Finance Guru: Aston Villa could land £50m payout as Champions League qualification edges closer

Aston Villa could be set to land a £50million windfall following their performances in the Premier League and Europe this season.

That is according to former Manchester City financial adviser Stefan Borson, who exclusively told Football Insider Unai Emery’s side are almost certain to qualify for the Champions League.

Villa have reached the Europa League final following their 4-1 victory on aggregate over Nottingham Forest in the semi-finals, setting up a showdown against Freiburg in Istanbul later this month.

Meanwhile, the West Midlands giants are closing in on a top-five finish in the Premier League as they currently sit fifth heading into the final two games of the season.

Villa will secure automatic qualification for the Champions League if they win the Europa League or finish fifth in the top-flight table.

💰 Aston Villa Finance Update 💰

Inside the transfer budget, player wages, NSWE investment, and the latest Villa Park stadium expansion news.

Villa have struggled to comply with the profit and sustainability rules (PSR) in recent years, but the sale of the women’s team and The Warehouse entertainment venue helped them record a £17m profit last season.

However, NSWE UK Limited – the club’s parent company – suffered a £96.7m loss across the same period.

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Borson discussed the impact of NSWE’s losses at Villa Park.

“It doesn’t tell us anything we didn’t already know,” said Borson.

“We knew that they had these issues once you strip out the intra-group sales to themselves of the women’s team and The Warehouse. We knew that they made a big loss, so that’s not a surprise.

“They’re almost certainly in the Champions League. Everything looks a lot easier when you’re in the Champions League next season and when you’ve maxed out on the Europa League this season.”

Borson revealed Villa could receive an extra £50m prize money due to their performances this season.

“They almost certainly will win the Europa League given that they’re playing Freiburg,” said Borson.

“That will be worth let’s say total, including matchdays, probably £40m. It’s not been a terrible season, even though it’s only been a Europa League season. Clearly, it’s not as lucrative as being in the Champions League, but it’s not disastrous by any means.

Aston Villa owners NSWE post loss of almost £100m in new accounts https://t.co/0tVQx1veAe

“If you also look at the position versus last season in the Premier League, they can still get fourth. That’s going to obviously be worth a little bit more than last year’s finish. Not much more, but a little bit more.

“Together they may do £50m from the Europa League, plus the uplift versus last year’s Premier League.

“But they know that they’re underwritten next year for Champions League. They know they’ve got a minimum of five home games by the time you put in the play-off.”

🦁 ASTON VILLA INSIDER UPDATE 🦁

Get the inside track on the Villa Park dugout, transfer strategy, player wages, and technical leadership at Bodymoor Heath.

Updated 24/7 with expert analysis from Villa Park.