Gibson takes aim at Aston Villa’s financial dealings and demands EFL take action

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Middlesbrough chairman Steve Gibson has hit out at the financial affairs of three Championship clubs, according to the Daily Telegraph.

Gibson has reportedly aimed his ire at Aston Villa, Sheffield Wednesday and Derby County for their spending and the way he feels they have attempted to get around the EFL’s sustainability and profitability rules.

He is quoted as being ‘furious’ in the report at the way Villa have ‘manipulated the rules’ around spending, while his Boro side have offloaded players such as Patrick Bamford and Ben Gibson to balance the books and fund their assault on promotion.

The report outlines that Derby are under something of a mini transfer embargo, while Wednesday fear one may be slapped on.

But Villa, unlike their city rivals Birmingham, have not had any censure, despite genuine concerns around the club after failing to earn promotion last season having spent lavishly on experienced, high-earning players.

Few expected them to keep Jack Grealish – but they did – or make new signings for money – but they did, convincing John McGinn to join from Hibernian.

Gibson apparently wants the EFL to take the matter further and will raise the issue at forthcoming meetings, but Villa and their fans may not care if this campaign ends in promotion back to the top flight.