Simon Jordan launches Hibs defence as 'gobstoppers and string' cash comparison just one reason for Villa thumping

Simon Jordan inists Hibs being humbled by Aston Villa wasn't a "bad advert" for Scottish football, simply an example of the vast financial gulf between top flight clubs on either side of the border being played out on the park.

The Hibees suffered a 5-0 hiding in the first leg of their Europa Conference League playoff tie against Unai Emery's men. The Villains were 3-0 up at the break thanks to an Ollie Watkins double and Leon Bailey's header. Watkins completed his hat-trick in the second half before Douglas Luiz made it five from the penalty spot.

Some were quick to pour scorn on the Scottish game as a result, including fans of lower league English clubs who claimed our top clubs would even struggle to beat them. But Jordan isn't having that, and in addition to the massive cash advantage, he reminded the lower league loudmouths south of the border that teams like Villa take European matches more seriously than they do cup ties against the lesser lights in their own country.

He told TalkSport: "The stark reality is, and it's an inherent unfairness, if you're looking at Hibernian they have a wage bill of £3.8million. If you look at Aston Villa, they;ve got a wage bill of £120m.

"Aston Villa's transfer spend over the last two years has been circa £180m - £190m. Hibernian's has been £1.5m.

"Hibernian's turnover is £11m, Aston Villa's turnover is £170m. So it takes Hibernian 16 years what Aston Villa earn in one year. It takes Aston Villa three weeks to earn what Hibernian earn in a year. So the scales of finances are evidence.

"You say: 'Hang on, you get cup shocks, you get League One or League Two clubs giving the Premiership clubs a bloody nose.' Yeah, but they don't take it particularly seriously and they put out