Aston Villa will head into the “life-changing” £170m shoot-out with Fulham facing the prospect of a financial nightmare if they fail in their promotion mission.

Villa’s cash worries will be removed with victory at Wembley tomorrow, but defeat will see them under pressure to avoid breaking Financial Fair Play rules and being hit with a possible transfer embargo.

With the stakes so high, it is arguably Villa’s biggest game since the 1982 European Cup Final. Steve Bruce, the manager, is acutely aware of the doomsday scenario. Captain John Terry would be expected to leave, while deals to permanently sign loan players Robert Snodgrass, Sam Johnstone and Lewis Grabban will be scrapped.

The futures of stars including Jack Grealish, James Chester and Jonathan Kodjia will inevitably be plunged into doubt and it is understood that Villa may even have to consider selling their Recon Training Complex, if they fall short in the Championship play-off final.

Mile Jedinak, the Australian international, has admitted the game is crucial to the club’s future.