Aston Villa have reportedly begun exploring the sale of their women’s football team as part of a broader strategy to stay compliant with the Premier League’s Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR). The move could mirror a precedent set by Chelsea, who generated nearly £200 million in profit by transferring their women’s side to the club’s parent entity.
Villa’s financial situation is growing urgent. The club has posted losses of £195 million over the last two financial years, with figures revealing an £85.4 million deficit in 2023-24, following £119.6 million in 2022-23. Despite a modest profit in 2021-22, the cumulative shortfall puts the club in breach of PSR thresholds — unless decisive action is taken.
The women’s team, which finished sixth in the 2024-25 Women’s Super League, could now become a financial asset. Whether Aston Villa chooses to offload the side to an external investor or restructure internally — as Chelsea did — remains to be seen.
The Chelsea Blueprint: Profit Through Structural Strategy
In a precedent-setting move, Chelsea Women were sold to the club’s holding company, recording £198.7 million in revenue and enabling Chelsea FC to report a pre-tax profit of £128.4 million — crucial in maintaining PSR compliance.
Notably, Chelsea has since sold an 8% stake in their women’s team to Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, positioning the side as both a sporting and commercial powerhouse. However, their valuation is still under review by the Premier League to ensure it reflects fair market value, while UEFA is resisting the inclusion of this revenue in FFP assessments — a key detail for clubs looking to emulate the strategy on the European stage.
What This Means for Aston Villa
Villa’s ascent under Unai Emery, which includes three consecutive top-seven finishes and a spot in next season’s Europa League, has required heavy investment. But now, like other clubs navigating financial fair play, off-pitch restructuring could become the key to sustaining on-pitch performance.
While spending on infrastructure, youth development, and women’s football is technically exempt from PSR, strategic restructuring — such as selling the women’s team — may still serve as a legal workaround to reset the financial balance.
The potential sale also puts a spotlight on the commercial value of women’s teams, which are increasingly seen as independent revenue streams — with untapped potential in sponsorship, broadcast rights, and long-term equity play.
This situation reinforces a critical trend: clubs are no longer just sports teams — they are complex asset ecosystems.
At 365247, we help clubs:
- Strategically value and restructure women’s football teams
- Explore new investor pathways through women’s and academy team assets
- Build commercially independent women’s football entities
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IMAGE: Aston Villa
