Despite the mess we were in last summer we still got PL players like Tammy Abraham and Bolasie. We still signed Kalinic in January and kept Abraham as well as adding Mings. All of these players had other options but decided Aston Villa was the place to be despite our clouds of uncertainty.
If Dean Smith can finish the season strongly, the sides that are coming up and down into the Championship in my opinion won't be as powerful as the last three seasons with Newcastle, Wolves and even Leeds/Norwich who are just more consistent. It won't be easy but I believe if it doesn't happen this season we have a brilliant chance next year and it might convince players like Mings, Jack etc to stick around for one more go.