Aston Villa are reportedly closing in on a £55 million deal to sell their women’s team to avoid breaching the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules (PSR).
The Telegraph has reported that Villa plan to sell 10% of their Women’s Super League team to external prominent American investors.
It’s claimed that Villa are looking to sell the remaining 90% to the club’s own parent company, V Sports, controlled by Nassef Sawiris.
The sale would help the club comply with the men’s Premier League PSR rules without selling a first-team player.
Though there is an accounting deadline on June 30th, a sale only needs to be agreed in principle to be included in the 2024-25 accounts.
Aston Villa would not be the only club to follow this tactic to meet PSR rules. Chelsea sold their women’s team to the club’s holding company for £198.7m. Reddit founder Alexis Ohanian purchased a small stake of between eight and 10 per cent for £20m.
Exclusive: Aston Villa to avoid PSR breach as they close in on £55m women's team deal. Warehouse project also lined up for PSR boost and club commit to Uefa player cost cut. Story with @SamWallaceTel #AVFC https://t.co/l2s9l4YoXg
— Matt Law (@Matt_Law_DT) June 30, 2025
What does the sale mean for Aston Villa Women?
For Aston Villa Women, the likely sale could open up new investment opportunities and support, depending on the identity and vision of the incoming minority stakeholder.
The day-to-day running of the WSL side is unlikely to change much given that the parent company of Aston Villa, V Sports still have majority control.
Aston Villa Women will remain within the broader corporate umbrella while attracting new income in the form of prominent American investors.
Aston Villa Women finished sixth in the WSL last season and will hope that greater financial focus – freed from men’s PSR constraints – could allow for long-term stability and growth
Depending on the vision of the owners they may pump in more money to attract top talent and perhaps secure media deals or sponsorships which suit the women’s team.
However, there might be some concerns from fans as there is no guarantee that investment will be increased. Whether Aston Villa get more or less funding is dependent on parent company V Sport and the incoming American investors.
Why are Aston Villa selling their women’s team?
Aston Villa have been looking to sell their women’s team so that the men’s side are not affected by breaching PSR rules.
The Athletic reported that Villa have been looking into a sale for the past 18 months. This comes after recording losses of £195m over the past two years.
Combined losses of more than £105m over three seasons would constitute as a PSR breach.
According to the Guardian, a similar process has been considered for “The Warehouse” – which is the club’s new music and events space in the North Stand car park. This is said to have a potential value of around £50m.
How is the sale of the women’s team allowed?
Currently, the Premier League allows the sale of “fixed tangible assets” to clubs’ parent or sister companies and for the profits of those sales to be used for PSR purposes.
Chelsea sold their women’s team for £200m, though this transaction has still to be approved in terms of value. However, Alexis Ohanian’s purchase of 8% of the women’s team puts the value higher than £200m and could help in the Premier League’s valuation process.
UEFA don’t allow transactions between sister companies to be registered as income for its own financial system.
