Sunday, 04 October 2009 07:52
According to reports this morning, Randy Lerner is looking for investment from billionaire businessmen from the Far East. Roughly translated, this means he is looking at selling up.
Randy Lerner paid just over £60mn for Aston Villa but the value of the club has gone up since he took control, mostly through increased revenue and some clever bookkeeping, so he should be able to get back what he paid for the club, what he has put in and a tidy profit.
Naturally, I am reading into this, the report does just say investment, but no billionaire businessman from the Far East is going to invest the type of money we need to challenge without taking the club too. It doesn´t add up.
So, while Lerner has made everyone feel good, which is good, if the last thing he does is find us an owner who can make the investments necessary to really challenge, then it will be job well done.
Nothing against Lerner, he has done a fine job, but if O´Neill had the type of money that Mark Hughes had this summer I fancy we´d be challenging for the league this season. He didn´t, so we won´t, but if Lerner can sell to the right people, you never know what next season will bring.
This will also help him out in the US with his American Rugby team supporters who are a little critical of him owning us. They feel their team doesn´t get the attention it deserves and as of late, he has come in for a bit of stick.
Let´s just hope this is true and it happens. Not what I thought I´d be writing, but the game is all about money these days and if we are ever to challenge that is what we need. Show me the money and I´ll show you the league.
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linden
said:
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... bare faced bullshit post transfer window hootenanny, tomfoolery of the highest order next post we'll be subjected to will read '' Carew is leaving'' or ''Has Martin O'Neill done a good job'' Usual old tosh |
Damian
said:
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... linden you dont have to be ´subjected´ to anything if you don´t want to be. this report is in two papers and on several websites if Randy Lerner has the best interests of Aston Villa in mind and wants to make Aston Villa great again, then this makes perfect sense naturally, if you want to stay just a top six side, you could just hope this isn´t true |
paul mclafferty
said:
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... lets see how many of the purists say they dont want the money and want to build the club, because i bet they would change their views if we could buy the players citeh are buying. |
Damian
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... holteend paul now now .. this would be fantastic if he can do it. he has a responsibility to make sure we get he right owner, as in someone that has so much money that £300mn on players next summer is like change down the back of the sofa, but i´m sure he´ll do it and i´m sure if this story is true, that good things are just around the corner .... aston villa is a better buy in that pompey or manchester city |
Eoin Greene
said:
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... Randy Lerner is the best owner in the premiership. He has an amazing villa tattoo on his leg and the paint job he has done at Villa Park is the envy off all other premiership clubs. What more do people want from an owner? Its important not to spend money on players as you will end up like Leeds. We dont want to end up like Leeds! Being a Man City supporter is not exciting. They have sold their 'soul'. I would much rather finish mid-table than win the league spending money. I would LOVE it just LOVE it if we had some real investment. Money talks. |
paul mclafferty
said:
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... i agree damain but there will be cynics on here that wont and i bet when they get out of bed they will let us know.  |
david
said:
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... Damian, I suspect you'll disagree with this, but I for one hope that the reports are true and Lerner is looking for a partner rather than to sell up. Until I see evidence to the contrary I do like to believe that he has the best interests of Aston Villa at heart. The club has certainly moved forwards during his tenure, you can see it in the surroundings of Villa Park and apparently there are plans to make big improvements to the ground. The squad has also improved over recent seasons so that at last we have competition for places in most positions. By all accounts he is a true anglophile and I think he'd like to leave a positive mark and be thought well of. The perfect scenario for me would be the sentiment of Lerner backed by the cash of a middle Eastern partner. Whilst Lerner is involved I like to think that the club will not go in for unsustainable investment which could lead us down the path of a Leeds. |
Damian
said:
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... eoin1981 it is nice to be able to say you don´t want to just buy it but unfortunately that is the game these days ... and yes, we would all love it |
Damian
said:
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... r0bb0 if the reports are true then can you really see someone putting in the £200mn - £300mn on players to win the league and not buying the club? like i said in the forum, if this is true, let him keep a percentage of the business and become our ambassador to the US or something .. let him stay involved because like you say, he has had a positive influence |
david
said:
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... Damian, I agree, it's hard to imagine that it will be a partnership rather than a wholesale takeover, but not impossible. You can imagine a scenario where a middle eastern investor may welcome the continuing involvement of someone with knowledge of sports club investment, particularly one who is generally well thought of by the supporters of the club. |
Paris Rob
said:
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... http://www.cleveland.com/livin...ndy_l.html and we think we had problems at the start of the season |
david
said:
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... That could just be my wishful thinking though! Anyway....just off to pick some flowers for the wife and make her breakfast  |
