June 30 – Aston Villa are to sell their women’s team to V Sports, the club’s parent company, in a move designed to help comply with the Premier League’s profitability and sustainability regulations (PSR). The deal, while undisclosed in value, is expected to ease the financial strain that has impacted Villa in recent transfer windows.
V Sports, founded by Villa’s billionaire owners Wes Edens and Nassef Sawiris, also holds stakes in Portugal’s Vitória SC (29%) and Spain’s Real Unión (25%), the latter controlled by Villa manager Unai Emery.
Although Villa insist the sale wasn’t driven by PSR concerns, the move mirrors Chelsea’s recent strategy of selling their women’s team to their parent company, BlueCo, which generated nearly £200 million. For Villa, this transaction could provide a notable boost in PSR calculations.
Financially, Villa have been working to offset £195 million in losses over the past two years. While fringe players could be sold, Emery is keen to strengthen his squad ahead of a third consecutive European campaign.
The club remains confident of avoiding a breach of the rules and retaining key players. Villa have no plans to sell key assets like Morgan Rogers or Ollie Watkins, who are central to their project.
On the other hand, 32-year-old Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez, under contract until 2029 and Villa’s top earner, is eyeing a move away from Villa Park with Manchester United and Chelsea keen on the World Cup winner. This could present a good opportunity for the club to trim their wage bill and cash in on transfer fees in the process. The termination of Philippe Coutinho’s £125,000-a-week contract-after two years spent on loan – will also be at the top of the club’s to-do list.
Villa’s women’s team finished sixth in the Women’s Super League last season, maintaining top-flight status since 2020–21. The men’s team also secured sixth place in 2024–25, qualifying for the Europa League.
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1751310628labto1751310628ofdlr1751310628owedi1751310628sni@g1751310628niwe.1751310628yrrah1751310628