Part of the reason why the media at large is comfortable dismissing Aston Villa, as was seen throughout the Champions League graphics, for example, is due to the false perception that currently exists regarding the club. Many find it simply too unbelievable that Unai Emery has been able to do as well as he has.
For those who continue to have a certain degree of disbelief, they are almost waiting for Villa to be entered into a relegation battle. It is too much of a stretch to see this club performing well and being close to being England's best club that is representing the Premier League in Europe.
Add the constant cycle of players that are being ushered away due to PSR, and those rumors help to substantiate what too many already believe about the club, that they are inevitably going to run out of luck and stop performing well.
What these critics fail to mention or consider is how much better Villa are under Unai Emery and with Monchi in his role compared to other clubs.
There is something of a dire situation and the potential to sell a player each year. That appears to be part of the normal course of business for the time being. By the same token, a lot of those predictions are overblown and are more the result of wishful thinking.
Villa has a strong nucleus, and there is increasingly a reason for players to want to come to B6 versus some of the other EPL situations.
Main reason for continued confidence at Aston Villa
The x-factor will, of course, be Unai Emery. The Spaniard has a way about him. Everyone knows what they are getting from the Villa boss, and the expectations are set fairly early and equitably.
The club may have to do some undesired maneuvering in order to remain in the good graces of PSR. No matter who Villa have on the roster come the first match, Emery will know how to get the most out of this squad.