I think, City has raised the expectations of mid-table clubs selling their best players within the league. They bought the likes of Lescott and Milner for huge prices. Liverpool and Manchester United did not help matters by purchasing Valencia, Jones, Downing, Henderson, Carroll, Allen for top bucks.
There is an expectation now that if young players or players in their prime are being wanted by big clubs from within the league they will get 15-20 million at the very least depending on the reputation of the player.
Villa might be in dire financial condition but they are not in the Portsmouth or Leeds situation now and don't need to have fire sales. They will not sell their biggest asset and the player that was key in keeping their Premier League status for a price that they simply can not refuse.
