Will we qualify for the CL?

[PaulWinch again]

I'd prefer a final day where we've already secured CL football, but Citeh need a win to pip Arsenal to the title. Unai, get the deckchairs out!

Four days after our 36 hour celebratory piss up in Istanbul.

That’d be perfect.

[AV82EC]

You’ve missed out the Wembley victory from the week before <winky thing>

[PeterWithesShin]

Final day, 5 mins to go and it's 0-0. Other scores mean a ManC win gives them the title, a Villa win gives us CL, a draw means both miss out. Now that would be fun.

I never thought it would be possible for a single short paragraph to trigger a panic attack...

We'll get a pen in the last min of added time, Ollie steps up to take it. That thought should relax you.

[Brazilian Villain]

Final day, 5 mins to go and it's 0-0. Other scores mean a ManC win gives them the title, a Villa win gives us CL, a draw means both miss out. Now that would be fun.

I never thought it would be possible for a single short paragraph to trigger a panic attack...

We'll get a pen in the last min of added time, Ollie steps up to take it. That thought should relax you.

*The run-up starts, Smirker waits, his index finger hovering above the mouse ready to press Post*

[ROBBO]

Qualifying makes all the difference to our spend in the summer, really want to see what Emery can do with a significant warchest.

[Rory]

Qualifying makes all the difference to our spend in the summer, really want to see what Emery can do with a significant warchest.

Would he ever have one?

We've been selling one of our top players every year for five years, usually for a tidy profit, but we're still seemingly in the shit.

As long as the rules suit Man City, though, they're grand.

[Percy McCarthy]

Qualifying makes all the difference to our spend in the summer, really want to see what Emery can do with a significant warchest.

Would he ever have one?

We've been selling one of our top players every year for five years, usually for a tidy profit, but we're still seemingly in the shit.

As long as the rules suit Man City, though, they're grand.

On the plus side, we manage to sustain the 10th highest wage bill in the world with the 14th highest revenue (24/25), some of the best players in the world, one of the best managers in the world, some of the best (and richest) owners, we’re 3rd in the toughest league in the world, on course to qualify for the Champions League for the second time in three years and are investing hundreds of millions in infrastructure. I don’t think we’re in the shit.

[Rory]

Qualifying makes all the difference to our spend in the summer, really want to see what Emery can do with a significant warchest.

Would he ever have one?

We've been selling one of our top players every year for five years, usually for a tidy profit, but we're still seemingly in the shit.

As long as the rules suit Man City, though, they're grand.

On the plus side, we manage to sustain the 10th highest wage bill in the world with the 14th highest revenue (24/25), some of the best players in the world, one of the best managers in the world, some of the best (and richest) owners, we’re 3rd in the toughest league in the world, on course to qualify for the Champions League for the second time in three years and are investing hundreds of millions in infrastructure. I don’t think we’re in the shit.

Fair enough, Perce, 'in the shit' was over the top.

I'm just frustrated at us constantly being on the verge of breaching some set of rules or another.

[Percy McCarthy]

^^ Didn’t mean to pick on you mate, just pointing out we’ve got a lot going for us as well. I imagine there are plenty of traditionally big clubs all over Europe who think we have ‘unfair’ advantages.

[Rory]

^^ Didn’t mean to pick on you mate, just pointing out we’ve got a lot going for us as well. I imagine there are plenty of traditionally big clubs all over Europe who think we have ‘unfair’ advantages.

No, not at all, brother. I agree with you, I think we're in a good place.

I just wish we weren't under such pressure all the time while the likes of Man City or Liverpool can have a net spend in one window greater than we've managed across five years - yet we're the ones on the verge of breaking the rules.

[ROBBO]

The rules as they are are incompatible with a competative Premiership,Villa would have to win Europe for the next ten years to compete commercially with the likes of Pool or City, the occassional minor cup win is all that is to left be played for, for most clubs it's avoiding relegation.

[Rory]

The rules as they are are incompatible with a competative Premiership,Villa would have to win Europe for the next ten years to compete commercially with the likes of Pool or City, the occassional minor cup win is all that is to left be played for, for most clubs it's avoiding relegation.

Yep, exactly, that's what I hate.

[Percy McCarthy]

The rules as they are are incompatible with a competative Premiership,Villa would have to win Europe for the next ten years to compete commercially with the likes of Pool or City, the occassional minor cup win is all that is to left be played for, for most clubs it's avoiding relegation.

Again, I disagree. We’d be right in the title race if not for injuries, not lack of spending freely. QED, it can be done. Stating the bleeding obvious, but the owners have a huge part to play. APTs are allowable now, as long as they’re fair market value. Heavy investment in marketing and infrastructure is allowable; the only costs that count under SCR are the head coach, the cost (fees and amortisation) of the first-team squad, and agents fees.

In the last four years of financial reporting, matchday income has trebled and broadcast income has doubled. Commercial income doubled in one year from 23/24 to 24/25. We’re buying up land in the local environs and investing in that. Let’s see where our revenue is and what our plans are in a couple of years time before we throw the towel in. If revenue grows as it has been over the last two or three years, the rest depends on recruitment, coaching and a successful academy. I’m excited and optimistic about the future. More importantly, so are two multi-billionaires and a multi-billion dollar investment vehicle, backed by Comcast Spectator.

[Duncan Shaw]

The rules as they are are incompatible with a competative Premiership,Villa would have to win Europe for the next ten years to compete commercially with the likes of Pool or City, the occassional minor cup win is all that is to left be played for, for most clubs it's avoiding relegation.

Again, I disagree. We’d be right in the title race if not for injuries, not lack of spending freely. QED, it can be done. Stating the bleeding obvious, but the owners have a huge part to play. APTs are allowable now, as long as they’re fair market value. Heavy investment in marketing and infrastructure is allowable; the only costs that count under SCR are the head coach, the cost (fees and amortisation) of the first-team squad, and agents fees.

In the last four years of financial reporting, matchday income has trebled and broadcast income has doubled. Commercial income doubled in one year from 23/24 to 24/25. We’re buying up land in the local environs and investing in it. Let’s see where our revenue is and what our plans are in a couple of years time before we throw the towel in. If revenue grows as it has been over the last two or three years, the rest depends on recruitment, coaching and a successful academy. I’m excited and optimistic about the future. More importantly, so are two multi-billionaires and a multi-billion dollar investment vehicle, backed by Comcast Spectator.

Claps hands...love this post Percy!

[Percy McCarthy]

Cheers Duncan. It would be remiss of me not to mention £170m invested in corporate areas, the Warehouse and the North Stand, plus the proposed improvements to two local railway stations. Seasonal attendances have smashed through the one million barrier over the last three years for the first time since the late seventies. With better facilities and diverse offers, visitor numbers to the area will also grow outside of football matches. Judging by the local growth plan, this is only the start.