Exclusive: Amadou Onana injury could provide surprise financial benefit for Aston Villa

Aston Villa could receive a PSR boost after Amadou Onana's injury blow, football finance expert Kieran Maguire has told Villa News.

The 24-year-old was forced off after 21 minutes this week as Belgium faced the USA in the World Cup last-16 clash.

After being left grounded, he held his knee and the immediate reaction was that he had suffered a major problem.

That is exactly how it turned out as the midfielder ultimately tore his anterior cruciate ligament in Seattle.

He could could now be set for months on the sidelines, leaving the Villans with a massive hole to plug.

As frustrating as that may be, Maguire has suggested that Onana's absence could actually hand Villa some financial reprieve.

How Aston Villa's PSR will benefit from Amadou Onana injury

There was no shortage of frustration and disappointment from B6 as the midfielder was forced off for his nation.

Considering the claret and blue outfit went without Boubacar Kamara for most of the season, it is a blow to lose another star for such a extended period.

The only silver lining comes as Villa can claim money from FIFA to cover Onana's wages as he was injured at their tournament.

There have been questions over whether those funds will be recognised by the Premier League or UEFA for financial purposes.

Financial expert Maguire believes the Villa Park outfit can justify why these funds should count towards PSR.

Speaking exclusively to Villa News, he said: "It should be netted off against the wage bill so would assist PSR.

"The club can legitimately claim that they have had to recruit a replacement for the time lost for Onana and therefore that should be offset against wages."

Maguire did caveat this by suggesting that it could still go the other way, but his opinion is that Villa should benefit financially from Onana's injury.

How much will FIFA pay to cover Onana's wage?

There is already monetary frustration swirling around Villa Park, as has been the case for many years.

That did look set to be worsened as the need to replace Onana became apparent after his injury.

The benefit is that FIFA will cover his wages, which could give Villa a clean slate, in a way, to bring in another midfielder.

That comes as the World Cup organisers will provide £6.6million to cover the Belgian's wage as part of their Club Protection Programme.

He is is reportedly paid £140,000-per-week in B6, so that figure from FIFA could cover Onana for over 11 months.

That would allow the midfielder to make a recovery, while Villa would be financially free from his sizable pay for that period.

It is a massively frustrating situation, but this provides a slight silver lining.