Simon Jordan makes Aston Villa prediction in message to NSWE
Latest Aston Villa news from BirminghamLive brings what Simon Jordan has said about the Lions and their plans to break into the Premier League's elite this season
Former Crystal Palace owner Simon Jordan thinks Aston Villa are well-placed to propel themselves into the elite of English football.
Villa, in their third season back in the Premier League, are looking to qualify for European football next season as the club's owners try to continue their upward trajectory.
Since Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens came in three years ago, replacing Tony Xia, it has been nothing but good news with promotion, consolidation in the top flight and big summer spending sprees forthcoming.
However the owners, who renamed the club's holding company NSWE, were faced with the challenge of Jack Grealish's departure to Manchester City for a British record transfer fee of £100million this summer.
Villa have brought in five players - four in attack - to try to mitigate Grealish 's departure.
Nevertheless the expectation is there for a good season, especially after the money shelled out on players like Emiliano Buendia, Danny Ings and Leon Bailey.
Jordan, who called the sale of Grealish for £100m "smart" earlier this week, was asked whether he thinks Villa or their Premier League rivals West Ham United are better placed to break into the domestic elite.
West Ham finished fifth last season while Villa ended the campaign in 11th.
Jordan told radio station talkSPORT: "I think Villa are arguably a bigger club than West Ham.
"On paper achievements, if you look back over the history of those two clubs, I think you have to make a stronger case for Villa.
"I think now with the owners, they are a different sort and a different dynamic.
"Villa, with the owners they have who have a sporting background and money to burn with a propensity to do it, they are better heeled to launch than perhaps West Ham."
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