Aston Villa are set for crunch talks with the Football League next week, as the governing body look to seek clarification over the club’s financial plans.  

Defeat in the play-off final last month denied Villa promotion back to the Premier League, and has subsequently thrust the Sky Bet Championship club into financial turmoil, with fears growing over the club’s finances.

According to a report in the Telegraph, Shaun Harvey, the EFL’s Chief Executive, has scheduled a meeting with Villa’s senior officials to discuss the club’s plans.

Dr Tony Xia is facing a cash-flow problem, which meant a tax bill was paid late last month, adding to huge Financial Fair Play pressure that is already stacked up against the club, after they failed to win promotion.

The same Telegraph report claims that Villa are looking to slash their wage bill to £30m, with the club already meeting to discuss their summer strategy after a difficult couple of weeks.

A side story has also developed, with Villa moving to confirm the departure of Keith Wyness yesterday.

Wyness, the club’s former Chief Executive, plans to sue the Championship club over his dismissal.

The Verdict    

These are worrying times for Aston Villa, and it is little surprise to hear that the EFL want to hold discussions over where the club are heading.

There have been serious worries that Villa could be heading into administration, and Harvey, alongside his colleagues at the EFL, will want a detailed update from Tony Xia.

It has been a disastrous couple of weeks for Xia and Villa, who will be hoping that a meeting with the Football League can help them make some progress off the field.

Aston Villa fans… Let us know your thoughts!