Aston Villa announcement goes against all theories – Finance Expert

We’re delighted to welcome football finance expert Dr Daniel Plumley as our exclusive columnist, he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Aston Villa.

Dan Plumley has insisted that Aston Villa delaying the expansion of Villa Park is “refreshing” despite it going against all financial theories attached.

The finance expert admitted that investing in stadiums in the long-term is positive with how you can monetise that, but while things are going well on the pitch, that windfall can cover that anyway.

Chris Heck has confirmed that plans to expand Villa Park have been put on hold, despite being granted planning permission to add an extra 10,000 seats.

“It’s an interesting narrative,” he exclusively told Villa News.

“It kind of goes against the financial theory of investment in stadia in the long term is good and how you can monetise that in the future, expansion adding new seats, corporate and hospitality offers, the experience outside of a match day.

“This is an example of them saying they appreciate all of that, but at the minute they are doing quite well, it’s actually a tough place to go and play, the players are enjoying playing there, and the fans bring a dynamic to that, and actually, at the risk of longer-term expansion, while things are going good, they’ll leave it as it is.

“In many ways, I think many people may find that refreshing, it goes against the long-term financial benefit they may get, but while things are going good and Villa do end up in the Champions League places, that brings them a financial windfall anyway without having to buck the cost of expansion.

“It is probably, in Villa’s case, not a bad play to see how it goes in the next few months and maybe into next year as well.”

GET MORE NEWS HERE