Breaking news: 3 reasons Aston Villa may sell at LEAST one key player this summer after losing almost £120MILLION in the previous accounting year.

Aston Villa is facing the necessity of offloading at least one crucial player this upcoming summer after experiencing losses nearing £120 million in the previous accounting year. The club, striving for a spot in the Champions League, reported losses of £119.6 million for the year ending May 30, 2023, with the next accounting period expected to conclude on June 30 this year.

According to the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules (PSR), clubs cannot exceed losses of £105 million over a three-year period, with potential penalties such as points deductions for non-compliance.

As reported by Mail Sport on March 1, Villa anticipates interest from rival clubs this summer, particularly in midfielders Jacob Ramsey and Douglas Luiz. However, Villa is unlikely to entertain offers for key attackers Ollie Watkins or Leon Bailey, both of whom have signed new contracts since the beginning of 2023, along with Tyrone Mings, Ezri Konsa, and John McGinn.

Villa previously sold homegrown talents Cameron Archer, Aaron Ramsey (Jacob’s younger brother), and Jaden Philogene last summer for a combined £40 million, which counts as pure profit under PSR regulations. Jacob, also a product of the academy, holds a valuation of around £50 million, with Newcastle expressing interest in January.

Boubacar Kamara, another potential departure, could have been sold for over £50 million after joining for free in the summer of 2022, but a serious knee injury means he won’t be available until autumn.

Manager Unai Emery aims to strengthen the squad after the season, especially with a potential Champions League campaign looming, but compromises in the transfer market are likely.

Villa’s wage bill has significantly increased since Steven Gerrard replaced Dean Smith in autumn 2021, with further increases under Emery. High earners like Lucas Digne may also depart this summer.

In a statement, Villa emphasized that these figures align with their strategic business plan and reiterated their commitment to the club’s long-term and sustainable development, as well as compliance with the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability rules.