I don’t know about you, but I’m a bit fed up of the lack of action in the transfer window up to now and it’s all left me a bit confused. I’ve literally just read an article that suggests we need to sell half the team, including Watkins at a cut price, Martinez, Tielemens and Digne to meet our PSR requirements. Yet, I think I’m right in saying there are only three days left until the end of the year? Surely if there was that much of a problem, deals would have been done by now?
I think it’s pretty indicative of a) how the media talk balls and b) we probably don’t have a PSR issue at all, as some have suggested. Of course, the Uefa rules, where it’s about wages compared to revenue is a different subject and I’m not talking about that, as much as it will be an issue.
Or could it be that we’re about to sell the ladies setup to ourselves for a stupidly over-valued cost, like Chelsea did? They disgusted pretty much everybody in the game by doing the deal for £198 million. They might as well just done the deal for a nice round £200 million or did they think that might seem like they were taking the proverbial? You have to laugh.
But seriously, if they don’t get sanctioned, Villa might as well do it too, as the precedent will have been set. It reminds me of Harold Macmillan talking about Thatcher selling off the family silver and as much as I have absolutely no interest in women’s football, I’m not sure it’s something I want to see happening. Still, if needs must I’m certainly not going to complain about it and it would keep the wolf from the door. For a while, anyway.
And then a question that’s playing on my mind. Should I book to go and see our friendly against Villareal? After my exploits in the middle of winter at Anfield, where I left well before the end because I was so cold, I’ve realised I’m now very much a warm weather live football watcher and Spain absolutely suits the bill for that. I’m not going to suddenly become a Villareal supporter, but the name is dangerously close, isn’t it? At the minute it just makes sense, as it’s any excuse for me to get over to our place and a game in Spain, with watching the Villa thrown in as a bonus, would just be a good experience.
I can get a return flight for 8 days, I think it is, for just over 100 euros with car hire and a ticket easily done for another 100. That’s a steal when I think about it. And it’s only the fact that I’m currently out of work that’s putting me off. That probably sounds a bit odd, but you can guarantee if I do arrange the trip, I’ll get a job offer and have to forego the trip. Hmm.
I might just do it anyway and if I can’t go, oh well, at least I’ll be back in work.
I know, it’s a load of waffle.
But I haven’t written anything for a month.
I could post the same sort of tripe that the usuals pump out, but it really wouldn’t do anything for me.
What do you reckon anyway?
Should I book to go or not?
Get yourself over, Badger. These moments are few and far between and the memories would live far longer than a day at work. I’d do anything to casually turn up to a Villa game like I used to. A little Atlantic ocean between us makes it a bit more of a time commitment these days!
I reckon it’s an easy decision – just go and sot out work afterwards. You only have one life and if it’s not a major problem (dosh wise) then there’s still plenty of time left to work.
I used to work in Madrid and went to see both Athletico and Real – strangely both against Valencia and both ending in 1-1 draws! This was in the days of the Galacticos – seats in the back row at the Bernabeu and in the winter but at least they had overhead heaters – yes really!
Ah those were the days – even the wife joined me!
Lol!!!! Very funny Texas!!!! Badger’s getting old and curmudgeonly like the rest of us…in our 50s!!!!
Go badger and have a great time especially if you already have a place in Spain.
Match won’t probably be very competitive but hey you can then write about what you think of our chances for new season and any new players we might have signed by then.
Especially as you might be only one to see villa that close to season start.
By then we should be close to what the team will look like for the season
So yes off you go and no regret you can get job after.
Will labour’s benefit cuts have an impact on you mate?
Maybe you try your hand as a Lucky, lucky man?
As for the match, go for it mate, hardly going to be the same as a freezing winters evening in old Blighty.
At the risk of sounding like a broken record I’ve been banging on about us having no PSR issues for ages – we’d have been selling players by now if we did with our year end on Monday.
As we are OK for PSR then it makes no sense to do any deals in this financial year – whether sales of players or assets – bung all the income into next year. And I don’t believe for a minute we’ll sell any of our major players unless we believe we can get an upgrade in.
You’re right though Badger – the bigger challenge is the SRC in Europe where our (footballing) wage bill cannot exceed 70% of revenue. This last season the limit was 80% and we were at somewhere in the region of 85 – 90%. We’re going to get a (small) fine which (apparently) the owners are OK with but breach again this coming season and it’s more serious.
Football is as much about financial strategy as it is about – well football 🙂
Spot on Hitch
Canadian Pete stated a couple of weeks ago he was informed that there was no PSR issue. I just don’t think he would risk his reputation if it were a lie. Further, Sky have now reported Villa have no PSR issue. Bottom line it just shows how much all these so called experts do not know.
I guess an issue is whether or not to sell the women’s team. Premier allow it to counteract PSR, whereas UEFA do not allow it to count. As the Premier is converging towards the 70% income to expenditure, will it become redundant selling the women’s team to ourselves? As UEFA just won’t accept it.
