Credit: Imago

Evan Lloyd

Thu 16 October 2025 19:00, UK

Aston Villa’s struggles against Profit and Sustainability Rules are well known and widely reported.

Jacob Ramsey was sold to Newcastle United in the summer to appease UEFA’s PSR rules, with the Magpies agreeing a deal worth around £40million.

Unai Emery would have preferred to keep hold of the young midfielder, but his sale represented pure profit, and he has played just twice for Eddie Howe’s side since making the move.

Villa eventually signed Evann Guessand from OGC Nice for around £30m, and moves for Harvey Elliott and Jadon Sancho followed, although both deals include initial loans.

John McGinn spoke out to brand the PSR rules as “unfair” in the summer, but the Villans have been forced to abide, or risk financial penalties or point deductions.

Likely next Aston Villa victims of PSR already lined up

It has been suggested that Villa are hard done by with PSR, with the rules in place often serving to benefit the already-established clubs.

The traditional ‘big six’ appear able to spend at will, especially in the case of Manchester United, who, despite finishing 15th in the Premier League last season and failing to qualify for European competition, spent well over £200m.

Unfortunately, the Red Devils can do so because of the huge amount of money they still manage to generate on a commercial level.

But for the likes of Villa and Newcastle, who do not share the same level of commercial weight, it can feel difficult to gain the chance to strive towards the top in the first place, when restricted by the rules.

The Villans may face a similar situation next summer should they not qualify for the Champions League, and the Daily Mail reported on Wednesday that one of three players could be sacrificed.

Journalist Tom Collomosse wrote: “Of the current squad, Morgan Rogers and Boubacar Kamara have the ability to generate significant profit, although keep an eye on Lamare Bogarde.

“I’m not suggesting the young Dutchman will be sold this summer but he is making rapid strides and like every club, Villa have to look at the bottom line, and Bogarde will deliver pure profit whenever he is sold.“

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What has Unai Emery said about Lamare Bogarde?

Bogarde has been in terrific form this season. Against Burnley before the break, the 21-year-old was superb, completing 97 per cent of his passes and providing a solid partner for Kamara.

After the match, Emery told the media: “The development is clear. He’s been fantastic.“

Bogarde joined Villa in 2021, joining as a teenager from Dutch club Feyenoord to link up with the academy.

He would make his breakthrough for Emery’s side as a right-back in the 2024-25 season, but his progression since has seen him become key in the centre of defence and in midfield.

His sale would represent a massive success for the youth scouts, but it would come at a significant cost for a Villa team hoping to keep their talents, not sell them.

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