Villa have been in the premier league for 2 years now, only just survived relegation season before last and last year finished 11th .. confused as to what makes them think they will be challenging for trophies and champions league football in the near future ?
We were on the brink of administration under the previous owner, Tony Xia, after we lost to Fulham in the playoff final.
Since the take over, we've achieved a miraculous promotion, winning the playoffs after being 13th, 11pts off 6th with 12 games left.
We had to buy a virtually new team for the PL, making about 10 signings, averaging about £12m, who had virtually no PL experience. We were 'doing a Fulham', so the saying went. It was actually necessity, rather than ill-judged. We then had a 'miracle survival', being 7 points off safety with 4 games left, and even Villa fans resigned to what seemed like certain relegation.
Last summer we made 4, more expensive signings, all starters. The youngish, PL rookies from the previous summer had improved a year on. Martinez and Watkins turned out to be inspired buys. We finished 11th with a points total that would normally leave you comfortably top half.
So from the brink of administration in the Championship to expecting a challenge for Europe this season, with 3 England players, amongst other internationals, gives cause for a little belief.
You say just survived and 11th, I say upwardly mobile. With one of the youngest first 11s in the league, who are still improving, together, and being added to.
Yes, we're well aware it's tougher the higher you're looking to go, but the club is 'on a journey', full of optimism and hope at the moment and the owners, upto now, have been pretty much perfect, even investing heavily in our youth setup to create something sustainable. They've earned a lot of trust.
I've seen people insisting we're miles off, will never win a trophy during Grealish's career, will never get top 4, deluded, etc. All ridiculous assertions, given the facts that even United and Chelsea have missed out on top 4 in recent memory, West Ham were in contention with a few games left after finishing 16th the previous season, and Leicester...you know the rest. It CAN be done, and we have the owners to sustain it, IF we get our foot in the door. So allow us our 'dream', please! :-)
As this is the Grealish thread, I should say Jack's been pivotal to our improvement. From returning from injury, getting the captain's armband, and leading us to 10 wins in a row, and a playoff place to dragging us out of the relegation zone. He's more important to Villa than you could understand. Which is why you wouldn't get him for less than £100m, because the owners know his worth. Most fans wouldn't want to sell him at any price.