Aston Villa Will Be Forced To Sell Their 28-Year-Old Midfielder Due To PSR Regulations: Is It The Best Move? | OneFootball

Aston Villa have to make financial adjustments because of how strict the Profitability and Sustainability Rules can be. Their growing ambitions under Unai Emery have brought success but also rising expenses. The club must follow financial limits strictly.

In recent weeks, talk around Emiliano Buendia’s future has grown louder. According to Football Insider, journalist Pete O’Rourke reported that Villa are weighing up their options for the Argentine midfielder as they try to manage new PSR concerns.

Aston Villa face a crucial call on Emiliano Buendia amid tightening PSR pressure

Buendia missed most of the 2023–24 season with a serious knee injury. He has struggled to find rhythm since returning. The report reveals that Villa plan to keep him, especially since they cannot easily replace him under current restrictions. O’Rourke said on the Inside Track podcast that several clubs are tracking Buendia’s situation.

They want to strike a deal if Villa decide to sell. He added that Emery still values Buendia’s creativity and believes he will play an important part this season. Yet, Villa continue to face financial pressure. The club has already sold players such as Jacob Ramsey to balance the books.

They now face fresh scrutiny over their spending. Meanwhile, other reports claimed that Aston Villa warned that they could lose Emiliano Martinez in January, adding more uncertainty around the squad’s stability. On top of that, reports revealed that Aston Villa want to sign Kang In Lee, which would again stretch their budget and change their squad planning. These overlapping issues force Emery to make difficult choices before the next transfer window.

ROTTERDAM, NETHERLANDS – OCTOBER 02: Emiliano Buendía of Aston Villa in action during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 League Phase MD2 match between Feyenoord and Aston Villa FC at De Kuip on October 02, 2025 in Rotterdam, Netherlands. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)

“Look, I’m sure there’ll be other clubs who’ll be looking at Buendia’s situation as well, hoping that they might be able to capitalise on his contract situation.

“Villa need…Buendia. Obviously, we know they’ve had issues with PSR and FFP as well, so they won’t really want to weaken the squad because maybe they’re not able to bring in any replacements.

“So, I can see Buendia continue to get plenty of game time at Villa for the rest of the season, and I feel that Unai Emery feels he’s got a role to play as well.”

Selling Buendia: financial relief or footballing setback?

From a financial angle, Villa might see selling Buendia as a practical step to meet PSR requirements. His market value, though injury-hit, still gives the club a fair return. That sale could help Villa meet UEFA and Premier League thresholds.

The Swiss Ramble explained that clubs generate “pure profit” mainly through player sales. This method helps clubs that lack major commercial income. Yet, every financial decision affects the football side directly. Losing Buendia would cut the creative spark in Emery’s midfield. The 28-year-old’s absence could hurt Villa during long campaigns in Europe and domestic competitions.

The Argentine midfielder showed inconsistency during his loan spell at Bayer Leverkusen last season, but he still displayed his ability to change games when fit. Villa’s recent history shows that they have managed PSR pressure through calculated sales and steady owner support.

However, if they sell another key player, they could disrupt the team’s balance just as Emery works to build stability. The club must balance financial control with strong on-field performance. For now, Villa remain cautious. They know every decision will shape both their finances and their football ambitions.