Kieran Maguire: Aston Villa ‘protected’ by Whitehall news today amid ‘£13m’ reveal
Aston Villa are one of the less vulnerable clubs in the Premier League when it comes to being stripped of matchday income by the pandemic.
That is the view of finance guru Kieran Maguire, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about Villa’s financial prospects over the coming months.
The rise in Covid cases and mass cancellation of matches have led to fears of reduced capacity or behind-closed-doors games in the Premier League.
But The Times reported today (17 December) that Whitehall sources have said either solution is “not on their radar”.
Maguire argues that Villa, who earn approximately £13million per season from matchdays, would be insulated from the worst of the fallout in any case.
“Villa normally generate less than 10 per cent of their income from matchday,” he told Football Insider‘s Adam Williams.
“So they are actually more protected than many clubs, especially those with a slick hospitality product.
“Villa are more reliant on TV money, but they do still take around £12m or £13m in matchday income for the year.
“Given the choice between having and not having it, they would obviously rather have it. So there is some concern there.
“But there is also the fact that football behind closed doors is a different ball game. It’s not the game we fell in love with.
“They won’t pause the league because they are contractually obliged to carry on. They would get absolutely slaughtered by the broadcasters if they did.”
Fans are now required to present a vaccine pass or negative lateral flow test to gain access to sporting events with a 10,000-plus capacity.
Two Villa players have tested positive for the virus, as have two staff members.
In other news, injury expert reveals Marvelous Nakamba likely out for “months” as Aston Villa “talks” confirmed.