BLACKPOOL have been fined £25,000 by the Premier League for fielding an under-strength side against Aston Villa earlier this season.

Manager Ian Holloway controversially made 10 changes for the game at Villa Park on November 10, arguing he needed to utilise his squad during a three-game week.

Holloway was almost vindicated as his team were beaten 3-2 by an 89th-minute goal and he later threatened to resign if punished over the matter.

It remains to be seen whether he sticks to his word but he did later temper those remarks by saying he would only step down if chairman Karl Oyston agreed it was in the club’s best interest.

A statement from the club read: ‘‘Blackpool Football Club can confirm the Premier League board has found the club guilty of breaches of Rules B.13 and E.20 in relation to the team fielded by the club in its fixture against Aston Villa on November 10, 2010.

‘‘As a result of this breach of rules Blackpool FC have been fined £25,000.

‘‘In reaching a decision the Premier League board took into account the team fielded by Blackpool in its match against West Ham United on November 13, 2010 and in subsequent league matches.’’ The statement added that the Premier League also took into account Holloway’s selection for this month’s FA Cup third-round defeat at League One Southampton.

Holloway made nine changes for that tie, saying that as his team had little chance of winning the cup the following week’s league game against Liverpool had to take priority.

Wolves were punished for fielding a below-strength last season but since then the Premier League have introduced a new regulation stipulating that teams must be selected from a 25-man squad.

Holloway felt that as he complied with that rule punishment could not be justified, but the Premier League have viewed this to be an extreme case.

Reflecting on the punishment, Oyston told talk- SPORT: ‘‘It is a squad game now. As a Premier League rule we have to nominate 25 players ahead of the season and that is what we have done.

‘‘If the Premier League think those players aren’t good enough to appear on our behalf then maybe they should tell us that as we nominate them and maybe they should pick our team for us, I’m not sure.’’ Oyston played down the prospect of Holloway leaving Bloomfield Road in the light of the fine, saying he would do ‘‘everything in my power’’ to retain his services.

‘‘The manager has got absolute total control over which players he picks at Blackpool and I support every decision he makes, so I have no issue with Ian and I think for him to consider resigning when he’s done so magnificently well since he was appointed is something that I certainly wouldn’t preside over,’’ he said.

‘‘I don’t think we should have been fined and we will reveal our position and possibly appeal against it. I think it’s unjust and so does Ian.’’ Meanwhile, Oyston has dismissed revelations that Holloway would profit financially if captain Charlie Adam was sold as ‘‘insignificant’’.

Holloway has admitted he will receive a percentage of any fee received for the Scotland playmaker but denied that is why he and the club are holding out for a higher price for the 25-year-old.