I am hoping Villa can announce as of July 1st, a number of sponsorship deals that fall into the new financial year, helping us increase revenue to off set non Champions League income. Maybe ground naming rights?
Can’t wait for the ‘My Old Man’ podcast about Chris Heck. They have already alluded to that he was given a two year contract and that the Villa owners did not offer an extension. Does this mean all was not rosey?
In the meantime, next week, I expect transfer movement to start. I haven’t a clue who’s coming in, I just trust the magnificent 3 to make excellent purchases. If we can shift all players bought under that scouse git’s reign, then we go a long way towards the 70% target.
Yes. Go Badger. I would love to be able to fly, but for medical reasons I can’t.
Hitchens has to be right, we don’t need to sell and certainly not a star player unless we have a replacement lined up.
I loved the sight of Garnacho holding up a Villa shirt. But on his money he could have bought one and had Garnacho on the back instead of buying a knockdown Rashford example. Not sure Villa would buy him but if he is a Garbo [I want to be a loan] we could fit him in.
Love the Garbo play on words OLL
Garnacho would be another Curcic/Duran. Plenty of talent. But a loose cannon, immature, and selfish. No, thank you. His behaviour and the press he’s getting means any serious club should steer well clear.
Well done England U21’s, brilliant watch 🏆😁👍
And turning over the German’s too, oh happy days.
And on top dollar and done nothing.
No thanks.
I’m getting really pi**ed off with all the negative rumours around Villa. They may all be complete trash but they start to drag one down.
I’m beginning to hate this transfer window,
I don’t read that rubbish, Hitch. It’s as I said. You can’t believe a word of it.
RSS, I haven’t been near a benefit in 40 years+, fortunately. But I’m still firmly in favour of them, fwiw.
Anyway, I’ve booked a 10 day trip and the car hire, which I can cancel, if needed.
If anyone fancies going to the game, let me know. I can accomodate for nothing and do a deal for transfers from the airport and to the match.
It would be cheap and I’m not out to make any money.
I know mate, was pulling your leg Badger. 😁
To build on Hitch’s great article. In essence Villa just can’t afford to carry dead weight players.
For example, Couthino, Digne Olsen, Hause , Martinez (only player I’d keep) , Dendoncker Buendia & Bailey cost Villa approximately £750k per week and £39m per year. This equates to approximately 14% on last years accounts of wages and salaries against turnover.
Previously we over paid for average players to come to Villa. With Emery, does this mean that players know they will be in Europe, so salaries have more of a performance related pay, which players expect to achieve. Thus, we don’t need to overpay. It is taken that Villa sell older higher paid players and replace with younger with great promise, but critically lower initial wages. More of the Rogers and less of the Coutinho purchases.
Any rate, tomorrow is the deadline day for the media who want our so called carcass picked clean. Looking forward to us shoving it up their sun don’t shine place!
How the hell can you oput Digne in that list!!!??? He’s been outstanding these past couple of seasons…
Agreed Bum Bum but football is more about finance than players performances.
For that you have to blame bodies like the EPL (although it’s the clubs themselves that perpetuate the idiocy of the financial regulations) and EUFA.
Digne is 32 (I think), one of our higher earners with 12 months left on his contract. Option 1 sell for £8 – £10m and get his wages off the books; Option 2 (like Mings) offer a 12 month extension on the basis that he takes lower wages or Option 3 do nothing, carry the wages and watch him walk for free!
It has to be either Option 1 or 2 because of the SRC regs in Europe -= if he’s prepared to take a wage cut I’d extend his contract for a year otherwise take the cash and move on.
Meanwhile the favoured clubs just continue to get richer and can do what they like!
Seems pretty solid, this one;
John Percy is reporting that Kaine Kesler-Hayden is set to sign for Coventry City for a fee of around £3.5m. Medical due today.
Shame, but the money’s nice, I suppose.
Oh they don’t like it when Villa exploit the loopholes!!
Alls well that ends well!
Villa to sell women’s team for £55m. That will resolve any PSR concerns. Further, it should give a degree of flexibility in 3 year PSR model, especially with no Champions League cash this season coming.
I have also read that Villa have agreed with EUFA to reduced salaries / income over next 2 years to an acceptable level.
Villa OS
As well as our loan players as they return to their respective parent clubs.
Marco Asensio, Marcus Rashford and Axel Disasi each joined Villa in February on loan deals until the end of the 2024/25 season.
Everyone at Aston Villa would like to thank each of the players for their efforts and amazing commitment to the club and wish them all the very best for the future.
Can’t say I’m particularly upset by that news.
Sid, where did you read about the sale of the women’s team and the ‘deal’ with EUFA?
The latter sounds plausible as EUFA have a significantly more practical approach to its financial regulations. I assume there’s a fine attached to the agreement and a ban from European competition if they fail to comply?
The downside is further challenges to Villa trying to break the ‘glass ceiling’ so literally no chance of signing any one of the three loanees.
