By Dr Dan Plumley

4th Jan, 2022 | 4:00pm

Finance guru: Sawiris has used 'personal connections' to strike Aston Villa deal after Africa news

Nassef Sawiris was smart to use his personal connections to engineer an Aston Villa deal with Egyptian club ZED.

That is the view of finance expert Doctor Dan Plumley, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about Villa’s new tie-in with the northeast African club.

As relayed by Birmingham Live last Thursday (30 December), Villa have reached a wide-ranging agreement with ZED.

ZED have one of the continent’s best youth systems and the plan is for them to exchange players with Villa as well as offer insights into development.

The club is owned by the Onsi Sawiris, the nephew of Villa co-owner Nassef.

Plumley highlighted how a sister club will help Villa in terms of recruitment and networking in a far-flung corner of the world.

“With the acute short-term pressure, these relationships give you another option,” the Sheffield Hallan University expert told Football Insider‘s Adam Williams.

“It ticks a box in terms of long-term development of players. You can send players there and possibly recruit there as well

“Front and centre of this is that personal link between the owners. Those networks and contacts are always a huge help.

“It is beneficial for both parties strategically to develop in that part of the world. You’re always looking for the personal connection.”

Sawiris has been formally involved with Villa since his joint takeover with business partner Wes Edens in 2015.

Villa are currently 13th in the Premier League and play Man United in their next match in the FA Cup next Monday (10 January).

In other news, pundit ‘wowed’ by Arsenal January plan as swoop for Aston Villa ‘complete player’ Douglas Luiz reported