Aston Villa receive 'scarily high' message as transfer business questioned

Stan Collymore has raised concerns about Aston Villa's transfer business despite budget constraints and has called on supporters to lower their hopes for the campaign. Villa face Sunderland this afternoon as they hunt for their maiden victory of the season, having drawn a blank in their opening four league fixtures.

"This season is going to be a season of consolidation," former Villa striker Collymore told 10bet Casino. "I think that if their 15 senior players are fit, firing and motivated, then there is no reason why they can't qualify for European football again next season.

"However, if I were a fan now, I'd be tempering my expectations, hoping that we just get into the top half of the table and see where we can build from that. I don't think there needs to be too much concern about dropping right down the table because there are so many other sides who are worse than Villa."

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Villa's restricted ability to splash the cash on squad reinforcements following the heartbreak of narrowly missing Champions League qualification on the final day of last season has contributed to their sluggish beginning.

Collymore, though, refuses to accept that UEFA and Premier League spending rules can serve as the only justification for Villa's disappointing early showings. "From my perspective, I don't think they've particularly strengthened very well," he continued.

"They've obviously got PSR compliance issues. They had to sell the women's team. They sold Jacob Ramsey to Newcastle, and this is on the back of selling Jhon Duran, Douglas Luiz, and the rest.

"Most of the team that played at Everton on Saturday were Dean Smith signings. There was one, maybe two Unai Emery signings. For me, that just highlights how well Unai Emery has done at the club since he walked through the door. He's turned players like Tyrone Mings and John McGinn into players that can perform well in the Champions League.

"Villa obviously did very well in the Champions League last season. They certainly punched above their weight. It's going to be difficult because they've lost decent players - because you have to be PSR compliant and UEFA compliant - and then they haven't been able to replace those players that have left the club with individuals of the same quality. When that happens, you're going to flatline.

"I look at players like Donyell Malen, Ian Maatsen, and the reality is they haven't done it yet for Villa. They were big-money signings on big wages. When fans say PSR is to blame for Villa's predicament, I'd point out that Villa made the choice to bring in players that brought wages up to 93% of the club's turnover - and that's scarily high."

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