UEFA to block Aston Villa from making signings again in January - finance expert
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(Credit: Imago / Getty Images)
Ben Palmer
Tue 16 September 2025 19:53, UK
Aston Villa will be forced to show restraint in January as a consequence of UEFA’s financial restrictions.
That is according to football finance expert Dan Plumley, who told Football Insider exclusively that he does not expect the Villains to spend on permanent signings this winter.
Aston Villa are yet to score in their first four Premier League games of the season and Unai Emery‘s side currently sit 19th in the table.
Despite just missing out on Champions League qualification last season, the Midlands side were forced to register a positive net spend on transfers this summer.
Evann Guessand joined Villa from OGC Nice, whilst Marco Bizot was signed for a nominal fee from Stade Brestois, but their arrivals were offset by Jacob Ramsey’s move to Newcastle.
Even if the club has the funds available to them, the Villains will be unable to improve their ailing side this winter thanks to UEFA’s restrictions placed upon them.
Unai Emery’s side have endured a frustrating start to the 2025-26 season.
Credit: Hasan Karim, Breaking Media
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Plumley explained that UEFA’s sanctions against Aston Villa would continue to impact their transfer decisions in the coming window.
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Jadon Sancho and Harvey Elliott were signed on loan, with the latter having an obligation to buy in his deal, and the Midlands side will have to make similar moves this winter.
He said: “I don’t think that we’ll see them spending in January.
Credit: Hasan Karim – Breaking Media
“The UEFA restrictions will continue to apply, and we’ve already seen narrative to support that cause from the club and UEFA that they’re going to be under the cosh a little bit.
“We know that part of the agreement with UEFA in the summer was to have a positive net transfer surplus, which they did.
“They are satisfying what they need to do, but it’s impacting what they can bring in, and that’s why we’ve seen them bring in loan players with obligations, rather than paying fees.”
With a need to sell before they buy, the Villains will likely be scrutinising their squad, looking at where they can optimise their finances.
However, Aston Villa will offer John McGinn a new contract, making the Scotland international one player who will not be leaving any time soon.
Credit: Imago
The 30-year-old was linked with an exit in the summer, and Everton were desperately keen to add him to their ranks.
However, McGinn has proven himself to be a key piece of Emery’s set-up in recent years, and the ex-Hibernian midfielder looks set to extend his stay at Villa Park.