Every club in V Sports network as Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens target new Aston Villa partnership
Aston Villa co-owners Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens are reportedly interested in investing in a new Canberra franchise that could enter the A-League in Australia
by Jake Bayliss, https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/authors/jake-bayliss/ · Birmingham LiveThe holding company that owns Aston Villa, V Sports, is reportedly looking to expand its portfolio of football clubs.
A report from FTBL has claimed that V Sports, owned by Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens, holds an interest in partially funding a Canberra franchise to enter the A-League next season. It is said that V Sports is looking for a partner ahead of a joint venture, while discussions are already underway with Australian Football Leagues.
It would not be the first time that Villa’s owners have aimed to start a new franchise, having previously trademarked Las Vegas Villains in the hope of owning an MLS team. Villa spent time in Australia during their pre-season tour in 2022.
Here is a look at which clubs are currently part of the V Sports network:
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Aston Villa
V Sports was originally founded as NSWE by Sawiris and Edens ahead of purchasing a 55% stake in Vlla, back in 2018. A full takeover was completed upon the club’s promotion to the Premier League in 2019, with a rebrand of NSWE coming two years later.
The ownership has helped oversee Villa’s rise from Championship play-off success and battling for Premier League survival to establishing the club as a contender for the Champions League spots.
V Sports also owns Aston Villa Women, who earned promotion to the WSL in 2020 and managed an impressive 5th-place finish last season.
Vitoria SC
The purchase of a 46% stake in the Portuguese club, who are currently 5th in Primeira Liga, marked a significant step in expanding V Sports’ plans. The deal was initially agreed in February 2023 but was reduced to a 29% stake in June of the same year to comply with UEFA regulations after both Vitoria and Villa reached the Europa Conference League qualifying rounds.
Upon reaching the initial agreement in February 2023, Sawiris said: “Discussions, which have been ongoing for almost two years, have progressed thanks to the positive steps taken by the new management team led by Antonio Miguel Cardoso whose energy and vision has been a crucial component in reaching this agreement.”
ZED FC
A formal partnership between V Sports and the Egyptian club was formally announced in April 2023. An initial agreement to help develop youth players had been made with Villa, back in 2021. ZED FC, who were promoted to the Egyptian Premier League last season, are owned by Naguib Sawiris and his son Onsi, the nephew of Villa co-owner Nassef Sawiris.
Speaking in April 2023, Nassef Sawiris said: “I am very proud to be part of the announcement for the three-way collaboration between ZED’s Academy, Vitória Sport Clube and Aston Villa.
“This three-way partnership should benefit all three parties and create a clear roadmap for talented young Egyptian players to integrate into the global sports system.”
It was not the first time that V Sports had been involved in African football, having opened youth academies in Senegal in 2022.
Vissel Kobe
Described as a “collaborative partnership”, Villa announced an agreement had been reached with the Japanese club in October 2023. It was explained that Vissel Kobe would join V Sports’ network of clubs and help share ideas, techniques and best practices, as well as enhance youth development. Vissel Kobe won the J1 League during the 2023 season.
Shortly after the announcement, Vissel Kobe’s U16 players trained at Bodymoor Heath, while Villa’s academy will take part in an international tournament held in Japan this year.
Real Union
The Spanish club is another of V Sports’ portfolio that contains a family connection. A founder member of La Liga and three-time Copa del Rey winner, Unai Emery holds a controlling stake in the club, while his brother Igor is the club president. Both the Villa boss’ father and grandfather also played for the Basque side.
A collaborative partnership between Real Union and V Sports was announced in October 2023. Former Villa U21 coach Inigo Idiakez was appointed Real Union’s head coach in December that year and academy prospects Tommi O’Reilly and Josh Feeney subsequently sealed loan moves to the Spanish third-tier tier side until the end of the season.