Aston Villa could be hit with a massive wage bill if the club are promoted to the Premier League.

According to a report from the Sunday Mirror, the Villans are set to see huge increases in wages for several players who have not even been on the books this season, including the likes of Ross McCormack, Scott Hogan, and Gary Gardner.

Indeed, flop striker McCormack is the one set to profit most, with the report revealing he could see his wages rocket to a massive £70k a week despite being outcast from Villa Park and struggling to have any impact following his big money move from Fulham a few seasons back.

[ad_pod ]

The repurcissions in wages - thought to be around £4m - are all part of the failed regime under former owner Tony Xia, who bankrolled a mass spending spree on big fees and contracts before seeing his plans unravel before his very eyes.

Other players such as Henri Lansbury and James Bree remain with the club but are only playing bit parts, while striker Hogan will no doubt be hoping to seal a permanent move away from the club after winning promotion to the Premier League with Sheffield United.

The Verdict

Nothing sur[rises me in football any more and this is just another example of poor ownership costing the club once again.

Of course, £4m is nothing if you go to the Premier League, but it's still there, and it still leaves five or six players on big contracts who the club might struggle to offload.

All are saleable assets, but if they do get their big wage increases, how can you expect them to move on for less money? What a mess.