Aston Villa Consider Women’s Team Stake Sale Amid Financial Pressures | OneFootball

Aston Villa Consider Stake Sale in Women’s Team to Ease Financial Strain

PSR Pressure Forces Strategic Thinking

Aston Villa’s impressive resurgence on the pitch may have thrilled fans, but the financial costs are beginning to weigh heavily behind the scenes. According to The Times, the club is now exploring the sale of a stake in their women’s team to help ensure compliance with the Premier League’s Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR).

“The club recorded a £195million loss over the past two years, meaning they are in danger of breaching the Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR). Selling part of their women’s team would offer a new way to reduce losses.” These are the stark realities facing the Villa board, who now face difficult decisions off the field even as the men’s team flourish.

Villa’s financial trajectory has been a tightrope walk: a profit of just £300,000 in 2021–22 was followed by losses of £119.6 million and £85.4 million in the two subsequent seasons. The PSR threshold of £105 million over a rolling three-year period means the club is on the brink of regulatory breaches despite its growth.

Photo: IMAGO

Learning from Chelsea’s PSR Model

This is not a route pioneered by Villa alone. Chelsea set a controversial precedent by selling their women’s team to their parent company, an internal transaction that allowed them to increase revenue without a traditional sale.

It is not yet clear whether Villa would pursue a similar model or turn to external investors, but either route would generate capital. The valuation control afforded by a parent company sale appeals to clubs, though “Chelsea valued their women’s team at considerably more than £150million — at least double the forecasts of football finance experts,” which raises serious questions about fair market value.

There remains Premier League scrutiny around Chelsea’s deal, and whether it constitutes a fair approach to regulation or an exploitative loophole. If approved, it could pave the way for others like Villa to follow suit.

Champions League Push Comes at a Cost

Villa’s financial challenges are made more complex by their recent success. European qualification, sustained progress in the FA Cup, and a push for Champions League football have all demanded investment – on players, wages, and infrastructure.

The departure of Douglas Luiz, Omari Kellyman and Tim Iroegbunam for a combined £70 million ahead of last summer’s PSR deadline shows just how tight margins are. In a revealing interview, Nassef Sawiris, Villa’s owner, stated the PSR limits “do not make sense”, referencing an unsuccessful bid to raise the loss ceiling to £135 million.

A sale involving the women’s team could provide the buffer needed to avoid similar fire sales this summer, allowing Villa to retain key players and remain competitive at the top level.

Photo: IMAGO

Women’s Team Vulnerable Amid Restructuring

On the pitch, Villa’s Women’s Super League (WSL) campaign has been less inspiring, with the team second-bottom in the table. Their struggles contrast sharply with the men’s side, further fuelling speculation that financial and sporting priorities may be diverging.

Selling a stake to external investors, however, comes with risks. Clubs potentially lose control over branding, sponsorship, and long-term development – and in a footballing landscape increasingly conscious of gender equity, such moves will be scrutinised not just through a financial lens, but an ethical one.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

From a Villa fan’s perspective, this is a tough one to digest. On the one hand, there’s a pragmatic acceptance that modern football is as much about financial compliance as it is about winning matches. On the other, it’s hard not to feel that selling part of the women’s team – particularly during a difficult season for them – sends the wrong message.

The men’s team is finally delivering the kind of football supporters have craved for years, and the Champions League dream is no longer fantasy. But fans also want their club to stand for values – growth across all teams, fair treatment, and stability.

The board’s hands are tied by PSR, yes. But finding creative loopholes, especially ones that echo Chelsea’s tactics, might not sit well long term. Transparency will be key. If Villa can ensure continued investment in the women’s team, maintain control of their identity, and still navigate PSR waters, most supporters will support it.

But sell out too much – or cut corners – and it won’t just be revenue lost. It’ll be trust.