Aston Villa may be thriving in the Europa League this season, but that hasn't prevented the club from finding themselves in hot water over UEFA's strict financial rules
A general view of Villa Park
Aston Villa are set to see a hefty fine(Image: Getty Images)
View Image
Aston Villa have found themselves in hot water with UEFA for breaching financial rules for the second year in a row, according to reports.
The Times are reporting that Villa are expected to have breached the Europa League's squad cost rule, which could see them landed with a 'heavy fine' should spending on player wages, transfers and agents make up more than 70 per cent of their revenue.
It comes after Villa were fined in the region of £5.2million in July as a result of breaching the UEFA's 80 per cent rule in 2024. With officials reducing the standards by 10 per cent for this year's tournaments, the club has struggled to comply.
Villa are not expected to be running any risk of violating a settlement deal agreed with UEFA last year after breaching a separate football earnings rule which covers financial loss.
That deal includes a £4.3m fine, as well as certain transfer restrictions and targets set around future losses.
Should the club breach said settlement, it could in theory lead to more serious consequences, including their exclusion from European competition - regardless of their qualification either domestically or the previous year's instalment.
Club insiders have told the newspaper that there has been a major drop in terms of revenue from competing in the Champions League last season to the Europa League this season/
FOLLOW OUR FACEBOOK PAGE! Get more news and AVFC analysis via our Aston Villa FB page
However, Villa have still managed to comply with the Premier League's Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR).
That standard was ultimately helped by the club's decision to register the £55m sale of the women's team to their parent company being accepted as registered income.
It comes as Villa are currently thriving in the Europa League, as they look to the knockout stages of the competition.
Unai Emery managed to mastermind seven wins and one loss from his first-team's eight league phase matches, settling for a second-place finish in the standings.
While league leaders Lyon and Villa both shared a total of 21 points, the Ligue 1 titans' goal difference was five clear of Villa's
Villa turn their attention to the fourth round of the FA Cup this weekend, playing host to Newcastle United on Saturday, February 14.