Aston Villa on track ‘to go shopping at another level’ this summer – Keith Wyness
Former Aston Villa CEO Keith Wyness believes the club will attract players on ‘another level’ this summer if they can qualify for the Europa League or Champions League.
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, the 66-year-old – who served as CEO at Villa Park between 2016 and 2018 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – suggested that European qualification is “key” to Villa avoiding financial breaches.
Villa published their 2022-23 accounts to Companies House this week revealing losses of £139million before player sales.
However, Unai Emery’s side are on track to qualify for the Champions League next season with the club currently in fourth with 11 league games remaining.
A fifth-placed finish might be enough to secure Champions League qualification for Villa if England are awarded a wildcard qualification spot under the new Swiss-style model.
Champions League will allow Aston Villa to attract mega-stars
Wyness believes Villa will have access to players on “another level” if they participate in Europe next season.
“It’s not just the Champions League, even the Europa League would be enough for them to actually avoid breaching PSR,” Wyness told Football Insider.
“I think it is key for them and it would make a big difference and allow them to go shopping at another level that they have access to right now.
“They’ve certainly done very well this season and I’m very pleased for them – they’re a great club.
“It’s a perfect club with plenty of resources from owners that have the money to support them and yet they can’t go and spend further to try and make up those positions.“
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