A survey of fans carried out by the Express & Star found the vast majority prioritise silverware over league position, after another campaign in which Villa again failed to add to their trophy cabinet.
Unai Emery’s team fell short in both the Champions League and the FA Cup, losing to eventual winners Crystal Palace at Wembley in the semi-finals of the latter competition.
Supporters who took part in the Express & Star’s end of season survey voted that defeat their biggest disappointment of a campaign which featured countless memorable moments but lacked a glorious finish.
Villa also missed out on qualifying for the Champions League for the second year running by the barest of margins, finishing behind fifth-placed Newcastle on goal difference after losing at Manchester United on the final day of the season.
But nearly 90 per cent of fans believe silverware is more important than league position, with their club having failed to win a major trophy since the League Cup in 1996.
Despite disappointment at Villa failing to get over the line, most supporters consider the season to have been a success, with October’s 1-0 Champions League win over Bayern Munich voted the favourite match by 57 per cent of fans.
Midfielder Youri Tielemans, who won both players’ and supporters’ player of the year at the club’s end of season awards, also topped our poll with 86 per cent of the vote, while the club’s young player of the year, Morgan Rogers (10 per cent), finished a distant second.
Villa’s campaign was boosted by the January loan signings of Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio and it is the latter who supporters would most like to see return this summer, after he scored eight goals.
Yet it is in defence where supporters believe Emery’s squad requires the greatest reinforcement. Villa kept just three clean sheets in the first 28 Premier League matches and their inability to hold on to leads, particularly at home, ultimately proved costly in the race for Champions League football.
Emery’s men will play in the Europa League next season and the majority of supporters - 62 per cent of those who took part in our poll - are confident they can follow in the footsteps of Tottenham by winning the competition.
But they are less happy with how much it will cost to watch the matches themselves. Villa have reduced the price of European matches for next season but the cheapest ticket available for a non-season ticket holder for a group stage fixture remains steep, at £55.
Most supporters who took part in our survey believe that price is too high, while 90 per cent believe a trip to Villa Park does not offer value for money.
Though the vast majority of fans share the frustration of ownership at the profit and sustainability rules which restrict the club’s spending, they do not believe it is fair to charge more for tickets because of it.