Expert backs Villa owners to spend big

VILLA outlined exciting plans to increase the capacity of Villa Park and “modernise commercial facilities” in the club’s latest set of accounts.

Villa released their figures for the year ending May 31, 2020 earlier this month, revealing the impact the coronavirus has had on the club’s finances.

They declared a £99.2 million loss for the pandemic-hit 2019/20 season but remain debt-free under billionaire owners Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens, who plan to expand the stadium.

It was confirmed plans are being drawn up to expand Villa Park’s capacity of 42,785 and also update existing facilities in the ground.

It would take the investment of Sawiris and Edens to new heights – the accounts confirmed the club spent £155m in the 2019 summer window alone – but football finance expert Kieran Maguire says the expansion would have no impact on spending in other areas, such as transfers.

Villa are primed to attack the market again when the window re-opens this summer after recent successes – and it is set to be a key time with plans for a European Super League having been confirmed.

“I don’t see that (Villa Park expansion) being an issue, simply because of the wealth of the owners,” said Maguire. “If we take a look at Arsenal and Spurs, the reason they restricted expenditure during the construction of their stadiums was that they weren’t getting any funding from owners.

“So effectively they had to be self-financing when they were moving to the new stadium. As far as Villa are concerned, the owners will say they can fund the stadium expansion themselves.

“So there will be no impact on Dean Smith’s ability to recruit and retain the players in the squad.”

Villa signed Ollie Watkins, Emiliano Martinez, Matty Cash and Bertrand Traore on permanent deals last summer at an estimated cost of around £75m, while Ross Barkley arrived on loan. The cheque book was opened again in January to finance the £14m signing of Morgan Sanson from Marseille.