of finance expert Doctor Dan Plumley, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about the ongoing impact of the pandemic on Villa.
As relayed by the BBC yesterday (27 December), there will be no new restrictions in England before the new year despite soaring infection rates.
But The Telegraph reported last Wednesday (22 December) that top-flight clubs fear that fans will be shut out of stadia in the near future.
Plumley explains that Villa will be better equipped to cope with behind-closed-doors matches this time around.
“There’s a potential to eke whatever you can out of a desperate situation,” the Sheffield Hallam University expert told Football Insider‘s Adam Williams.
“Having had a season behind closed doors, they’ll know what works and what doesn’t work. They’ll also have plans in place that they can action quickly.
“You always plan a new budget for the worst-case scenario. It’s about clawing back as much lost ground as possible.
“Most clubs have planned and will be able to activate those things if this does happen. However, it is damage limitation for these clubs.
“We are seeing a big shift in digital advertising and I think that will be a big growth area for all clubs. That’s one way they can claw it back.
“They will all be trying to innovate in that space. They are concerned about losing the younger generation and this is how they plan to stop that.”
Villa were due to play Leeds United today (28 December) but that match has been postponed due to an outbreak in the West Yorkshire side’s camp.
Villa boss Steven Gerrard has also tested positive and will not be in the dugout when his side faces Brentford on 2 January.
In other news, pundit tips Aston Villa to sign “upset” Joe Gomez in loan-to-buy deal this January.