Aston Villa's billionaire owners Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens aspire to restore the club to the top of English football and in recent weeks they have seen exactly what is required to get there.
Since Steven Gerrard succeeded Dean Smith, Villa have looked far more competitive than during the early part of the campaign yet their three defeats have been against the best teams in the country – Manchester City, Liverpool and now Chelsea.
There is no disgrace to losing against these sides, who are among the best in the world.