By Kieran Maguire

26th Oct, 2023 | 7:00am

Kieran Maguire: 'Excellent' new Aston Villa deal will close gap to top six

The partnership deal between Aston Villa and Vissel Kobe will help them close the gap to the Premier League’s ‘Big Six’.

That is the view of finance expert Kieran Maguire, who exclusively told Football Insider that the timing of the deal is ‘excellent’ for Aston Villa.

The Birmingham-based side announced on Thursday (19 October) that they have entered a strategic partnership with Japanese side Vissel Kobe.

As part of the agreement, both clubs will exchange technical knowledge and coaching methodology as well as scouting & recruitment, data analysis and overall squad management techniques.

Two youth players from Vissel Kobe are also set to train with Villa’s academy as part of the partnership deal.

Maguire believes the deal will help Villa close the gap to the elite Premier League clubs in the ‘Big Six’.

“I think this Vissel Kobe partnership is excellent timing for Aston Villa,” Maguire told Football Insider’s Sean Fisher.

“They have ambitious owners.

“They want eventually to be in a position where they can challenge the ‘Big Six’ in terms of qualifying in the Champions League places.

“Therefore in order for them to be able to do that, they need to be able to increase income streams.

“Having a good tie-up with a senior Asian market such as Japan makes logical sense.

“Combining that with the expansion of Villa Park it makes even more sense.

“Football is leaning more towards prawn sandwiches, which as a fan you loathe. but as a financier you understand.“

In other news, Leon Bailey to be offered new Aston Villa deal on one condition