Well I thought this forum was due a write up, so a sum up of the seemingly dismal few weeks at this football club feels appropriate. Whilst I don’t believe we have entered a full-blown crisis, I can see exactly where the frustration of fans has come from, and I have definitely gathered that different people are looking at this from various different angles, depending on their status.
In terms of this site, I think the main frustration comes from the PSR regulations and our injury crisis. Mix them both together, watch clubs like Man City purchase Guehi in January, as well as Semenyo, and both look brilliant, whilst we sold Grealish, Diaby and Ramsey for a combined £200m, it just doesn’t seem to make sense. Whilst I do not have an answer as to why exactly this is, I can definitely gather that this is where fan frustration is rooted. There is that, and there is also performances on the pitch – Wolves, Chelsea… just completely spineless, and what kind of a Top 4 team are we if we’re just going to capitulate as soon as we accumulate a few injuries… we mocked Spurs for this, huh? There have just been limited positives since our midfield was taken out, and I believe Newcastle had it out for us so selfishly tried to injure our players at St. James Park whilst our fan base watched from above with the Gods – oh well, let them rot in 14th and get knocked out to Barca despite having £250bn owners.
There have also been other things pointed out by more match-going fans. On Twitter / X, whatever Elon calls it these days, there has been voiced frustration about the lack of care there is towards the fan base, and this is definitely going to rub off on that away end at Old Trafford next Sunday – a particular incident is a fan who’s had his Lille ticket stripped off of him and his entire European booking history lost because he advertised his friend’s ticket despite having booked his flights and accomodation, and sent it to Villa for proof.
My view? It quite clearly states in the rules that you are not to advertise away tickets for sale online or else they were show zero mercy towards you, but I suppose the club could’ve been a little human about that particular issue. It’s just not worth it at all whatsoever, and why I try to avoid discussing tickets on social media. But yeah, things like that just sum up the frustration at the club in terms of liasing with the fanbase recently.
Old Trafford on Sunday, heh! Arguably the worst possible fixture to come up in this bad run, considering the average Villa fan’s view on Manchester United Football Club – I know a few who are refusing to watch because they don’t see the point. If we can run away with a point I would be astonished. In terms of injuries, we could see McGinn and Tielemans back sooner rather than later. Kamara, I just can’t see him playing much for us again, I think he will move on, to be honest.
Anyway, apologies for the negative article, I just wanted to get some fresh writing up considering it has been a while, and it seems a lot of other writers are not feeling up to it due to their frustration at the moment. Open to criticism if I have been too negative.
UTV.
Financial business in football goes over my head, to be honest. Anyway, I’ll write up again soon as I think Badger wants a break from it for a bit.
The Chelsea outcome is nothing short of the PL waving two fingers at the clubs who got points deductions for much less serious crimes but unsurprising given the PL don’t know their arse from their elbow!
Holte re: UEFA – if you’re right then it’s a similar situation to Juventus the year we (and they) were in the Conference League.
They were facing a ban in the following season, instead they elected not to participate in the Conference which then allowed them to play in Europe the following season where they qualified for the CL – even with a fine as well a better outcome for the club,
If we find ourselves in a similar situation we should do the same and take advantage of the much milder SCR in the PL which, next season, can be extended (from the base of 85%) as high as 125% of revenue albeit with possible levies and a lower (upper threshold) in the following season.
As you say UEFA’s limit is 70% which is fine if you’re one of the richest clubs in Europe.
Correction – 115% not 125% – apologies
We are lucky that we have some very knowledgeable members that regularly explain the various financial controls that are messing with our heads. For those, like me, that need it even slower here is a link that might prove useful.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFK_Kz2zjm0
Enjoy
One final point which I think sums up the unfairness in football.
You may have forgotten that Villa had to enter into an agreement with UEFA to continue playing in European competitions. I’ve read it, it’s complicated but it imposes financial restrictions on Villa as far ahead as the 28/29 season – I kid you not!
It also requires NSWE to inject cash into the club in the form of equity if certain accounting losses are exceeded – otherwise the sword of UEFA’ Damocles will fall – these amounts are talked off in the range €60m.
And – I haven’t finished yet – a fine of up to €20m payable in different stages AND, in all respects a transfer ban in that our transfer activities have to be in positive balance unless the club makes profits.
The final ignominy and insult for NSWE is that they have to regularly prove Villa are a ‘going concern’. It just beggars belief!
Pause for breathe – compare that with the tap on the hand given to Chelsea for being lying, deceptive cheats and all because they nicely fessed up before someone actually rumbled it.
Of course UEFA will do sod all because they meet their SCR rules – no wonder!
Will the new Football Regulator take the EPL to task – like hell they will.
I wouldn’t blame NSWE and / or Emery for throwing in the towel. Football’s as bent as a nine bob note – how come only the fans can see it.
Big, massive annoyed rant over!
UTV
Any decent journalists left in the world to blow this open in simple terms for the masses to understand?
Bent. Corrupt. Joke.
Why do we bother?
Everton fans are planning a major protest at Saturday’s match against Chelsea. Their club was docked 10 points (which was reduced to six) and plunged into relegation trouble in 2024 for breaches of spending rules.
Interesting that in the Everton points deduction verdict the Premier League said “A financial penalty for a club that enjoys the support of a wealthy owner is not a sufficient penalty” and that “the requirements of deterrence, vindication of compliant clubs, and the protection of the integrity of the sport demand a sporting sanction in the form of a points deduction’.
Presumably the Chelsea fine (which ultimately is just a deduction from what billion dollar Clearlake will pay to billionaire Abramovich from the £150m held back at the deal date) is then neither punishment, a deterrent or protecting the integrity of the sport?
All the best, Everton fans. I hope they cause chaos (without injuring anyone).
You’re 100% correct Holte and it’s a point made from several different sources but the EPL won’t do anything to rectify it unless forced to by some form of ‘legal’ action – is it something that could be referred to the Court of Arbitration for instance?
Well it goes to show even an old git like me cannot be fooled, seen this coming months ago and mentioned it in posts, we more than most have paid the price of what the FA have done to clubs trying to play the straight and narrow and clubs like Man City, Arsenal, Man Utd, Chelsea, all given thumbs up in games. Badger mate, I know it hurts, but you’re Villa through and through, like the rest of us. We, as Villa fans, can ride this shit; after all, Villa made the league tick from day one, and they cannot take that away from us. Keep going, where the Villa,