Keith Wyness drops Aston Villa bombshell – ‘They’re on a financial knife edge’
Aston Villa need Champions League revenue next season in order to improve their PSR position.
That is according to ex-Aston Villa, Everton, and Aberdeen chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, who states that the club are on a “knife edge” financially.
Aston Villa are facing a fine from UEFA over breaching the Europa League’s squad cost rule, and it is not the first time they have faced a financial penalty from the governing body.
Unai Emery’s side are in a strong position to qualify for the Champions League next season, with the Villains currently third in the Premier League table.
Champions League ‘crucial’ for Aston Villa
Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – states that Aston Villa are facing lots of competition for a Champions League place.
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast, Wyness believes the club cannot afford to not have Champions League football next season.
He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “Well, it’s again crucial for Villa. They’re on a knife edge still with the PSR and the financial situation. We know that every pound should be a prisoner at Aston Villa right now, and they’ve had to sell some players they didn’t want to.
“And it is going to be important for them to be in that top five. Now, how many times have we said today that it’s important for a club to be in the top five? There’s a lot of competition there. There’s probably 10 clubs that need to be in that top five. And of course, it isn’t going to happen.
“So for Villa, the imperative is definitely there to get back into that Champions League, the revenue side, and to get into the Champions League. They had almost great success when they were in it before, and they’ve got to do it.
“But certainly from the revenue point of view and from the UEFA settlement point of view, they’re going to have to try and make that top five. Definitely it means a lot to Villa to do that.”
- Read More: Aston Villa plan to accept Lucas Digne offer.
Aston Villa may have to accept Morgan Rogers sale
Aston Villa could generate money from player sales in the next summer transfer window, and Morgan Rogers is one of the club’s biggest assets.
The 23-year-old has eight goals and five assists in the Premier League this season, and is set to be part of Thomas Tuchel’s England squad at this summer’s World Cup.
A successful tournament for Rogers could increase his transfer fee further, although Aston Villa would still be reluctant to let one of their best players leave.