Aston Villa announce 25 per cent wage deferrals for players, first-team coaches and senior management

In a statement released on Saturday, chief executive Christian Purslow explained how the deferrals - coupled with the continued investment of billionaire owners Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens - would help protect the livelihoods of non-playing staff and their families during the pandemic.

Purslow confirmed both full and part-time non-playing staff would be retained in full for the duration of the shutdown and none will be furloughed.

The wage deferrals will be for initial period of four months, with a further review taking place at the end of the period.

Purslow said: "During the two seasons since Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens rescued Aston Villa they have supported and funded the rebuilding of the club with a huge level of personal financial investment.

"They are continuing to provide substantial funding which, combined with these significant salary deferrals, enables Aston Villa to confirm that all non-football staff - full and part time - will be retained and paid in full throughout the lockdown. There will be no furloughing of staff."

The chief executive said the club were committed to serving its local community through the Aston Villa Foundation.

It was announced on Friday that Villa had joined forces with a West Midlands NHS Trust to deliver maternity care at Villa Park.

Purslow also called on the Premier League to take action on finances collectively in order to help those clubs further down the football pyramid.

He said: "Our players and staff feel great solidarity with the many clubs in the football pyramid who have financial problems.

"We believe it is right and proper that the Premier League as a whole takes action on its finances collectively to enable it to be able to continue to provide vital funding throughout the game in England."