Hard to have sympathy if they knew they were still in ffp trouble that summer and still went out and paid big/moderately large sums for Onana, McNeil, Maupay and Garner along with big wages on Tarkowski, Gueye and Coady. Of course they may have gotten relegated had they not signed players but that's not an excuse to go out and break the rules.
Nottingham Forest also should get no sympathy if they are in breach, their spending has been stupid.
If Villa end up in breach too then it will be what we deserve for allowing Gerrard waste money/wages but hopefully we have enough business sense to just about avoid any sanctions.