Thread by @PreeceObserver

Really engaging Q&A with #AVFC chief exec Christian Purslow via last night's @Villa_Trust AGM. Off today putting some flat-pack up & had it on. CP confirms Kappa budgeted for 30k units of kits this year but 80k cleared. 100k units all set for next year puts...

#AVFC in top 8 in UK & top 15 clubs in Europe commercially for merchandise, an area that's "exploding" at Villa compared to previous 4/5 years. Has been challenges given uncertainty w/ promotion last term, meaning planning impossible to get right. Merch side of Villa...

sub-contracted & run by Kappa, with contract running until 2023. Question came from dad wanting Villa kids' bedding, towels & more merch. Owner of Kappa at Villa Park on Sunday for first time for Spurs game. Elsewhere, #AVFC "banked an incredible windfall benefit" from #HS2...

with regard to rail line slicing through part of BMH, hence fantastic academy building. Staying with academy, #AVFC want to pump U23s with best 16/17/18 year-olds for "ultimate acid test". If 21/22 yos are playing for U23 it's not working. CP highlighted exciting prospect...

Carney Chukwuemeka as one of the best 16-year-olds in England. He's starting regularly for U23s. Edens & Sawiris ask most Qs about players coming through system. Signing of Louie Barry was "marquee" meanint #AVFC "deadly serious" about bringing players through. Statement to...

other 14/15/16 year-olds & parents that Villa's the place to be. #AVFC should dominate talent pool north of London and south of Manchester & Mark Harrison was stand-out candidate to lead academy into exciting new dawn give local knowledge & expertise...

To 1st team matters, CP says Villa's end goal of being back amongst #PL elite is 5/6 years away, not 5 minutes. "Only 6 teams can truly say there's no prospect of beint relegated (every season). Look at Bournemouth & Burnley. It takes 4 years to pay average #PL salaries...

& comply with #FFP rules." Villa currently complying with 1yr #PL rules & 2yrs of Championship rules. CP confirms the wage bill Villa can pay players is "much, much, much lower than teams who have been in #PL for 3 years. It doesn't matter if you have fantastic owners...

with infinite resources wanting to have the best players in the world, the rules don't allow that. You need multiple years in the #PL to move up your average salaries to allow to compete on an even foot." #AVFC attempting to do things fast. Have an entirely new squad who...

have young players that are all worth more than what #AVFC paid for them already. "When I arrived we had no-one of that ilk other than Jack," CP adds. Head coach Dean Smith "central to everything" & new contract before Christmas was sorted within a heartbeat...

The full podcast can be found via @jonnygould. A great listen. The future sounds incredbly bright & will be all the more brighter should Deano & the boys get the job done come May. shorturl.at/fAIO3 #AVFC