Stefan Borson: Aston Villa could escape financial breach after source’s reveal
Aston Villa may not have breached Uefa’s financial rules despite the recent media reports around the situation.
That is according to former Manchester City financial adviser Stefan Borson, who exclusively told Football Insider somebody informed him Unai Emery’s side will not breach the governing body’s squad cost ratio for 2025.
Villa were fined around £5.2m by Uefa last July, with the warning the penalty could increase if they failed to comply again within a three-year period.
The punishment related to a breach of Uefa’s squad cost ratio, where clubs in European competitions were required to keep spending on player wages and fees to 80 per cent of revenue in 2024.
However, the control ratio dropped to 70 per cent in 2025 and will remain at that level moving forward.
Deloitte’s 2026 Money League revealed the West Midlands giants’ revenue increased to £378m last season, but their £268m wage bill accounted for 71 per cent of their turnover.
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The Times reported on 13 February Villa are expected to have breached Uefa’s squad cost rules again in 2025.
Meanwhile, the European Club Finance and Investment Landscape report, which the governing body publishes annually, revealed on 26 February Emery’s side recorded a pre-tax loss of £82m last season.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Borson discussed what he’s heard about Villa’s ongoing situation with Uefa.
“I did hear last week, somebody did tell me that contrary to the press, they will not breach Uefa’s squad cost ratio for the year to December,” said Borson.
“Therefore, they won’t have that fine. But part of the £82m loss will, like Chelsea, be part of the settlement that they paid to Uefa.”
Why Champions League is ‘transformational’ for Aston Villa
Borson insisted qualifying for the Champions League would be “transformational” again for Villa this season.
“Look, it’s a very difficult situation for Villa,” said Borson.
“In some ways, it will feel unfair. I think they are doing incredibly well given their budget right now.
“They are still absolutely in the running for Champions League qualification, which is always the transformational element in a club’s P&L in their situation.”
Villa currently sit fourth in the Premier League table, while they are into the last 16 of the Europa League.
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