Latest news with #NassefSawiris
Telegraph
22-05-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
Dark cloud hanging over Villa if they fail to reach Champions League
Aston Villa are tantalisingly close to securing a Champions League place and, for the second season running, Unai Emery is dismantling the established order of the 'Big Six'. Emery is guaranteed to finish more than 20 points ahead of Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League table, while countless records are tumbling under his spell. There should be no barrier to Villa's progress under their brilliant Basque manager. But, unfortunately and perhaps unfairly, there is a dark cloud that will hang over them again if they fall short in their pursuit of a top-five finish. The threat of breaching profitability and sustainability rules forced some unwanted decisions last summer, and Villa will have to trade carefully again this summer without Champions League football. Villa's senior management are incredibly frustrated with those rules. They feel the ambition of owners Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens is limited. Villa's supporters are also tired of PSR, and many feel their club are being targeted for threatening the elite. You cannot blame them. The outcome of Manchester City's 130 charges is yet to be determined. Chelsea can sell two hotels and their women's team, while Manchester United will aim to recover from an abysmal season with another huge spend. It does not feel fair on Villa. Emery is punching away at heavyweight clubs with infinitely larger resources and revenue, but the pressure to comply with PSR is an unwelcome headache for the hierarchy. The drive to continue progressing comes at a cost. Despite estimations that revenue will exceed £300 million this season, it is a challenging balancing act. Earlier this year a financial report revealed that Villa's wages-to-revenue ratio was 96 per cent in the 2023-24 season. With the 10th highest wage bill in Europe last season, they are paying more than Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich. Uefa's squad cost ratio rules will also drop next season, setting the amount clubs can spend of their revenue on player costs at 70 per cent. Securing a second successive year in the Champions League remains possible, and would be a huge positive. And not just for Emery's hopes of attracting even better players. While the Europa League would not be a colossal disappointment – you have to remember that Villa were in the Championship only six years ago – the prize money on offer in the Champions League is multiplied by four. For many clubs, and not just Villa, the date of June 30 will come under sharper focus at the end of the Premier League's financial year. Last summer, Villa's key transfer gurus, Monchi and Damian Vidagany, worked 14-hour days to scramble many deals over the line in order to avoid a points deduction. It was only the £42 million sale of Douglas Luiz to Juventus on deadline day that averted a potential PSR charge. The threat of Villa having to sell at least one big-name player this year before June 30 is very real. Emiliano Martínez was in tears at the end of Villa's final home game against Tottenham and his future remains uncertain. The World Cup winner is on a big salary at 32 years old and any deal would be expensive. Al-Nassr, the Saudi Pro League club who have Cristiano Ronaldo and former Villa striker Jhon Durán, could be a potential destination, but staying in Europe would be Martínez's preference. Villa have sought buyers for Leon Bailey, the £25 million signing from Bayer Leverkusen, over the last two windows and will attempt to offload him again this summer. The most difficult sale would be Jacob Ramsey, a product of the Villa academy who was recently highlighted by England manager Thomas Tuchel. Ramsey has long-standing interest from Tottenham and his sale would represent pure profit for Villa. While his exit would be unpalatable, it would alleviate financial pressure to comply with the rules. Morgan Rogers, the England international, is admired by Chelsea but it is understood that Villa will not consider his sale at any price. Signed for about £15 million from Middlesbrough last year, Rogers is rated at a price nearing £100 million now and is perhaps the best example of how players improve under Emery. There is also a 20 per cent sell-on clause from the deal agreed with Middlesbrough, which will be at the forefront of Villa minds. Villa's incoming signings will also be driven by the rules, and which European competition they qualify for. Marcus Rashford, the Manchester United loanee, will only sign permanently if Villa secure Champions League football. Marco Asensio, the Spain international signed from Paris St-Germain, is a more achievable deal and his transfer fee is not expected to be high. Villa will also aim to retain the core of their squad. Boubacar Kamara, the France international, is in advanced talks over a new contract. Youri Tielemans has been the club's player of the season and is likely to be offered improved terms to reflect his importance to Emery's team. England international Tyrone Mings has just over a year left on his deal and is expected to hold talks with the hierarchy over an extension. Emery is determined to continue Villa's upward trajectory. He has performed another outstanding job this season to reach the Champions League quarter-finals and an FA Cup semi-final. Those European victories over Bayern Munich, RB Leipzig and Celtic, plus the stirring night at home to PSG, will linger long in the memory. Only Tottenham, United and Arsenal have played more games than Villa this season [and Villa only registered 20 players in Europe]. They now have one final shot at glory this weekend, against a United team who will be licking their wounds after the Europa League final defeat. A top-five finish is out of their hands, and they require either a victory or draw, plus either Chelsea or Newcastle to lose. However, if Chelsea lose to Nottingham Forest, and Villa can only draw, Forest will go above them, among many other permutations. With Emery around anything is possible, and last week he said: 'Until the last second, let's keep dreaming together.' At Old Trafford, the dream could become a reality.
AU Financial Review
07-05-2025
- Business
- AU Financial Review
How private equity's brutal reckoning could help Australia
Private-equity dealmakers pride themselves on cutting through the corporate BS and getting down to business. So we can only imagine the sector's masters of the universe would read the views of Egyptian industrialist and billionaire investor Nassef Sawiris with begrudging respect this week. 'Private equity has seen its best days . . . They can't exit. Exits are so tough,' Sawiris told the Financial Times.
