Aston Villa have broken into the top 20 of the Deloitte Money League thanks to on-pitch performance over the past 12 months.

Last year, Villa didn’t break into the list but thanks to improved performances on the pitch aiding merit payments, and the improved domestic TV deal yielding higher broadcast sums, the club look on course for healthy increases in some key areas when the 2023/24 accounts are published as they continue to try and comply with financial fair play regulations.

Deloitte's Sports Business Group, which advises governments, investors, sport governing bodies and organisations, liaised with clubs ahead of the report’s publication to determine the headline figures, with Villa's total revenue for the 2023/24 financial year, according to the Money League data, sitting around £262m (€310.2m), which, if correct, would represent a rise of some 20 per cent year on year.

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In the report, matchday income is placed at £44.4m, while commercial income appears to have dipped to £36m from £43m. The big rise comes from broadcast revenue, with that figure standing at £181.5m (€214.7). If correct, that would be a rise of 19 per cent compared to the previous year, a bump of £28.9m.

The move into the top 20 sees Villa - owned by Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens through their NSWE vehicle - placed 18th on the list, above French giants Marseille and Olympique Lyonnais. Given the Villans' European adventures this season, and likelihood of a significant rise in commercial revenue when the full impact of new deals is felt in a financial year, means that they could well climb higher when the 2026 list comes out in 12 months time.

West Ham United, Newcastle United, Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester United and Manchester City are the other Premier League clubs in the top 20, with Real Madrid once again sitting at the summit.

Tim Bridge, lead partner in the Deloitte Sports Business Group, said: £Money League clubs continue to break records with ongoing growth in commercial and matchday revenues. While on-pitch performance is critical for teams to reach the top echelons of the rankings, high performing clubs are also able to diversify the way they generate revenue through unlocking innovative partnerships and developing the land and stadium space that they own or operate.

"While commercial revenue dominates the income of the top ten Money League clubs, broadcast income remains crucial for teams in the second half of the rankings. "As competitions expand and create more broadcast and matchday opportunities, these can further increase the earning potential for clubs.

"At a time where there is more demand than ever for a greater number of matchdays, this must be balanced with player welfare, as they ultimately bring the on-field success that can earn clubs many further rewards off-field."

Villa's most recent outing in the Champions League came on Tuesday, when they lost 1-0 to AS Monaco.

They are back in action on Sunday when they host West Ham United at Villa Park. Unai Emery's men are currently in eighth place in the Premier League, two points off the top four.

In the Champions League, at the time of writing they sit in ninth place with 13 points from seven games.

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