Aston Villa finances: Club report £119.6m loss for 2022-23 season

Aston Villa have reported a loss of £119.6m in their latest accounts up to 31 May 2023.

Villa say the figures are “in line with the strategic business plan” and within the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules.

PSR rules, introduced in 2015-16, permit losses of up to £105m in a three-year spell.

A statement read: “The owners of Aston Villa remain committed to the long-term and sustainable development of the club, and we look forward to continued progress on the delivery of our strategic plan.”

Investments in infrastructure, the academy, charity foundation and women’s football can be deducted from PSR figures. Clubs are also allowed to claim back losses incurred during the two seasons impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Villa made a profit of £300,000 in their 2021-22 accounts, helped by the sale of England midfielder Jack Grealish to Manchester City for £100m.

The Midlands club saw an increase in revenue of £217.7m in 2022-23, up from £178.4m in the previous year.

They spent £63.7m on new players including Diego Carlos from Sevilla for a reported £26m and Philippe Coutinho from Barcelona for £17m, while generating £22m from player sales.

Wage costs rose from £137m to £194.2m and the amortisation of player contracts also increased by £10m to £92.5m.

The club also sacked manager Steven Gerrard and replaced him with Unai Emery, who helped the club to their best league finish since 2009-10 and qualify for Europe for the first time in more than a decade.

Last summer they signed France winger Moussa Diaby from Bayer Leverkusen for a reported £51m and Spain centre-back Pau Torres from Villarreal for a reported £31.5m, though those figures will be included in next year’s accounts.

They are currently fourth in the Premier League and on course for a place in the Champions League next season.

Everton were deducted 10 points, reduced to six on appeal, for breaching PSR rules in the three-year period to 2021-22.

In January the Toffees were charged along with Nottingham Forest for alleged breaches in their accounts up to 2022-23.

Forest’s case is due to be heard this week. A date for Everton’s hearing is not yet known but it must be heard by 8 April. However, any appeal could take that process to 24 May, the week after the season has concluded.