Why Aston Villa risk angering fanbase for sake of extra thousands as Porto announcement made

Aston Villa just aren't doing themselves any favours ahead of their pre-season meeting with Porto.

There have been plenty of frustrations from fans due to the prices that have been slapped in their faces.

Season ticket prices have continued to rise and leave many questioning whether they can afford to continue.

That has only been made worse by the increase in regular match prices, especially in European competition.

Chris Heck came under plenty of scrutiny before he departed, but nothing has changed since.

These problems have now been summed up as even in pre-season Villa look to exploit loyal fans.

Aston Villa surely see irony as fans charged to watch Porto from home

The Villans can ultimately set ticket prices as high as they want because they know fans will pay up.

Supporters don't want to miss out and therefore play into the B6 club's hands.

That has at least come with some small benefits for season ticket holders, with Villa TV coming as part of their packages for many years.

The ability to watch pre-season games for free has now been revoked and now they will have to pay £6.99 to watch their side play Porto.

That would be crazy on its own, but is made all the crazier knowing that match tickets are actually free at Estadio de Dragao.

Match going fans won't have to pay a penny, but those sitting at home will have to fork out for it? It all stinks.

How much will Aston Villa actually earn from Porto match passes?

Certain supporters will suggest that fans have to pay the price if they want to see Villa fighting at the top end of the table.

That is an awful opinion by the way...

But, let's say that was the case, how much will they make from charging supporters £6.99 to watch a pre-season friendly?

If the capacity of Villa Park, around 43,000, were to all buy a match pass, that would rake in narrowly above £300,000.

To put that into context, that would have paid Louie Barry's £40,000-per-week wage for less than two months.

That is how little these sorts of sums actually represent to Villa and why it makes no sense for them to try and fleece fans.

To even make £1million from this venture, just shy of 150,000 match passes would need to be sold.

That is simply never going to happen and begs the question why they keep making supporters feel like a money making exercise and second thought.