Alan Shearer has expressed his disapproval of the financial regulations that have compelled Aston Villa to sell several key players this summer. The Premier League and UEFA’s financial rules have led to a significant reshaping of Villa’s squad, with Morgan Rogers, Ezri Konsa, and Youri Tielemans having already departed. Additionally, Ollie Watkins and Emi Martinez are believed to be on their way out, potentially leaving manager Unai Emery without five regular starters from last season.
The sales are primarily a response to the Premier League’s financial rules and UEFA’s squad cost ratio (SCR), putting pressure on clubs like Villa to generate significant funds through player transfers to stay within the regulations and avoid penalties.
Shearer, serving as a Betfair Ambassador, sympathises with Villa, noting similarities with Newcastle United’s situation. He commented on the unfairness of the current financial environment that forces ambitious clubs to continually sell their best talent. “I have a bit of sympathy for Villa because we’re in the same boat at Newcastle,” Shearer said during the launch of Betfair’s Walk of Shame. “I don’t think it’s right. You have to constantly sell your best players. Newcastle had to do it last year, they had to do it this year, and it’s hit Villa hard this term.”
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Despite these challenges, Shearer remains confident in Villa’s prospects under Unai Emery’s leadership, praising the manager’s ability to guide the team through difficult periods. “They’ve got an incredible manager who will be able to guide them - as he has done over the past few years and done a great job,” Shearer added. “Whilst they have Unai Emery as manager, I’ll always back them.”
Previously, the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) permitted clubs to incur maximum losses of £105 million over three years. Villa’s latest accounts showed a post-tax profit of £17 million, but that followed losses of £119.6 million in 2023 and £85.4 million in 2024.
The PSR has been replaced with a new financial model aligning spending to revenue, allowing clubs to spend up to 85% of their football-related revenue on squad costs - including player wages, coaching staff, transfer amortisation, and agent fees. UEFA imposes a stricter 70% limit for clubs in its competitions.
Aston Villa have breached UEFA’s regulations twice, resulting in fines of £9.5 million last year and £19.4 million earlier this year (with £12.9 million suspended under a settlement).
This summer, Villa have generated over £250 million from player sales - a club record - with the figure expected to exceed £300 million before the transfer window closes. Key transfers include Morgan Rogers to Chelsea for £117 million, Ezri Konsa to Arsenal for £55 million, and Youri Tielemans to Manchester United for £35 million. Ollie Watkins and Emi Martinez are also poised to leave, with Watkins expected to join Al-Hilal for around £50 million and Martinez close to a £7 million move to Chelsea.
A former Villa executive acknowledged the pressures caused by financial regulations: “It’s necessity because of the rules,” they told the BBC. “The PSR, the SCR, issues are well documented. It does seem slightly unfair they’re having their ambition capped at this level. But it has forced this very big churn of players, which is unfortunate. Some will be forced due to PSR, some will be player demand. Combined, it makes a big problem for Emery and certainly it is a lot to swallow in one go and to try and replace.”