Keith Wyness slaughters Aston Villa for horrific behind-the-scenes move
Aston Villa’s former chief Keith Wyness has claimed the Midlands giants have opened themselves up to scrutiny from fans and local media after jacking up ticket prices.
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, the 66-year-old – who served as CEO at Villa Park between 2016 and 2018 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs –suggested Villa may find some fans have turned their back on the club after the “egregious” price rises.
Villa are controversially charging up to £97 a ticket for home Champions League matches this season having already hiked season ticket prices, and also attempted to double disabled parking rates before backtracking.
Business president Chris Heck has attributed the rising costs to financial rules after Unai Emery’s side had a close brush with a potential breach in the 2023-24 campaign.
He claimed that “achieving our sporting ambitions while complying with financial stability regulations requires difficult decisions”.
Aston Villa exposed to fan wrath after price hikes, says Wyness
However, Wyness claimed fans “don’t like being taken advantage of”.
He told Football Insider‘s Insider Track podcast: “When I was looking at these concerns with big games coming up, you have to think about the average Villa fan – they’re already contributing a lot of their income.
“I would think that the bigger Champions League games are almost a reward.
“Most normal fans would accept a £25 premium on a ticket, but it’s starting to become more than that.
“That’s when it gets ridiculous.
“Fans will accept a small or reasonable increase on their tickets for big games, they know it’s a game of money.
“But they don’t like being taken advantage of when it becomes egregious.
“Is making an extra million in revenue worth losing the fanbase for?
“I know there has been a lot of disquiet. When you go and do another initiative next time, you may not find your fanbase is fully behind you.
“You’re also going to be scrutinised so much more in the local media and on the fan sites.
“Heck is a targeted man right now, so he’s got to think – was it really worth it?”
In other news, Liverpool make Joe Gomez decision as Villa swoop.
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