Missing out on Champions League was a bitter blow for Aston Villa. PSR has a part to play as to why, but the effect of missing out on that revenue in 2025-2026 will not be felt until next year. Instead, being forced to drop down a level after having experienced what the knockout phases of the top competition feel like takes a toll on the players and fan base.
An aspect that has often also been discussed in relation to this is how players will now not want to come or stay at Villa. In a sense, playing in Europa League instead is now something of a hidden blessing.
Yes, the goal is to do well throughout all competitions, with the main focus being on doing well in the Premier League. A club wants players who have high standards and are looking to achieve a lot each year.
There is also reality.
Although the EPL saw an increase of automatic slots to the Champions League, going up from four to five, it will be far from a guarantee for each club to make Europe's top competition each year. Some sides will have an inherent built-in advantage; meanwhile, others are becoming increasingly competitive.
What is needed at Aston Villa right now
To have anyone want to come to a club solely for the reason of playing in Champions League is short-sighted. Instead, it is more important to have players who want to come to Villa for the right reasons, who are willing to fight throughout the course of a season to earn a Champions League spot on an annual basis.
That slight difference in approach makes a tremendous difference and serves as a differentiating motivation factor. Particularly now, with Villa being at a critical point in the club's history, it is better to have people who are dedicated to the badge and willing to give it their all, regardless of what then happens in the standings, compared to someone who only wants to come for a single competition.