What new FFP rules mean for Aston Villa's transfer plans under Steven Gerrard

Aston Villa will be keeping an eye on developments regarding UEFA's financial fair play rules and a potential abolishment of them.

The New York Times is reporting that FFP is to be replaced by a new 70 per cent spend cap with a potential exit from the Champions League for clubs that fall foul of the rules. Teams will not be able to spend more than 70 per cent of income on football-related activity, such as wages and transfer fees, meaning top clubs are unlikely to be restricted too much.

It will take three years for the rules to take effect once they are voted through by UEFA's board next month. Bigger clubs with better revenues than their competition, because of television rights money or commercial deals, will be able to spend more than their rivals.

The 70 per cent cap will be brought in after three seasons, with 90 per cent allowed until then to allow for teams to adjust their budgets accordingly. Villa are not currently bound by UEFA jurisdiction because they do not compete in any of their competitions, though that is the aim for next season certainly with Steven Gerrard looking to push on after a strong summer transfer window so they will have to be taken on board.

Villa have spent big on players since being taken over by current owners Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens, but they have offset that by the £100 million sale of Jack Grealish with the departures of other players also helping to raise cash. NSWE will bankroll another summer of spending as they look to bridge the gap between Villa and their competitors in the bid for a return to European football.

Yves Bissouma and Kalvin Phillips, of Brighton and Hove Albion and Leeds United respectively, are transfer targets for an ambitious Villa. In their most recent