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Aston Villa Chief Executive, Keith Wyness has been suspended with immediate effect by the Championship club.

Wyness’s suspension comes as news emerged that Villa face a possible winding-up petition from HMRC over an unpaid tax bill, thought to be worth around £4m.

 

 

Chinese businessman and Villa owner and chairman, Dr Tony Xia will assume the role until further notice but warned in a statement last week that the club faced severe financial challenges.

 

“We are all aware that we will face severe FFP challenges next season,” Dr Xia said. “I am an Aston Villa fan. But I am also a businessman. Under the current circumstances, I think the club needs to rethink not only the past two years but also the past ten years.

 

“Villa needs to be a sustainable football club. People join. People leave. That is the cycle of football. But the football club always remains through it all.  This is the ultimate reality that cannot be changed, but I can assure you that everyone behind the scenes is working tirelessly towards achieving our ultimate goal.  

 

Having missed out on a return to the Premier League next season following defeat to Fulham at Wembley in the Play-off Final, Villa face their third season in the Championship.

 

Dr Xia added: “We have been heavily investing for the past two seasons. However, the loss on Saturday means that we need to change a lot of things. No one wanted to see the club have to go through this, but I believe that only changes can help the club to progress towards the positive direction and this requires the joint efforts of everyone associated with this great football club.” 

 

Image: PA Images