I LOVE the way we’re selling our assests to ourself!!!!
Indeed, but it’s all a joke, Bum bum.
Consider we don’t owe a penny to anybody, yet Man U owe nearly a billion.
An utter joke.
And they’ll get a free circus tent – sorry, stadium, on the taxpayer.
P. T. Barnum Stadium.
Has a nice ring to it don’t you think?
😂
I agree how are man u and Chelsea able to keep buying players especially Chelsea how many players do they have on books now.
There should be a rule you’re allowed 25 -28 players max inc academy players over 18.
This every day that villa are in terrible financial trouble is doing my head in
At least Surrey cricket club are doing well just broke their scoring record i support them by the way
The real irony (this is my other broken record) is that PSR was predicated on the
Portsmouth disaster of excess debt that the owner left the club with.
Now debt isn’t even a factor and, if I understand it correctly, interest on debt is excluded for PSR purposes, Hence NSWE have now taken some debt as their investment by acquiring shares (shareholder funds) doesn’t appear to carry any weight.
What you’re left with is a system that just perpetuates the position of the ‘wealthy’ clubs irrespective of the debt mountain they have acquired!
Now, I get the argument about affordable debt but clubs like Villa whose owners have invested heavily by acquiring shares should be seeing some form of adjustment in the PSR calculations to recognise the fact that they are keeping the club debt free.
Just off to bang my head against another brick wall
Hitch, it sounds like you expect the powers that be to apply some sort of logic to this situation.
Don’t hold your breath, dude!!!
Not really Bum Bum – the whole structure of the EPL is illogical imho.
Redmond officially announced. 19 years of age. If he has even half the impact of Duran…
I know he’s on a free but 4 appearances for Feyenoord – goals 0?
Can’t say I really get it other than to turn a profit.
It’s the new way.
Get them in for pennies, don’t play them and sell them for a fortune.
Typical example, that lad Omari Kellyman we sold to Chelsea for £19 million last year.
It makes a mockery of the whole thing.
A bit of good news. Villa have a sponsor for their USA pre season tour – Xapo Bank – a crypto bank. They will also have their brand logo on the dugout head rests.
I assume this is not a massive sponsor, but every penny counts. Moreover, this shows the clear direction of travel in trying to monetarist every inch of Villa Park.
It will also help with the coming year’s PSR and UEFA 70% rule.
https://inews.co.uk/sport/football/aston-villa-have-hammered-the-final-nail-into-psrs-coffin-3781031?ITO=newsnow
We follow Chelsea’s lead and it’s now worthy of a full page piece by Daniel Storey, Chief Football Writer in the i.
Who also now calls for an independent regulator.
Where was this vitriol when other teams employed a little creative accounting?
It’s an interesting piece but it’s, like all journalist pieces it misses the fundamental point.
PSR is not fit for purpose because it ignores debt and fails to acknowledge owners like NSWE that have pumped £’millions of their own money into the club and, in so doing, have removed its debt or any risk to the club should they decide (or be forced) to sell.
The clubs have the power to change PSR including, for instance, increasing the level of losses to reflect inflation since the £105m limit was introduced when PSR was first put in place. They voted against it because there are a sufficient number of clubs who are merely happy to exist in the EPL, are content to let the wealthy clubs dominate but are determined not to allow any other club with wealthy owners to join that group.
That, in itself, imho is why the structure of the EPL is, similarly, not fit for purpose.
Al-Nassr are letting Duran go out on loan after just 6 months.
I wonder why?
Severe mental problems and issues, just like some of us thought, is my guess.
We dodged a big bullet and made a fortune out of him.
Bonus!
Who’s this dickhead Bryan King?
Everything bit of news associated with him seems to be absolute drivel and he certainly appears to have an axe to grind.
He’s a former Villa coach, who probably doesn’t know anyone at the club and is as knowledgable as me.
Total waste of space and why he gets so much print is beyond me.
They might as well speak to any Villa fan who’s guessing.
Googled him mate, played most of his career at Millwall before drifting out of football and playing for Coventry.
Worked as scout at Villa, Tottenham Hotspur and Everton.
Has his finger well and truly on the pulse living in Norway 🤦♂️
Duran to Fenerbahce on a season long loan costing around £10m in wages.
Al-Nassr must be licking their wounds, according to transfermarkt.co.uk his value is now €35m (OUCH!).
As you say Badger, a bullet well dodged.
Joao Pedro off to Chelsea. Is this a sign that Jackson is on his way out? I find it interesting and wondering if Unai wants to link up again with Jackson after their time together at Villareal.
Personally, I doubt it, 1874, much the same as I doubt anything I’ve read.
Only Monchi and Unai will know the answer to that.
Oh and Bryan King if any of that BS is to be believed.
He apparently knows everything.
Which is the worse – Bryan King or the ‘news’ outlets that keep printing his stories or maybe I should say fantasies?