So hear me out, the current top 10 clubs in the Premier League should be considered a "big 10". So the general rule for a club to be considered a part of "big x" they have to be:
- Big club - a big fanbase and history
- Financial strength - ability to spend a lot to buy playera
- Pull factor - playera wanting to join the club just becuse of the club name
- Consistent success
Now there is no doubt why the "big 6" is part of this "big 10".
Now Aston Villa, Newcastle are big clubs, spend a lot, pull players from big clubs from other leagues and have had consistent good results in last 2 season.
West Ham is a big club, with consistent results (apart from last season). However, they have less pull factor and less financial strength from clubs listed above. But, I believe that their ability is in these categories is still better than bottom 10 clubs so that's why they should still be considered part of "big 10".
Brighton is the only highly questionable. They have results and relative financial strength. However, they have almost no pull factor and aren't a big club. But if their results continue to be good they will start to become a big club and gain a pull factor.
That's why I believe Arsenal, Liverpool, City, Tottenham, Spurs, United, Newcastle, Aston Villa, Brighton and West Ham are part of "Big 10". What do you think?
It's weird though because Villa is in a weird middle ground where they spend far more than most non-big 6 teams and have a net spend higher than that of Liverpool and Man City (But that's also because these clubs have won trophies, improving their net spend).
As well, under Unai Emery, they could easily build back the pre Premier League days of Villa if they win a trophy or two as they have a ton of history, very large fan base, and decent ownership. As a result, Villa, and Newcastle as well, are in weird spots as they are very obviously growing extremely fast.
Yeah this is the hope for us as Villa fans. Spending is not just net transfer fees though, it’s wages as well. Villa still can’t get near any of the big 6 in terms of the wage bill.
If we were to qualify for the Champions League, get the revenue from that, bring in bigger sponsors, get more global fans, that’s when the gap would start to close.