Stefan Borson: Aston Villa at risk of being 'barred from Europe' as 'big issues' emerge
Aston Villa are at serious risk of further punishment if their financial woes worsen during the 2026-27 campaign.
That is according to former Manchester City financial adviser Stefan Borson, who exclusively told Football Insider that a breach of £20million in Squad Cost Ratio (SCR) would see a European ban come into place.
Newcastle United have also been threatened with the same outcome, but after Marseille were left off the hook in their settlement agreement, very few are actually worried.
The Villans total fine from UEFA in 2025 was €22.5m (£19.4m), with €15m (£12.8m) of it suspended pending the club's continued compliance over a three-year period.
It would appear that plans are being put in place to combat these problems, with Ollie Watkins, Youri Tielemans and Morgan Rogers all potentially leaving.
However, these exits would leave Unai Emery with some huge gaps in his squad, and supporters will wonder exactly who SCR is helping right now.
Aston Villa warned - 'You get barred from Europe'
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Borson has warned the Villans about a potential ban from Europe, which would be another eye-watering blow to the club's finances.
"They've got €15m (£12.8m) of suspended penalty on the SCR. That's a problem. They've got more suspended, I think it's €5m (£4.3) suspended on football earnings," he said.
"They've got the issue about football earnings that, ultimately, if you breach it by more than £20m, or at the end of the settlement agreement, you get barred from Europe.
"We know that could be worth a huge amount of money if we're talking about the Champions League. So there's just a collection of big issues building up.
"It's very hard to see what the options are, and that's why I think [Morgan] Rogers looks like the ripcord that they may end up pulling because it's just such a big number that they can bring in for him."
Aston Villa's SCR figure could be about to drop significantly
Understandably, these are worrying times at Villa Park, and some supporters have even begun to question the hierarchy despite recent success.
With many weeks remaining of the summer transfer window, there is plenty of time for deals to be struck, incomings and outgoings.
The signing of Johan Manzambi is unlikely to help Villa's cause finance-wise, but any major sales would instantly aid in balancing the books this summer.
Tielemans appears set to join Manchester United for £35m, and with Watkins rumoured to have agreed a deal with Fenerbahce, selling Rogers might not be essential.