SEAN Dyche believes Aston Villa’s recent struggles show just how big spending does not always equal success in the top flight.

Following promotion from the Championship via the play-offs in May, more than £120 million was invested on new talent at Villa Park as they looked to ensure their return to the top flight was not a brief one.

But Dean Smith brings his side to Turf Moor having lost five of their last six games and in the relegation zone after Saturday’s 3-0 defeat at struggling Watford.

Dyche believes the balance between sticking and twisting is hard to find for promoted clubs, with the Clarets having endured their fare share of ups and downs as they enjoy what is now a fourth straight season in the top flight.

“It’s so difficult whether you spend money or you don’t spend money,” the Burnley boss said.

“They’ve spent a fortune, it’s kind of worked in spells, then it hasn’t.

“Chris Wilder (at Sheffield United) has spent okay money and it has worked but by sticking to more or less what he does and what the team does.

“Norwich have spent a bit less money and they’re trying to rely on what they did in getting promoted.

“It’s so difficult. We go through it every season, it’s always a new challenge for us.

“When we first got in it’s difficult to find the right balance of the freshness and experience you need to support your team to improve but then maybe not taking too much away from what got you there in the first place.”

One of the major investments over the summer was Tom Heaton leaving Turf Moor for Villa, the England keeper costing around £8 million.

His distinguished service is likely to recognised by the crowd on his first return to East Lancashire today, the 34-year-old having played 200 times for the Clarets and won three England caps during his time with the club.

“He was my first ever signing and I got absolutely mullered by the fans here for signing him but I think it’s fair to say it worked out in the end,” Dyche said with a smile.

While some managers have complained about the hectic Christmas and new year schedule, the Burnley boss is not as concerned about player welfare as others, this the Clarets’ third game in six days.

“They’re professional footballers” Dyche said. “Get some food down you and crack on. It’s the job, I’m serious.

“Some of the teams, as I’ve explained before, if you’re Liverpool, they’ve got it tough and they’ve had a lot of games, but for us generally it’s week to week to week.

“You have this little spell, the two in three days are tough, but we’ve got a few days recovery so I’ll be expecting them to be physically right that’s for sure.”