CNBC
05-05-2025
- Business
- CNBC
18. Aston Villa
Revenue and EBITDA figures are for the 2023-24 season, except for Major League Soccer teams, whose figures are for the 2024 Revenue and EBITDA figures have been converted to U.S. dollars based on the average exchange rate during the season (1 euro = $1.0816; 1 pound = $1.2608), and team values and debt figures have been converted using the exchange rate as of March 27, 2025 (1 euro = 1.0788; 1 pound = $1.2938). Total revenue: $336 millionEBITDA: −$60 millionDebt as a percentage of value: 0% Match day: $56 millionCommercial: $47 millionBroadcasting: $233 million Country: EnglandLeague: Premier LeagueLeague championships: 7Owner(s): Nassef Sawiris, Wes Edens, Michael AngelakisStadium: Villa Park – 42,918 seating capacity
Scottish Sun
24-04-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Premier League club announce plans to expand stadium with new stand and concert venue boosting capacity to over 50,000
A PREMIER LEAGUE club has announced plans to expand its stadium capacity to over 50,000. Aston Villa currently play at Villa Park which boasts a capacity of 42,918. 8 Aston Villa have announced plans to expand the North Stadn at Villa Park Credit: Aston Villa FC 8 The work will raise the capacity of the stand to 12,000 Credit: Aston Villa FC 8 The total capacity of Villa Park will rise to over 50,000 Credit: Aston Villa FC 8 The club have claimed there will be more space and faster service Credit: Aston Villa FC The West Midlands club are now planning on redeveloping the North Stand to boost its capacity. The club has announced plans that will refurbish and expand the number of seats in the iconic stand. The North Stand is planned to have its capacity raised from 5,000 to 12,000. This increase will see the club's total capacity rise to over 50,000, making it one of the largest in the Premier League. READ MORE ON SPORT GROUND DESIGNS Three-time English title winners to construct one of UK's biggest stadiums Plans for expansion were first announced but were postponed despite being approved by Birmingham City Council. Work is expected to be completed in 2027 ahead of Euro 2028 in which Villa Park is a host venue. The club have stated that the work will "further modernise the stadium" and will "solidify its status as a world-class sports and entertainment venue." A video shared on social media by the club claims that the stand will offer more space and faster service and a better fan experience. JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS As well as the stand being refurbished, Villa are also be opening a new club shop. Villa's executive chairman Nassef Sawiris said: "Since Wes [Edens] and I became owners of this storied club in 2018 and Atairos joined us as partners in 2024, we have shared a clear ambition: to restore Aston Villa to its rightful position competing at the highest levels of English and European football, and to transform the club into a global brand and European powerhouse. Heartwarming moment Matty Cash's reporter sister tells him she loves him after Aston Villa's PSG defeat 8 The work is expected to be completed in time for Euro 2028 Credit: Aston Villa FC 8 The North Stand currently holds just 5,000 Credit: Getty 8 Villa have played at the historic ground since 1897 Credit: Aston Villa FC 8 Nassef Sawiris [R] has insisted that the work will help the club's ability to compete Credit: Getty "Thanks to the Mayor's commitment to develop Witton Station and to improve local transport links, this project will mark an important milestone in the club's journey to becoming a world-class sports and entertainment venue. "A bigger, better North Stand will not only allow many more Villans to see their team in person, improving matchday experience, but will also dramatically improve the club's ability to invest and compete in the long term." The club has also stated that it will be able to "adapt and modernise" the North Stand without losing any seasons during the season. In December, the club also revealed it will be building the Premier League's largest beer hall. The multi-million pound renovation project, planned to launch this Christmas, will feature a centrepiece named 'The Warehouse'. It will become the largest beer hall in the Prem and access will be free to ticketed supporters on matchday.
The Sun
24-04-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Premier League club announce plans to expand stadium with new stand and concert venue boosting capacity to over 50,000
A PREMIER LEAGUE club has announced plans to expand its stadium capacity to over 50,000. Aston Villa currently play at Villa Park which boasts a capacity of 42,918. 8 8 8 8 The West Midlands club are now planning on redeveloping the North Stand to boost its capacity. The club has announced plans that will refurbish and expand the number of seats in the iconic stand. The North Stand is planned to have its capacity raised from 5,000 to 12,000. This increase will see the club's total capacity rise to over 50,000, making it one of the largest in the Premier League. Plans for expansion were first announced but were postponed despite being approved by Birmingham City Council. Work is expected to be completed in 2027 ahead of Euro 2028 in which Villa Park is a host venue. The club have stated that the work will "further modernise the stadium" and will "solidify its status as a world-class sports and entertainment venue." A video shared on social media by the club claims that the stand will offer more space and faster service and a better fan experience. JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS As well as the stand being refurbished, Villa are also be opening a new club shop. Villa's executive chairman Nassef Sawiris said: "Since Wes [Edens] and I became owners of this storied club in 2018 and Atairos joined us as partners in 2024, we have shared a clear ambition: to restore Aston Villa to its rightful position competing at the highest levels of English and European football, and to transform the club into a global brand and European powerhouse. 8 8 8 8 "Thanks to the Mayor's commitment to develop Witton Station and to improve local transport links, this project will mark an important milestone in the club's journey to becoming a world-class sports and entertainment venue. "A bigger, better North Stand will not only allow many more Villans to see their team in person, improving matchday experience, but will also dramatically improve the club's ability to invest and compete in the long term." The club has also stated that it will be able to "adapt and modernise" the North Stand without losing any seasons during the season. In December, the club also revealed it will be building the Premier League's largest beer hall. The multi-million pound renovation project, planned to launch this Christmas, will feature a centrepiece named 'The Warehouse'. It will become the largest beer hall in the Prem and access will be free to ticketed supporters on matchday.
