Adaptation is the key to being "better."
While it is tempting to keep attacking, there is a "soft cap" where the losses to your army may outweigh the resources gained. Level 1-10: Easy pickings. Use basic Spearmen and Slingers. Level 11-20: ikariam barbarian village better
As you defeat the village, it grows stronger and adds new defensive mechanics: Adaptation is the key to being "better