Aston Villa under 'great stress' after 'settlement agreement' - Finance Guru

Aston Villa's "stress" over finances behind the scenes could have played a huge role in deciding the club's recent ticket prices.

That is according to former Manchester City financial adviser Stefan Borson, who exclusively told Football Insider that the owners have "no choice" but to raise prices at Villa Park.

Supporters are in up arms ahead of the Villans' Champions League fixtures against Fenerbahce and Viking, with some even boycotting the home games.

Despite the difference in level of opposition, non-season-ticket holders could be out as much as £99 to go and watch Unai Emery's side in action.

Villa will be hopeful of building on last season's success of winning the Europa League, but the jump to the Champions League will be huge this term.

Emery's side are now on a three-game winning streak, including a friendly against Sevilla, and have already kicked off their European campaign with a 3-2 win over Club Brugge.

Aston Villa under 'great stress' in B6

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Borson believes that the owners in B6 have backed themselves into a corner over ticket prices.

"They're already under great stress from the various regulatory situations that they've got, the settlement agreement with UEFA in particular," he said.

"They need the revenue and they need the profit. Certainly this season might be different if they build that new stand, and it's got a lot more seats.

"But I think that it is one club where, legitimately, they can say they have no choice but to charge these prices."

Borson has already backed the owners' decision, with parts of the stadium closed for redevelopment, and it would seem that pressure from UEFA is also playing a role.

Could Unai Emery lose anyone else in January?

Even after losing Ollie Watkins, Emi Martinez, Morgan Rogers and Ezri Konsa during the summer, finances remain a big talking point at Villa Park.

Villa did finally get their own business done, signing the likes of Ibrahim Mbaye, Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Niclas Jackson, none of whom came cheap.

Once the January window comes around, fans will be hoping for further investment, but there is no guarantee that the owners give Emery what he wants.

The current squad doesn't have too many high value players, at least ones established at the club already, so more exits shouldn't be too big of a concern.