Aston Villa Reduce Financial Losses

English Premier League team, Aston Villa have announced a reduced loss of £17.7million for the year ending May 31, 2012.

This compares with a deficit of £53.9m for the previous 12 months despite a fall in turnover of £11.6m.

Villa have attributed this reduction in turnover to a 16th-placed finish in the Premier League, fewer live TV matches, lower crowds – the average league attendance fell from 37,220 in 2010-11 to 33,873 – and early exits from both domestic cup competitions.

Operating expenses were reduced by £20.3m to £138.4m and player trading resulted in increased profit by £8.1m from £18.8m to £26.9m, with Ashley Young and Stewart Downing both sold during this period for a combined figure of around £35m.

Villa’s chief financial officer Robin Russell said: “By managing costs effectively, the club managed to cut losses by more than half during a period which continued to be challenging economically both globally and especially in the west midlands.

“In this respect, despite a disappointingly low performance level on the pitch in the 2011-12 season, these financial results represent a further step towards the club’s objective of long-term sustainability.”

Russell continued: “Having appointed Paul Lambert as manager in June 2012, he is building a youthful, progressive first-team squad and we continue to offer our season ticket holders and supporters in general some of the cheapest ticket prices in the Premier League.

“Our objectives remain to compete strongly on the pitch and to achieve sustainability as well as compliance with both UEFA’s and the Premier League’s Financial Fair Play requirements.”