Dan Bardell has advised that Aston Villa and NSWE model their success and expansion after Manchester City and their ownership group.
The Villa owners’ work over the last six years has been outstanding, as they have progressed from Championship to Champions League.
They arrived when the team was in financial trouble and was just hours away from going bankrupt, with relegation a real possibility.
In terms of rippling effects, NSWE has had a significant positive impact on the club’s fortunes in recent years.
Sky Sports and talkSPORT journalist Bardell believes their job is similar to that of Manchester City and Pep Guardiola, as the owners seek to expand the club even further in the future years.
Speaking exclusively to Villa News, Bardell stated, “A lot of what Villa do, which I don’t think people realise, is based on the Manchester City model.”
“This is how they’ve progressed, by utilising young players and allowing them to play for various City Group clubs. This has developed them and caused them to increase in value, which has been beneficial to them with PSR.
“I think Villa see City as something to strive for; I’m not saying they’ll ever reach City’s level, but look at Pep Guardiola; he’s been there for a long time, and I believe Villa want that with Emery.”
“Based on the club’s infrastructure and behind-the-scenes operations, I believe Villa aspires to be similar to City. They are a fantastic club that has done things the proper way.
“Yes, they spent money, but they are the most engaged behind the scenes. I believe City are an example to which Villa may strive, and I believe that much of what Villa does is on attempting to emulate that City model.”
How has Aston Villa expanded under NSWE?
Villa had just lost the Play-Off final to Fulham 1-0, thanks to a Tom Cairney strike, and things were about to go far worse under Dr Tony Xia.
He had made numerous financial risks that did not pay off, relying solely on promotion to the Premier League, which was not realised.
NSWE took over from him, bringing some stability while also securing their own promotion through the Playoffs.
They have put their money where their mouth is by funding the development of a new squad year after year, which has improved with each season.
It appeared to be going down the drain under Steven Gerrard, but they pulled off a masterstroke by bringing in Unai Emery.
Aston Villa’s manager, Unai Emery
The Villans are now playing in the Champions League under the Spaniard, and NSWE deserves a lot of credit for that.
Although Emery has achieved it through his management, the owners saved the team during its Championship days.
In other Aston Villa news, a new signing is expected in the next weeks, with Lucas Digne’s departure likely owing to FFP.
