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Aston Villa Can't Currently Afford Free Transfers Until There Is New Investment

Aston Villa Can't Currently Afford Free Transfers Until There Is New Investment

The Championship club lost the chance to return to the Premier League after losing the play-off final to Fulham.

Ryan Sidle

Ryan Sidle

I've never put any eggs in a basket but I'm led to believe that for any more than one egg you require multiple baskets and Aston Villa are learning this the hard way after failing to be promoted.

When Aston Villa were relegated from the Premier League in 2016 they did so as a previous mainstay of the top flight since its reshuffle in 1992, they seemed like the typical 'too big to go down' side.

However they had been slipping in previous seasons and had not finished above 15th in their previous four seasons before finishing bottom and going down to the Championship.

Villa players after the play-off final. Image: PA Images
Villa players after the play-off final. Image: PA Images

Having failed to get out of the Championship at the first time of asking signings like John Terry, Ahmed Elmohamady and Glenn Whelan gave them a reason to think a return to the Premier League was possible last season.

At one point a top two place looked possible but they had to settle for fourth and the play-offs, they made it to Wembley but were ultimately beaten by Fulham and it looks like that was really bad news for them.

There has been lots of talk about their financial problems and according to the Mirror it's so bad that they currently can't even afford free transfers.

Chinese owner Dr Tony Xia is in need of new investment or to find a new buyer and has told manager Steve Bruce that he can't currently bring anyone into the club, even for nothing.

That is a major blow to Bruce's plans for next season. The former Manchester United centre back was hoping to replace John Terry, whose contract expired, with free signing Robert Huth but that's not currently possible.

The squad is due to return to pre-season training next week and there will be no new faces to start the season.

Terry is leaving Villa Park after just one season. Image: PA Images
Terry is leaving Villa Park after just one season. Image: PA Images

Villa are hoping to make some cash by selling Jack Grealish. The English midfielder wants to leave and Spurs are currently interested but Daniel Levy is prepared to wait it out and get his man cheaper.

Things aren't looking good for the seven time league champions and something needs to change or they could be in a lot of trouble.

Promotion would have avoided these complications but now the club are left with egg on their faces.


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Topics: Football News, Steve Bruce, Aston Villa, Jack Grealish, Premier League, Transfer news, championship