Aston Villa posts 99.2 million pounds loss due to COVID-19 impact

Aston Villa had spent 155.9 million pounds in new recruits after it was promoted in 2019 in a bid to stay in the top flight beyond the 2019-20 season.

"Although turnover for the year was 112.6 million pounds, the unexpected cost of the pandemic contributed to a total loss of 99.2 million," Aston Villa said in a statement.

Aston Villa suffered losses of 99.2 million pounds ($136.23 million) in the 2019-20 season as the COVID-19 pandemic hit their finances, the Premier League club said on Friday.

The club spent 155.9 million pounds in new recruits after it was promoted in 2019 in a bid to stay in the top flight beyond the 2019-20 season and the club finished 17th on the final day to survive.

Every club's matchday income has taken a hit with games being held behind closed doors. A return of fans in small numbers this season has been planned only for the League Cup final and FA Cup.

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"Although turnover for the year was 112.6 million pounds, substantially up from 54.3 million pounds in the previous year, the unexpected cost of the pandemic contributed to a total loss of 99.2 million compared to 68.9 million pounds in 2018-19," the club said in a statement.

"Thanks to the unwavering support of our owners, the operating loss and all capital investment has been funded by shareholder equity. Aston Villa remains debt free."

Other clubs who announced losses include Manchester City (126 million pounds) and Arsenal (47.8 million pounds) but Chelsea recorded a profit of 32.5 million pounds in the last financial year.