By Frank McAvennie

26th Aug, 2023 | 5:50pm

McAvennie drops 'huge' Aston Villa claim after what he's just seen

There is a “huge” gap between Scottish sides like Hibernian and Aston Villa.

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, former Celtic and West Ham striker Frank McAvennie said that the financial gap between the sides is the main reason for Hibs’ heavy defeat to the Villans.

The Edinburgh side were beaten 5-0 in the first leg of their Europa Conference League clash against the Premier League outfit.

The Scottish Premiership side’s annihilation has raised questions about the gap in ability between Scottish and English top flight teams.

Hibs boss Lee Johnston acknowledge the difference in financial power between the sides, claiming the sides’ budgets are “probably £180million apart”.

Fellow Scottish Premiership side Rangers know what it’s like to be heavily beaten by a club south of the border after their 7-1 defeat to Liverpool in the Champions League last year.

McAvennie suggested that the Gers and Celtic would be able to contest with teams like Aston Villa.

“The problem is that when Celtic and Rangers play the big guns and beat them nobody says anything,” he told Football Insider.

“I know there is a gulf between them and the rest of the teams in Scotland but there is also a gulf between the teams in England.

“It is like there is three divisions in the Premier League. Aston Villa are a good team, they are going to be pushing to get to Europe which is a good position to be in but Hibs spent £1.5m in the transfer market, that is where the gulf is.

“There is a huge gap there.“

In other news, Aston Villa in talks to sign two defenders after Nottingham Forest twist.