Aston Villa owner Nassef Sawiris has revealed his club’s decision to stand with Manchester City in their ongoing battle against the Premier League’s sponsorship rules.

The dispute centers around the Premier League’s regulations on associated party transactions (APTs) – commercial deals with parties linked to club owners.

Earlier this year, a tribunal ruled that sections of these rules were unlawful, particularly regarding the exclusion of shareholder loans from the league’s fair market value (FMV) test.

Following the tribunal’s verdict, the Premier League assured clubs that amendments could be made “quickly and effectively.

However, Manchester City has challenged this claim, accusing Premier League chief executive Richard Masters of attempting to mislead clubs in his communication.

Now, Aston Villa has waded into the fray, writing to all top-flight clubs to “strongly recommend” that the proposed vote on potential rule changes be postponed. Sawiris explained the rationale behind Villa’s decision, stating:

In our view, a vote in 90 days on amended terms taking into consideration the Tribunal’s findings will have a significantly greater chance of securing the unanimous support of all 20 Premier League clubs.”

The Villa owner further emphasized the importance of presenting a “united front” to the upcoming Independent Football Regulator, set to be introduced by the government.

Sawiris believes that delaying the vote until after the regulator’s arrival will result in a “more satisfactory outcome” for all clubs.

Manchester City has also called for a delay in the vote, claiming the Premier League’s proposed changes remain “unlawful” and hinting at the prospect of further legal action.

Despite the protests from City and Villa, the Premier League is reportedly determined to proceed with the vote on Friday, declining to comment on the ongoing dispute.

This development adds another layer of complexity to the Premier League’s ongoing efforts to address the contentious issue of sponsorship rules and associated party transactions.

As the vote looms, the unity of the league’s clubs remains a central concern, with Aston Villa and Manchester City seemingly aligning to challenge the league’s proposed changes.