Exclusive: Aston Villa ready to back Man City after new twist

Aston Villa are likely to be one of the clubs supporting Manchester City in their associated party transactions (APT) battle against the Premier League, sources have told Football Insider.

Man City took legal action against the governing body regarding the APT rules currently in place at an arbitration hearing in June.

Both sides have claimed a victory in the case after the arbitration panel’s decision was published on 7 October, where two aspects of the rules were deemed to be unlawful.

Everton, Chelsea and Newcastle United acted as witnesses for Man City in the case, while Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal, Tottenham, Brighton and West Ham provided evidence for the Premier League.

Football Insider revealed on 16 October more clubs were expected to back Man City at the next Premier League meeting, which took place on Tuesday after it was initially postponed last week.

Sources have told Football Insider Villa are likely to be one of those teams as they would be in favour of making the APT rules less extreme.

There are believed to be “very significant splits” around the table, with those on either side of the dispute holding vastly different views on the best way to move forward.

Aston Villa owner Nassef Sawiris has questioned financial rules

Following Tuesday’s meeting of the 20 member clubs, the Premier League will now update its proposals around rules governing commercial deals.

Sources have told Football Insider any potential votes over changes to the APT rules could be much closer following the panel’s verdict, with new proposals requiring a two-thirds majority to get the green light.

Although Villa have publicly kept their cards close to their chest around the APT regulations, owner Nassef Sawiris has previously been outspoken about the profit and sustainability rules (PSR).

In an interview with the Financial Times in June, the Abu Dhabi-based billionaire called for an overhaul of the Premier League’s rulebook on spending and branded the PSR rules “anti-competitive”.

Villa proposed the allowable losses limit should be increased from £105million to £135million for this season, but the top-flight clubs voted against that suggestion in June.

Any changes to the APT rules could potentially allow Sawiris to agree more lucrative sponsorship deals and ease the West Midlands giants’ financial restrictions after they were close to the PSR limit last season.

Villa were forced to sell star midfielder Douglas Luiz to Juventus in June to avoid a potential spending breach, but that hasn’t hampered Unai Emery’s side’s progress this season.

They currently sit fourth in the Premier League and top the Champions League table following three straight wins in Europe.

In other news, Aston Villa plotting ambitious defender swoop.

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