Aston Villa reach settlement with former CEO Keith Wyness

Wyness launched the action following his departure in June, 2018 at the height of the club’s financial crisis.

The final hearing had been due to begin on Monday at Birmingham Civil Justice Centre but in a statement last night the club announced it had reached a settlement with Wyness.

The statement read: “Aston Villa confirm that it has agreed an out of court settlement with former CEO, Mr Keith Wyness, who had brought a claim against the club, and its former owner Dr Tony Xia, following his departure in June 2018.

“The current directors of the club, none of whom were at the club at the time of this dispute, accept Mr Wyness’ assertion that during this period he was seeking to act in the best interests of the club. We wish him well for the future.”

Wyness was suspended by Xia at the same time it emerged Villa were facing a winding-up order due to an unpaid tax bill.

Central to Wyness’ claim was his seeking legal advice and making a series of “protected disclosures” when the scale of the financial crisis became apparent.

Villa were eventually saved from administration by the arrival of billionaire investors Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens.

Xia, who had employed Wyness as CEO following his takeover in summer 2016, initially stayed on as a minority shareholder until his association with the club ended entirely in August.

Last night's settlement with Wyness now brings to a close any lingering link with the Xia era.