Aston Villa and chief operating officer Ben Hatton part ways
According to News.
Why this matters
Ben Hatton's departure from Aston Villa marks a significant change in the club's management structure. Under Hatton's leadership, the club managed to consolidate its presence in the Premier League and secure qualification for the Champions League, a historic feat. His experience at elite clubs such as Manchester United and AS Roma has brought a new perspective to Villa's operations, making his departure a turning point for the organization.
Main conclusions
- Aston Villa and chief operating officer Ben Hatton part ways.
- Aston Villa confirmed the departure of COO Ben Hatton, an executive recruited by Chris Heck in 2023, who oversaw retail, security, ticketing and operations at Villa Park.
- Aston Villa part ways with chief operating officer Ben Hatton - The Athletic.
Aston Villa have confirmed that Ben Hatton has stepped down as chief operating officer (COO). The manager had been appointed in September 2023, an arrival that followed experiences in elite European football structures, such as Manchester United and AS Roma, in addition to the most recent position of general director at Blackpool.
Hatton was recruited by Chris Heck, then president of business operations at Aston Villa, who left the club in May to take up a role at LIV Golf. As part of the senior leadership team assembled by Heck, Hatton spent two seasons in Birmingham during a period in which the team led by Unai Emery consolidated sporting growth and secured, for the first time, qualification for the Champions League. Subsequently, Francesco Calvo succeeded Heck in the executive leadership of the business area, with Hatton remaining in office during the 2025/26 season until the separation between the parties is now known.
During his tenure, Ben Hatton was responsible for several operational areas considered strategic for the daily operation and expansion of the Aston Villa brand. Among the responsibilities were the club's official retail, security, Villa Park stadium operations, ticketing, as well as the coordination of concerts and other events held at the venue. These folders are central to the day-to-day running of the Birmingham club, directly influencing the fans' experience on match days, the logistical efficiency of the stadium and the generation of revenue outside the competitive context.
Hatton's departure continues the line of executive reorganization that began with the change in the presidency of business operations. The structure outside Aston Villa's four lines has sought to keep up with the team's competitive leap, which under the command of Unai Emery has been asserting itself in the Premier League and on the European scene. The presence in the Champions League, a historic milestone for the Villains, reinforced the need for solid operational processes that support the increased demands in terms of calendar, hospitality, access control, flow management and revenue boost on non-match days, as is the case with events and concerts at Villa Park.
With no additional details made available by the club at the time of the announcement, Aston Villa is preparing the next steps in the reorganization of its executive organization chart, seeking to ensure operational continuity in the areas that Hatton supervised. The objective is to maintain stability off the field to boost performance on it, in a cycle in which sporting performance and business robustness go hand in hand.
What happens next
With Hatton's departure, Aston Villa are expected to look for a new COO who can continue to expand the club's operations and improve the fan experience. Unai Emery's management and the new leadership under Francesco Calvo will face the challenge of maintaining the club's sporting and commercial growth in the Premier League. The appointment of a successor will be crucial to ensuring the continuity of the strategic operations that Hatton oversaw.
Frequently asked questions
What happened to Ben Hatton at Aston Villa?
Aston Villa have confirmed that Ben Hatton has stepped down as chief operating officer (COO).
Who confirmed Ben Hatton's departure?
Ben Hatton's departure has been confirmed by Aston Villa.
Why has the split between Ben Hatton and Aston Villa now occurred?
Hatton's departure is part of an executive reorganization that began with a change in the presidency of the club's business operations.
What changes occurred in Aston Villa's structure with Hatton's departure?
Hatton's departure follows the change in executive leadership of the business area, which was succeeded by Francesco Calvo.
What were Ben Hatton's responsibilities at Aston Villa?
Ben Hatton had several strategic operational areas under his remit, including official club retail, security, Villa Park stadium operations, ticketing and event coordination.