Aston Villa could have lost ten points in the Premier League. Only one transfer saved the club

It's no secret that the Premier League's stability and sustainability rules are among the strictest in Europe, and clubs lose points for breaking them. If last season the most severe punishment was the removal of eight points from Everton, then Aston Villa could have been left without ten points. But Unai Emery's team managed to save themselves from punishment.

This was recognised by the Birmingham-based club's director of football operations, Damian Vidagani, who said the transfer of Douglas Luiz to Juventus had helped:

‘We were in a situation where we needed to make a significant profit so we didn't breach the PSR. We needed to defuse a bomb of deductions and we cut the cable. We solved the problem at the last minute.

From 20 May to 30 June is usually a holiday for everyone in football, but it was a very difficult time for us. It is not just about selling players who will bring you profit. At the same time you have to sell players that Unai Emery didn't think were key,’ Vidagani told the Daily Mail.

Aston Villa considered Luiz to be the key player and the deal for him was finalised just hours before the end of the financial year, the time when transfers are included in financial fair play.