Football finance expert praises 'fantastic' Aston Villa analysis

Aston Villa would have broken even had it not been for the Covid-19 pandemic, according to football finance expert Kieran Maguire.

Last week, the club announced losses of £38million, a figure drastically reduced from £100million the year before.

Meanwhile, revenue has increased from £36million to £71million. Villa's income has increased, despite the impacts of Covid through the 2020/21 campaign due to broadcast revenue increasing, as well as the club's higher league finish of 11th place compared to 17th the previous season.

League position has accounted for around £13million of revenue.

Maguire, a senior lecturer in accountancy at the University of Liverpool and part of the popular Price of Football podcast, has praised Villa’s financial transparency.

“Villa have got a fantastic analysis of the impact of Covid,” Maguire told Football Insider.

“They have managed to paint a picture of how they have been hit by the pandemic

“They think Covid has cost them £56m since March 2020, and two thirds of that is in 2020-21.

“Had it not been for Covid, the club would likely have broken even on the basis of these numbers.”

The only club to post a profit during the 2020/21 season was Manchester City.