Aston Villa news: O’Rourke fears points deduction despite ‘huge’ development
Champions League qualification will do little to prevent a potential PSR breach or points deduction for Aston Villa.
Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, senior correspondent Pete O’Rourke admitted that the £40million boost for reaching the group stages would be “huge” for Villa’s finances, but subsequent costs will limit its impact.
Unai Emery’s side, who sit fourth in the table and look well-placed to reach the Champions League, are on the fringes of their profit and sustainability limits after they announced a £119.6milion loss in their end-of-year accounts this month.
They could also be forced to sell players this summer to help balance the books and avoid a points deduction, with Football Insider revealing (22 March) that Jacob Ramsey could be sold amid fears of a PSR breach.
Aston Villa face financial struggles despite “huge” £40m boost
O’Rourke claimed that Champions League qualification could see key stars’ wages increase and cause clubs to boost price tags for the Villans’ summer transfer targets.
“They will have to balance the books [regardless of Champions League qualification],” he told the Inside Track podcast.
“Obviously, £40million for getting into the Champions League would be huge for Villa.
“On the flip side, once you’re in the Champions League, players’ wages go up.
“Players who you want to sign – their price tags go up too because clubs know you’re in the Champions League.
“It’s a difficult balance to get that right and that’s what Villa need to do right now.
“Recording losses of just under £120million in a year is not sustainable, as much as the owners are very wealthy and ambitious.
“Villa are in trouble…they’ll find themselves facing a PSR breach if they continue to have financial results like that.”
In other news, Aston Villa FFP: Keith Wyness issues verdict on club breaching financial rules after new twist.
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