Aston Villa star John McGinn launches scathing attack on 'unfair' Premier League rules

John McGinn has criticised the Premier League's spending rules, arguing that they are hindering Aston Villa and giving the 'big six' an unfair advantage.

This summer, the club's owners, V Sports, have been unable to splash out to strengthen Unai Emery's squad in a bid to secure another Champions League finish. Villa have two routes to UEFA's elite club competition next season: through their league position and the Europa League, which they qualified for after finishing sixth last term.

Villa have only brought in two players this summer - one of whom could be loaned out: Zepiqueno Redmond, who joined on a free transfer at the start of last month. Goalkeeper Marco Bizot has been the only other addition, coming from Stade Brest to replace Robin Olsen.

As a result of being in Europe, Villa must also comply with UEFA's squad cost rules this summer, which restrict spending on wages relative to a club's revenue.

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Villa narrowly missed out on a return to the Champions League on the final day of last season after a 2-0 defeat to Manchester United, but the result was tainted by a mistake from referee Thomas Bramall.

He blew his whistle when Morgan Rogers won the ball from Altay Bayindir before putting it in the back of the net, meaning VAR couldn't overturn the decision.

At that point in the match, Villa were already in the top five because Newcastle were losing to Everton, so even a draw would have been enough to cross the line.

"There will be a tinge of jealousy watching the Champions League this year, but our aim is to go as far as we possibly can in the Europa League, try to get back into the Champions League, which helps the club not only for next season and for many years moving forward," McGinn told Birmingham Live exclusively.

"We have seen the impact it has now. I don't know any details about that, but you don't have to be clever to realise that if you want to compete with the big boys, there are rules which are pretty much unfair if you ask me.

"We have got owners who want to invest in the team and want to spend to kick the club on, but they are not allowed to do it. It's tough to see. The rules are similar for a lot of the clubs."

Despite his dislike of the rules, McGinn feels they could unite Villa this season. "I think it [being at a disadvantage] unites everyone, the manager and the players," he said.

"It's the same for every supporter that they want a new toy. When you've not got them in the summer, you think, 'oh, where are they'. But then you realise that we are actually alright here.

"We just signed Bouba [Kamara] on a new long-term contract, and he is one of the best midfielders in Europe. We have held onto some big players. It's not all doom and gloom. We are positive going into the new season and make it a special one.

"Ever since the manager has come in, we have achieved something which we haven't done before. He is as motivated as us to do the same."

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