Now Aston Villa are ready to sue the Premier League! Owner reveals club are considering legal action over PSR rules – just 24 hours after Man City’s case against top-flight began

Aston Villa rocked English top flight football on Tuesday by revealing they are considering legal action against the Premier League – just a week after Manchester City announced they were suing the competition.

In a development that will send more shockwaves through a league already reeling from City’s stunning move, Villa’s billionaire co-owner Nassef Sawiris blasted ‘anti-competitive’ spending rules he believes are blocking his club’s progress.

Sawiris, Egypt’s richest man, told the Financial Times he has contemplated launching an official complaint through legal channels. 

He said: ‘Some of the rules have actually resulted in cementing the status quo more than creating upward mobility and fluidity in the sport. The rules do not make sense and are not good for football.

‘Managing a sports team has become more like being a treasurer or a bean counter rather than looking at what your team needs. 

Villa are having to sell players this month to comply with PSR rules, with Douglas Luiz one player who could depart despite the Brazilian midfielder being a key player in their team

Villa are in advanced talks with Juventus over a deal for Luiz worth £16.9m cash, which would include unwanted players Weston McKennie (left) and Samuel Iling (right) moving to Villa Park

‘It’s more about creating paper profits, not real profits. It becomes a financial game, not a sporting game.’ He added that PSR rules were ‘opaque and… seemingly arbitrary.’

Last week outraged City bosses filed a 165-page legal document claiming they are the victims of ‘discrimination’ and that regulations approved by rivals they feel are aimed at curtailing their success are the ‘tyranny of the majority’. 

A two-week private hearing was due to begin this week…