'They can get some decent money quickly' - Aston Villa's priority after source’s financial reveal
Aston Villa are set to prioritise their Champions League campaign over their Premier League ambitions in the coming months.
That is according to former Villa chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, who believes that the financial benefits of continental success could be huge for his former club.
This comes after former Manchester City financial advisor Stefan Borson recently told Football Insider that Villa could stand to make over £12million in prize money just from finishing in the top eight of the league phase.
Wyness believes that Unai Emery will prioritise the Champions League as a result, given the club’s continually tight SCR constraints.
His side have kick-started their season in recent weeks, and have won six of their last seven games in all competitions.
Two of those victories have come in the Champions League, with Villa currently second in the league phase table, having taken maximum points from their opening three outings.
Unai Emery searching for ‘magic formula’
Villa’s former chief Wyness – who served as CEO at Villa Park between 2016 and 2018 and now runs a consultancy business advising elite clubs – believes that Emery will be searching for the “magic formula” to balance both the domestic and European campaigns.
However, he expects that the Champions League will ultimately take precedence for the Spanish boss, given how quickly significant prize money becomes available.
Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Wyness explained how he expects Villa to handle the two competitions moving forward.
“Yes, I think he (Emery) will (prioritise the Champions League),” he said.
“He’s done a great job in Europe. He always has. Everybody knows he's a European specialist for some reason. I don't know what the magic formula is there, but he certainly knows it.
“He should be focusing on that. It means so much more for Villa, that sort of revenue coming in.
“It's important that they do focus on it and carry on the good run they're having. It means a lot in terms of their financial situation. And Europe is the place to get some decent money fairly quickly.”
Real Madrid keeping tabs on Johan Manzambi
Former Villa scout Bryan King told Football Insider earlier this week that Real Madrid and Barcelona are both keeping tabs on Villa’s attacking midfielder Johan Manzambi.
The second city outfit shelled out around £50m to sign the Switzerland international this summer after an impressive World Cup, and he has made the adaptation to the Premier League look easy.
Manzambi has only made six appearances for Villa so far this season, and already has three goals and two assists to his name.
King is adamant that the pair of Spanish giants are already keeping a close eye on Manzambi, to see how he develops in the coming years.