The Aston Villa chief executive defended the club’s summer recruitment on Sky Sports News.
The Villans were incredibly busy during the transfer window, signing up 12 players for their return to the English Premier League.
Dean Smith was given the backing to sign targets in positions up and down the pitch, with the total spend taken to over £100m.
It’s a significant investment and one which has its risks, as well as obvious potential positives.
Critics argue that by bringing in so many players they could have a disjointed team that struggles in the top-flight, leaving them with a bloated and too expensive squad if they are relegated.
There’s no doubt though that the quality of the team has improved and that last season’s Championship play-off winners are well equipped for the fight this term.
Purslow made some ambitious comments during the interview, telling Sky Sports: “It’s essentially 12 out, 12 in. £127m (before add-ons) is a huge amount, but it is about a year’s worth of television money.
“My board and I feel strongly that in the Premier League we have an obligation to be competitive, not to be promoted to the Premier League, spend no money, take some TV money, say thank you very much and go back down probably.”
It’s the argument that plenty of Villa fans have been making for months and it was a robust defence of accusations they are ‘doing a Fulham’ by spending so much in one summer.
Fair to say then that some supporters were delighted with his comments, feeling that with ambition and vision like that in senior positions at Villa Park they will do well over the next few years.
These fans took to Twitter to share their thoughts…
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