The battle between rich and the richer teams

[Mister E]

We couldn't do what barca do - kids play football there like they go to church - its expected. you don't think manu with 18 zillions fans and the potential thousands of kids who would die to play for them haven't got a youth academy working overtime and yet its hasen't been exactly a conveyor belt of young talent in recent times. and lets face it if you could do it, you would, because it would save you a fortune.  Even the likes of giggs, beckham and the nevilles were nicked from other clubs. Its a different culture from spain, most kids today who used to be out playing football are on their PS3's or similar. I think the most we can hope for is to continue bringing throught decent youth players with the hope one or two will make it while the rest can be flogged off to lower league teams, but there's no way we're going to get 7/8 world class youth footballers at once however much we throw at it.

It's not going to happen overnight, for sure, but it is actually the only way of bettering yourself other than getting a very rich (multi-billions, I mean) benefactor. The funds we earn from the Premiership, the TV deals and the commercial sources are insufficient in today's market to move into a position where we can compete disproportionately well to move into the top 4 ("money heaven").
So, we need to grow talent and sell it for more than we spent on it = making money as well as feeding the first team.
We are attracting some good young talent: the challenge is being able to shape them into little stars capable of hold their own in the Premiership rather than the Championship.

[Tokyo Sexwhale]

Doing away with the loan system - or at least not being able to loan players between Premier League clubs would mean the rich clubs would find it a little more difficult to stockpile players and keep them happy.

[IFWaters]

Hi, I started a similar thread and was shouted down by the animals for daring to be different. It is clear to me that we are one of  8 largest clubs in the UK, always have been - but there's the problem - there are only 4 spots that carry the massive rewards of the Chumps League. I'm not saying we shouldnt try, but setting out to compete with Man City and Chelsea by spending isnt the way to do it. I believe Villa should persue the following strategy :
1) Set out to win something - A Cup of any kind. Maybe put that ahead of points in the league some weeks.
2) Make European Football a realistic goal - granted away to Sparta Prague aint Barca but it certainly beats not being there at all.
3) Make local and young British players our specialism. Yes a couple of big name players (Darren thankyou) but lots of youth.
4) Make the offering to fans the best in the League - consistent low prices and offers to fill the ground.
5) Replace the North Stand and keep it cheap as chips. Keep the Trinity for the toffs and the rest priced to fill the ground.
6) Get a coach who values attractive and attacking football.
7) Re-instate Acorns on our shirts. That is what we should stand for ; part of our community and contributing to it.
Make the above clear as the DNA of our team and then do it all to the best of the board's ability. I genuinely believe if the board was honest with the fans - we cant afford to compete with Man U but we wont rip you off and you will see great football then people would be proud of it.