Unai Emery reveals Aston Villa PSR fears as he explains 'intelligent' solution
Unai Emery admits selling players is par for the course as Aston Villa look to continue growing as a team. After qualifying for the Europa Conference League in 2022/23, Villa then finished fourth last term to secure a place in this season's Champions League. As a result, they gained access to the riches of Europe's blue-chip competition.
It was the perfect timing too just as the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability Rules began to take a grip on what the club was able to do in the transfer market. Last summer, Douglas Luiz was sold for £42m just before the end of the June 30 accounting deadline so Villa could avoid a points deduction, while Moussa Diaby was also flogged for £50.5m later in the window to meet UEFA's squad cost ratio rules.
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Earlier this week, Emery was asked about the importance of qualifying for the Champions League again in relation to the club's ability to retain their players given the strain caused by financial rules.
"Of course profit and sustainability rules are sometimes stopping us in how we can improve, but the idea is to try to keep moving forward," he explained.
"Being in the Champions League gives us a better chance to do that, as does qualifying for the Europa League or the Conference League.
"We have to be intelligent. We have to use different ways to improve our squad. If we have to sell players, do it, but always with the idea of replacing them with someone who can improve us."
This month, Villa are trying to sign a versatile forward, namely Donyell Malen, and a right-back. Jaden Philogene and Kosta Nedeljkovic are both expected to leave on loan as a result.
