There is a lot that can be said about Aston Villa. Certainly, until the side wins in a moment when the pressure is on, that will be an element that supporters of other clubs will be able to hold over Villa. That is something that will have to be earned on the pitch in a seminal moment, such as through winning Europa League or the FA Cup.
It is a big factor to consider when evaluating clubs and how a season has unfolded. To be dismissive of this aspect would be incomplete. Even so, there remains a lot more to be optimistic about with Unai Emery's side than not.
Particularly with some of the latest updates that have been revealed, the club is in a good spot in terms of the financial component of the sport.
With Unai Emery at the helm, Villa also has an inherent floor. This past campaign, for instance, saw something of a mixed bag. A poor start was made up for with a strong finish in the Premier League. This should show that the side, at worst, will be in the thick of things for a Champions League qualification spot for the foreseeable future.
While the lack of silverware will frustrate many in the fan base, even the most fierce critics have to admit that there is a different level of buzz that can be felt at B6.
Some of the PSR and SCR aspects can certainly have a draining mental toll on supporters. If able, when one looks past those aspects, there is actually a lot to look forward to regarding the upcoming 2025-2026 season.
Continuity is something that can't be purchased during any transfer window. While the expirations of the loan deals of Marco Asensio and Marcus Rashford don't allow this principle to entirely hold true, for the most part, the same squad has successfully been carried over from the past campaign.
Busy summer months ahead for Aston Villa
This allows Emery to not have to start as fresh as others. Instead, when the preseason begins and the busy July of friendlies commences, the Spaniard will have the luxury of continuing to work and enhance the principles that he has already begun to engrain within the roster.
Naturally, until the matches themselves take place, it is impossible to predict how anyone will fare. Looking at what is returning to B6 and who is patrolling the sidelines, there should be plenty of room for well-placed optimism.