Unai Emery: Many other clubs have inflated budgets

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery has hinted that other clubs are also failing to comply with Financial Fair Play rules, speaking in light of the recent developments surrounding Manchester City.

"This is a known issue. Due to the restrictions, we have to sell players to comply with Financial Fair Play, and we have to think carefully about how we bring in new signings. The purpose of Financial Fair Play is financial balance—to spend only what you generate and prevent inflation. Yes, many other clubs have inflated budgets, and now it is coming to light. A downturn is only natural. That is something for the courts and authorities to decide. I feel for [Man City] because of the way that team played. Under Guardiola, there were spells when they were truly unmatched," Emery said.

The Spaniard spoke to Diario de Sevilla while in his homeland with his squad. Aston Villa are currently holding a three-day training camp in Marbella and are scheduled to play a friendly against Emery's former club, Sevilla, today.

Villa owners Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens are billionaires, but the club cannot match the spending power of Liverpool and Manchester United as they do not generate equivalent revenue and are striving to stay within FFP regulations.