UEFA could stop Aston Villa going for broke in January for Premier League title – Expert
Aston Villa are heading towards a vitally important January transfer window, but they may be limited to what business they can do.
Unai Emery is expected to make some additions to his Aston Villa team this winter, to ensure his side can take this Premier League title race to the final furlong.
Villa are in the midst of a superb run of form, but questions over Emery’s squad depth and whether it can sustain them in the hunt for the title are being asked.
However, Aston Villa have had problems with PSR in recent times, as they attempt to find the right balance between remaining competitive towards the top of English football and being careful with how they spend their money.
Aston Villa told why they might have to rein in January spending
Naturally, Aston Villa fans will want to see their club really push the boat out this winter, as they may not have a better chance of winning the Premier League than this season, sitting three points behind Arsenal.
However, staying in the Premier League’s good books from a financial perspective may not be their biggest concern in January, as finance expert Dan Plumley has revealed that UEFA are watching closely.
Speaking exclusively to Villa News when asked if they could go for broke with the title in mind, Plumley said: “Well, look, there’s always a possibility that a club looks to do that if they think they’re really in that race.
“I think the problem for Villa is, I’ve said this before, more with UEFA than PSR in the Premier League as an example, because we know they’ve not been punished under those regulations, and we know the Premier League is now going to shift to squad costs.
“But, we know Villa have got problems with UEFA. They’ve been fined, they’ve been under a business plan, they’ve had to get a net transfer surplus in the summer, they’re still on UEFA’s watchlist, they’ve still got to work closely with them, they’re still in their competitions, and they’re trying to get back into the Champions League.
“So, I think when you consider that, I think that’s the unlikely side of it, where they do kind of go for broke to try and win a title, as fantastic as that would be for the club.
“I think for them, if they could finish in the top four, get back into the Champions League, get access to that money, and that helps them with UEFA squad costs, then that would be more of a kind of realistic ambition, I think for the club. That’s the way I would look at that.”
Aston Villa must spend with their heads this winter
Becoming a selling club isn’t really a viable option for teams looking for perennial Premier League title success, but for one month only, that could be a wise move for Aston Villa in the long term.
Emi Martinez, Pau Torres and Morgan Rogers have all been touted with potential moves away from Villa Park in January, but it has been several years of being forced to sell now.
- Aston Villa signed six players in the summer, including Modou Keba Cisse, who joins next summer
- Villa have won seven English first division titles, but never since it became the Premier League
- Aston Villa’s last English title win came in the 1980-81 season
Villa balanced their incomings and outgoings well in the summer, and although it left many fans disappointed with the lack of arrivals, it showed a pragmatism from those at boardroom level.
They must ensure they keep displaying this sensibility, as ultimately, safeguarding the financial future of Aston Villa to give themselves the best chance of long-term success is the most important thing.
That’s not to say they can’t or shouldn’t splash the cash on one or two players this winter, but it must be met with funds coming back into the club through some sales too.
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