Tyrone Mings and John McGinn speak out on Aston Villa selling Jacob Ramsey as two subtle digs made
Aston Villa’s decision to part ways with homegrown star Jacob Ramsey has sparked frustration within the squad, particularly from senior players Tyrone Mings and John McGinn. Both men voiced their discontent following confirmation that the midfielder had sealed a big-money move to Newcastle United.
The Magpies completed Ramsey’s signing on Sunday in a deal believed to be worth in excess of £40 million. For Villa, the transfer was more about necessity than choice. The club, who were fined £9.5 million by UEFA in July for breaching financial regulations last season, were left with little room to manoeuvre under the strict Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR). With pressure mounting to balance the books, selling Ramsey—a player developed entirely through their academy—provided what accountants call “pure profit.”
The 24-year-old’s exit therefore became one of the quickest ways for Villa to ease their PSR concerns. Earlier this summer, the club had already been forced to restructure operations, including selling their women’s team to parent company V Sports, to help meet financial requirements.
Yet, while the decision might make sense on paper, it has left a bitter taste in the mouths of Villa’s dressing room leaders. Mings, never shy to speak his mind, posted a cryptic message online shortly after the transfer was announced, writing: “You don’t know the half,” hinting that supporters and outsiders might not be aware of the full story behind Ramsey’s sale.
Club captain John McGinn took a more reflective approach but was equally saddened by the loss. In a heartfelt tribute to his departing teammate, he praised Ramsey as the model academy graduate, describing him as “humble, respectful and willing to learn.” McGinn added:
“It’s been a privilege to share the dressing room with you and to enjoy so many special moments on the pitch together. Today is a sad day, losing not only a top player but also one of our own. Unfortunately, it seems this is just the way football is set up these days. All the best, JJ.”
Ramsey’s transfer underlines the increasing tension between financial regulations and the ambitions of clubs seeking to compete at the top level. Villa’s manager, Unai Emery, however, has struck a composed tone throughout the saga. Speaking in his pre-match press conference before the goalless draw with Newcastle, he insisted he holds no resentment towards the financial constraints imposed on his squad.
“I am not frustrated,” Emery said. “I accept the rules, I accept where we are and how we are competing, and I accept our capacity to compete. We must be proud of what we have achieved so far, and we need to repeat it again and again. For me, this is motivation and excitement, not frustration.”
For now, Villa fans must come to terms with the departure of a player many viewed as a future cornerstone of the team. Ramsey, meanwhile, begins a new chapter in black and white, as Newcastle continue their push to cement themselves among the Premier League’s elite.