Disgraceful – Aston Villa slammed by ex-boss for controversial move
Aston Villa have been criticised by their former CEO after announcing an increase in ticket prices.
Last month, Villa barely managed to avoid punishment, skirting around the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR).
The Midlands giants sold their women’s side to themselves just before the accounting deadline, in order to remain within the financial regulations.
However, the club have now announced that matchday ticket prices are rising ahead of next season, with the most expensive ticket now costing £82.
Aston Villa’s former chief Keith Wyness– who served as CEO at Villa Park between 2016 and 2018 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – believes that these prices are incredibly high for the everyday matchgoing supporter.
‘Premier League ticket prices will continue to rise’
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Wyness insisted that the increase in ticket prices at Villa Park doesn’t sit right with him.
At the end of last season, Villa announced that ticket prices would be increasing by 5%, resulting in the highs of £82 we are seeing now.
Wyness added that it won’t be long until we see £100 matchday ticket prices.
He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “When I looked at that, £77 is the top level for a seat at the Holte End. Now that’s one of the old traditional places in football, the Holte End. It’s a great, great stand and it’s a great place to watch your football.
“£77 seems a lot to me, and I think it goes up to £82 in other parts of the ground. Then again, when I looked at season tickets as well, Villa are only about 10th in terms of the price of their most expensive season ticket.
“Fulham lead the pack by a long, long way, but in terms of season ticket prices, that’s where Villa are. So they’re probably about where they should be, mid-level. The match day price is very high, though, but this is where clubs are trying to not only increase the season ticket price, but then also get as many tickets sold at higher levels on match day as well.
“£82 does seem a lot to me. It won’t be long before we see the £100 matchday tickets and I don’t see wages going up that sort of level. It’s just not something that sits right with me just now, but nevertheless the clubs keep on filling those grounds.
“While demand is still there, I’m afraid it’s very hard to see clubs dropping that valuation.”
Villa smash record revenue
Meanwhile, Aston Villa’s overall revenue is expected to have surpassed £350million for the first time last season, sources have told Football Insider.
The West Midlands giants have faced PSR issues over the past couple of years after spending close to the allowable losses limit, with top-flight sides only permitted to lose £105million over a rolling three-year period.
However, the club’s revenue has continued to improve following their upturn in form since Unai Emery took over at Villa Park in October 2022.
Villa posted a club-record revenue in 2023-24 after their turnover increased from £217.7million in 2022-23 to £275.7million, while their losses fell from £119.6million to £85.4million.
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