The current cost control rules in football were not designed to create sustainability (as substantial owner subsidised losses are still allowed) but to prevent 'another' Chelsea or Manchester City upsetting the status quo.
In the season before Abramovich, Chelsea had the joint 5th highest wage bill. The following season it was the highest with average wages going from ยฃ21k to ยฃ54k a week (and this was in 2003/04)
In the case of Manchester City they went from 5th to 2nd after the Mansour takeover, and were top by 2011/12. Wages going from average of ยฃ38k a week to ยฃ94k a week during this period.
I've never met a Chelsea or City fan who has tried to deny the impact of the new owners has given the clubs a competitive budget.
So can understand why those Newcastle and Villa fans feel their clubs are on the wrong side of history