5 months ago
39 In a significant development at the Premier League Annual General Meeting (AGM), Aston Villa’s proposal to increase the allowed Profitability and Sustainability Regulations (PSR) losses from £105 million to £135 million over a three-year period has been rejected.
The proposal, backed by Aston Villa owners Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens (NSWE), found little support among the league’s clubs, with only two votes in favour, 15 against, and three refusing to vote.
Aston Villa’s request aimed to provide more financial flexibility by allowing greater losses over the specified period. This change would have helped clubs better navigate financial challenges and invest more in their squads without breaching PSR limits. However, the majority of Premier League clubs did not share this vision, resulting in the proposal’s dismissal.
The voting outcome highlights the conservative financial stance held by most Premier League clubs, prioritising stringent financial controls and sustainability.
The rejection of the proposal places Aston Villa in a challenging position. Renowned journalist from Sky Sports and talkSPORT, Dan Bardell, has suggested that the club may now be compelled to sell one of their star players by the end of June to comply with the existing PSR rules.
Speaking exclusively to Villa News, Bardell emphasised the gravity of the situation: “I think it’s a blow. Obviously, the club are trying to push that through and you’d imagine that the difference in the two sums would alleviate Villa’s PSR problems. They’re now potentially going to have to sell someone by 30 June and from what I’m hearing they’re looking to shift someone to comply. It’s a difficult situation for Villa from everything that I’m hearing about it.”
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 24: Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa celebrates scoring his team’s first goal with teammates Leon Bailey and Douglas Luiz during the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest at Villa Park on February 24, 2024 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)Aston Villa may be forced into selling Douglas Luiz this summer
With the need to balance their books, Aston Villa might have to part ways with key players. One such player is Douglas Luiz, who has been heavily linked with a move away from Villa Par, per Sky Sports.
Losing a player of Luiz’s caliber would be a significant setback for manager Unai Emery, who has been working to build a competitive squad capable of challenging for the European spots.
Luiz, contracted with Villa until June 2026, holds a significant market value estimated at £51.1 million. And reputable reports, including insights from the renowned Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio, indicate that negotiations between Aston Villa and Juventus are underway for a sensational midfield swap which will include Weston McKennie replacing the Brazilian at Villa Park.
