Aston Villa, a club which lost in the Championship playoff final last season, is now facing an uphill battle this season.
Aston Villa financial issues
The situation in Villa Park is making Villa fans nervous. The club is faced with a financial crisis and the only way to resolve it is by selling the best players, as owner Tony Xia needs to raise funds to comply with Financial Fair Play rules. The problems are so severe that The Claret & Blue can’t even afford to sign players on loan. John Terry left mainly because the club couldn’t afford to resign him, Robert Snodgrass has returned to West Ham United, while No.1 goalkeeper Sam Johnstone is a West Bromwich Albion player now. Those are three members of the starting lineup manager Steve Bruce will be missing. In all likelihood, they won’t be the only ones.
Albert Adomah
WBA are interested in winger Albert Adomah, a player who had a renaissance 2017/18 campaign, scoring 15 goals. If the relegated Baggies lose Matt Phillips, Adomah is seen as a cheap replacement. Newcastle United is also interested in the 30-year-old, with Rafa Benitez growing tired in his pursuit of Crystal Palace winger, Andros Townsend. Adomah was keen to stay in Aston Villa and asked for a new contract at the end of last season. It would’ve been awarded if Villa would’ve been promoted. However, the lack of finances makes it impossible right now.
Jack Grealish
Highly-rated 22-year-old Jack Grealish is Aston Villa’s most prized asset and at €28 million, he could be the one to provide relief for the team’s financial troubles. Tottenham Hotspur have been heavily linked with the youngster, but are seemingly unprepared to buy at the requested price. An American group which offered to buy the club asked for Grealish’s fee to be raised to over €40 million in order to deter any potential suitors, as they saw him as a player they could build the team around. Owner Tony Xia refused and has no intention of giving up ownership.
James Chester
John Terry’s defensive partner James Chester is another player who could be sold and might even be the first one out the door. Stoke City have already made an offer for slightly less than the €11.5 million asking price and Aston Villa wouldn’t be able to resist an improved one.
Striker Jonathan Kodjia could be on his way out the door as well, leaving the club with only one center forward in Keinan Davis (both Scott Hogan and Rushian Hepburn-Murphy currently out injured).
Unless the situation somehow improves soon, Steve Bruce will lose half of his starting lineup in one off-season and without viable replacements, he’ll have to make do with a make-shift starting eleven this year. For a fan base hoping to watch Premier League football next season, it is far from encouraging news.