We had a 5 year plan to get back in to Europe. Purslow, for whatever crap he did or didn't do, was in charge as we achieved that.
Moving on from him, as the club recognised his limitations seemed to be purely around getting a club out of the doldrums but not pushing it on, wasn't the right thing to do at the time we did it.
The plans for the stadium were put forwards and approved by various layers within villa, I imagine up to the top. Delays to council developments brought on by an unforeseen massive bill the council didn't know it owed, combined with the known hike in costs that meant the longer we waited the more it would cost, have meant we'll now to with a different approach.
Heck is in, but whether he oversaw any of that who knows. He very explicitly announced in his arrival that he's looking to create something far more all encompasing of Aston Villa in his vision.
As steero said... 95% of clubs are in a worse state with their owners. You named two clubs that are (in your view) better run.