Aston Villa so hard-up players had to pay for their dinners

Aston Villa’s financial plight was so serious that their players had to bring in money to pay for their lunches as the club faced bankruptcy, according to a report yesterday.

With Villa facing a huge tax bill and set to enter a firesale over their players to raise funds, first-teamers were already bringing in cash to use the canteen at the Bodymoor Heath training complex following their return from a training camp in Portugal.

They weren’t the only ones hit – as youth players in the academy were forced to cough up, too. A source told The Sunday Mirror of the dire situation at the club: “The menu is top drawer. On Thursday there was fish, chicken, pasta, sweet potatoes – the list goes on.

“We’ve always been well looked after, so no complaints. Only now we’re being told to pay for it.”

However, players have been rescued from the desperate situation as Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens completed a £55m takeover to secure management of the club.

The club still faces an uncertain future – previous majority owner Dr Tony Xia remains on the board of directors, and manager Steve Bruce is not yet certain to stay despite receiving positive verbal indications.

There are two sales lined up despite the cash injection into the club, with Jack Grealish wanted by Spurs and James Chester’s move to Stoke City being held up by the takeover to be completed.