Villa's Jacob Ramsey Sale: A Case Study in PSR Problems

Each year, we see that the power balance of the Premier League is becoming increasingly skewed. Newly-promoted teams seldom have the financial resources to compete, and those who do have the economic resources are punished for using them.

It was not long ago that Aston Villa were a relegation-threatened side, and now they are becoming a consistent presence in the Premier League's European places, but this success has come at a price.

The recent sale of one of their own in Jacob Ramsey to competitive rivals Newcastle is a stark reminder of what the "other" clubs must do to compete in the PSR era.

Welcome to Newcastle, Jacob! 😍

We have completed the signing of attacking midfielder Jacob Ramsey from Aston Villa for an undisclosed fee. pic.twitter.com/mtoi2lrZwv

— Newcastle United (@NUFC) August 17, 2025

Ramsey's Move and Villa's Financial Issues

From a Newcastle perspective this is a great move. Ramsey adds further quality to an already impressive midfield, as well as the versatility that he can bring to Tyneside. Having contended their own PSR issues, Newcastle are now in a position to spend more freely, with their expenditure exceeding £100 million this summer, much to the envy of Aston Villa.

Unai Emery's side are very much in the eye of a financial storm at present. Ramsey's departure was not a decision that was willingly taken, it is one that Villa had to make. The investment that propelled Villa from the depths of the league to the glitz and glamour of European football means they are the latest victim of the PSR rulings.

The higher-ups at Villa Park knew this was coming, and made it very clear that steadying the financial ship was at the top of this summer's priority list, not incomings.

Extremely disappointing losing Jacob Ramsey to Newcastle. A Villa boy. We don’t know the full circumstances, but we do know the PSR system is totally bias & corrupt.

Anyway, here’s JJ in the away end at Blues celebrating a Villa win in 2019.

Up the Villa 💜 #avfc pic.twitter.com/SOPV24gDFu

— Jay White (@jaywhite_1) August 17, 2025

There is an expectation on Unai Emery to continue working his magic to avoid regression. But even he has voiced his frustration at the situation, in his recent programme notes he said:

We cannot avoid that the summer has been challenging because the financial rules were conditioning our investment in the squad. Financial control rules came to football to avoid bankruptcies and payment defaults with a good purpose. But as professionals we should review it, as this good tool will become a limitation for clubs that are doing good management, who’ll never be allowed to dream and get higher goals because the revenue, key for these financial rules, needs time to come to reality after sporting success.

McGinn and Mings Speak Out

In typical modern football style Ramsey's ex-teammates have taken to social media to say their goodbyes and well-wishes, but people have been quick to note that there is an underlying sense of displeasure within these posts.

These comments from Tyrone Mings and John McGinn regarding Jacob Ramsey’s move to Newcastle from Aston Villa are remarkably pointed. You very rarely see players actively coming out and alluding to behind the scenes stuff like this on social media. pic.twitter.com/e042VZog8U

— HLTCO (@HLTCO) August 18, 2025

These are posts from arguably the clubs two most influential players, so phrases like "you don't know the half" and it "seems to be the way football is set up these days," suggest that the discontent has spread to the players.

Players like Ramsey who have been raised at the club and in his case, lifelong fans, are now referred to as "pure profit" which, although it is a factual statement, points to the ugly, finance-centric direction that the game is headed.

Newcastle and Villa: United In Frustration

It was only 12 months ago that Newcastle were in a near identical situation to Villa, except now they are the beneficiaries.

Newcastle were forced to sell one of their best performing academy graduates, Elliot Anderson, to Nottingham Forest, again for "pure profit." From the outside it seemed that neither the player nor the club wanted the deal to happen, but the PSR rulings meant their hands were tied.

It opens up the question, how can sides like Newcastle, Villa or Forest consistently compete with the biggest clubs while adhering to rules that evidently favour those with the biggest revenues?

We’ve lost Elliot Anderson and Villa have lost Jacob Ramsey … two local lads who came through the ranks to play for the clubs they supported as boys. Both ‘pure profit’ in PSR terms. What a ludicrous situation created to consolidate the position of the cartel. https://t.co/JjAEbazyjk

— Michael Martin (@TFMick1892) August 18, 2025