Among some of the predictable July outcomes for Aston Villa, the club has been fined by UEFA, as reported by Fabrizio Romano.
Under the current guidelines, all sides have to maintain a cost ratio of 80 percent. Although it must be noted that some outlets had Villa's total as high as 96 percent, those reports appear now to be highly exaggerated.
For that breach, Villa will be forced to pay €6 million. Due to the amount of their lost revenue, the club will also be fined €5 million. Clubs are not allowed to exceed over €200 million in losses over a three-year span. From the club's perspective, there will not be a lengthy, involved appeals process. Instead, they have accepted the punishment and have been engaged in fairly consistent dialogue with the organizing body, showing an effort to reduce the current financial shortcomings to meet the regulations.
What this should show is that the affairs of the club are well managed and that there was not ever any serious fear of some of the doom scenarios unfolding that many were anticipating and projecting.
By contrast, Chelsea are being forced to pay nearly twice as much. Some of the other clubs that have been mentioned have differing offenses. Those of Villa are within the immediate control to deal with properly without leaving too much of a lingering effect on the club at all.
Takeaway for Aston Villa
For the most part, this shows that Villa did push the envelope and will have to be more careful to avoid a similar sequence moving forward. It does give an encouraging signal that there isn't too much else in terms of fallout or ramifications for their current approach as Unai Emery prepares for the upcoming campaign.
While many have been looking to speak a complete downfall of the club into existence, the worst fears have yet again been avoided, and the operations at Villa are under firm control.