Former Aston Villa and Chelsea star Tony Cascarino has said that the Villans have fallen “miles behind” the Blues after Dean Saunders suggested the newly-promoted outfit were bigger than the London side.
Saunders ignited the debate over which club was bigger on talkSPORT, insisting that Tammy Abraham should look at moving permanently to Villa Park because of their proud tradition and history.
However, while Cascarino admitted they were historically bigger during the 1980s and 90s, the former Villa ace insisted it was Chelsea who were miles ahead over the last 10 years or so.
Speaking on The Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast talkSPORT show, he said: “The answer’s obviously difficult because at different periods, one club’s been bigger than the other.
“If you’re looking at the last decade then Villa are miles behind Chelsea. If you want to take it back further, Andy Townsend left Chelsea to go to Villa in the early 90s and that was when Villa were a stronger club and an even stronger club in the early 80s when they were European champions.
“When I joined I knew I’d joined a big club, Aston Villa. Of course Villa was a huge club at that particular time. If we’re talking the last particular decade, no.”
Darren: “Chelsea are the bigger club.”
Tony: “If you look at the last decade the Villa are miles behind.”
Darren: “#MUFC are still bigger than #MCFC as their title wins are recent.”
Tony Cascarino & Darren Bent react to Dean Saunders claiming #AVFC are bigger than Chelsea. pic.twitter.com/ZagdO4HtVO
— talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) June 6, 2019
Opinion
It is hard not to argue with Cascarino here – although we all know the Blues’ rise up the ranks is thanks to their financial strength. In terms of Chelsea’s success, it is all relatively recent, with Champions League and Premier League titles making their way to Stamford Bridge. As for Villa, they were absolutely huge pre-2000, winning European titles themselves and stamping their mark on English football in their iconic claret and blue kits. Unfortunately, your past glories bring nothing other than memories and tradition to the club. Money is where the power is now and Chelsea have established themselves as a financial powerhouse of the Premier League, helping them cement their place among the top six year after year. It will take someone with very deep pockets to crack England’s upper echelon and Villa, while they might have the history, do not have that kind of money at their disposal. Each side will argue their case but at the moment, who are the big players going to want to sign for?