Aston Villa may sell at LEAST one key player this summer after losing almost £120MILLION in the last accounting year…. with futures of Douglas Luiz, Lucas Digne, and Jacob Ramsey unclear

Aston Villa face the prospect of having to sell at least one key player this summer after losing nearly £120million in the last accounting year.

The Champions League-chasing club posted losses of £119.6m for the year ending May 30, 2023, with the next accounting period expected to end on June 30 this year.

The Premier League‘s profit and sustainability rules (PSR) state that clubs can lose no more than £105m over a three-year period, with points deductions among the possible penalties for doing so.

As Mail Sport reported on March 1, Villa are braced for interest from rivals this summer with midfielders Jacob Ramsey and Douglas Luiz set to be targeted. Villa are unlikely to entertain bids for key attackers Ollie Watkins or Leon Bailey, who have signed new contracts since the start of 2023 – as have Tyrone Mings, Ezri Konsa and John McGinn.

Villa sold homegrown youngsters Cameron Archer, Aaron Ramsey – younger brother of Jacob – and Jaden Philogene last summer for a combined £40m, which can be banked as pure profit under PSR rules. 

Aston Villa may need to part ways with a top star in the summer – after losing £120million in the last accounting year

The club are braced for bids for the likes of Douglas Luiz after his excellent form this campaign

Jacob is also an academy product and is valued at about £50m, with Newcastle showing an interest during January. 

Boubacar Kamara would have been another possible departure as he joined for free in summer 2022 and could be sold for more than £50m, but the Frenchman will not be available until autumn after sustaining a serious knee injury.

Boss Unai Emery is keen to improve this squad at the end of the campaign, especially with a possible Champions League campaign ahead, but is likely to have to make compromises in the transfer market.

Newcastle showed interest in £50million-rated academy product Jacob Ramsey in January 

Lucas Digne, one of the club’s top earners, could move on as Villa look to regulate spending

Villa’s wage bill has also increased significantly since Steven Gerrard replaced Dean Smith in autumn 2021, with another boost under Emery. Top earners like Lucas Digne are among those who may also move on this summer.

Villa’s statement read: ‘It is important to note that these figures are in line with the strategic business plan, and we continue to operate within the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability rules.

‘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.’