Aston Villa boss Dean Smith says supporters can be happy with the owners' management.
Leicester, where developing infrastructure has also been key to success, are held up as the model to follow.
“I think they (the owners) are very astute businessmen who have a strategic plan," says Smith.
“Part of that plan is to go and compete in the upper echelons of this league. That is where they want the club to go and they want to grow the brand of Aston Villa FC across the world. They are also aware that takes time.
“I speak to them regularly during our board calls and they are very ambitious but the key word is strategic, they build a plan and follow through.
“Every Villa fan can feel in safe hands with these owners. Everything they have said they would deliver, they have delivered on.
“You look at the academy - and this isn't having a go at anyone - but from where it was three years ago, to where it is now, it is a place people want to come.
“We need to keep progressing and developing and continue that rise."