paul mclafferty
said:
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... i would love to know how much lerner bought villa for because ellis sold his 51% for 64 million. so how much did he buy the remaining 49% for as it would have had to be higher as it was a stockmarket buyout, does anyone know? also if he paid the same then i still put it in the 120million bracket. |
Steve Badger
said:
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... I dont want to seem like a wet blanket, but this would worry me. Whilst of course i'd love to see us spend citeh types of money, you have to wonder where it's all going to end. |
Steve Hadley
said:
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... Thia is a difficult one for me...obvioulsy we all want Villa to be buying the best players in the worls, competing in the Champion League every season and winning the Premier League, but at what price?? All these rich investors from over seas come in, what do we know about them and on several occassions, where have they got their money from? When they all get bored of their new play things as the money in football starts to dry up...and it will, who picks up the pieces and where does it leave our beloved Aston Villa in years to come? Sure, Man City have it good at the moment, but I wouldn't like to bet where they are in 10yrs time! I have very mixed views on this subject as you can see. I thought Lerner was the new breed of billionaire owner but he has simply been out-trumped time and time again by people with even more money, more backing, more investment...where does it all end??? |
Damian
said:
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... holteend paul the total price was just over £60mn .. i think although dont quote me on this £63.5mn ... basically lerner made ellis an offer of £x which valued the whole club at the buy price |
VillaNick
said:
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... It would be my dream to get Villa competeting with Chelsea, & Man City for big name players, so if reports are true, bring it on. It's great having Lerner and having Villa conduct them selves very admirably etc. but, it don't win trophies and if we're not careful we could end up being behind teams who are heavily backed and that is not good enough! Like it or not that's Football in the 21st Century. |
Steve Badger
said:
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... Hadders7, spot on mate. My concerns exactly, but my phone won't allow a long post. |
Damian
said:
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... Hadders7 Don´t take this the wrong way, but it´s like you are looking for something to go wrong ... Do you accept that Ellis did a good job selling to Lerner? I suspect you will and if you do, look to the man selling to see what you are going to get. Basically, Ellis wanted a mirror image of himself and he got one, just version 2.0. Lerner wants to sell to real money, to someone that can spend the money on making Aston Villa champions. If you think everything Lerner has done to date is good, why do you think he will fail on this thing? Due diligence isn´t just something the investors/buyers do you know .. I don´t think Lerner will just sell to the first one that comes along - he will sell to the right person. Basically, it doesn´t end. One day someone somewhere is going to come up with the concept that things need to be capped and that will happen and when it does, people (the new owners) will start to make money. It isn´t a bad thing .. |
Damian
said:
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... Badger Just like an Arab billionaire could walk away, so could Lerner or Sky could go bust tomorrow and kill the game .. any number of things could go wrong. Lerner has a responsibility to sell to the right person. Well, he doesn´t but for him to be remembered well, he should. Everything he has done so far has been good, why would this not be good? I don´t think it will destroy the club. I think, if Lerner does this and does it right, it will make Aston Villa great again. |
paul mclafferty
said:
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... Hadders7... can i be as honest as i can with you? i have been a villa fan for over thirty years and have seen them win everything exept the f.a cup but i was at wembley to see us lose.if lerner sold the club and we went on and won some massive silverware along the way and as you say in ten years we do a leeds then to be honest i would take that mate instead of living in mid table misery every season. and if it did happen then we could enjoy being reinvented as leeds fans are enjoying now because at the moment they are winnig more than us as in promotion and so on, ok it might not be the premiership but they still harbour hopes and a goal. |
Steve Badger
said:
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... Damian, Don´t take this the wrong way, but it´s like you are looking for something to go wrong I don´t think it will destroy the club. I think, if Lerner does this and does it right, it will make Aston Villa great again. It's not about looking for something to go wrong at all, it's pure common sense. I believe you're an accountant, so surely you can see the figures just don't stack up? Imagine the club has a debt of £250 million and these fly-by-night investors walk. What then? How could we service that sort of debt? Seems to me that some of us haven't learnt what happens when you overstretch, as has been demonstrated by the economy. Hadders7 has it bang on. The bubble will burst eventually and I really fear for some clubs, as I've said before on a few occasions. Pompey were in major trouble for way less money than we're talking about and I just feel you can't keep expecting ever richer investors to pick up the pieces eveytime. It simple won't happen and clubs will fall by the wayside, I'm convinced of it  |
FatKevs
said:
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... The fans have no say in the ownership of the club, so bring it on, as i was told we just rent our seat for the season. I will be supporting my club no matter who or division. |
Steve Hadley
said:
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... Damian, I disagree, I am not looking for anything to go wrong, I merely have concerns about the foreign investors and their commitment to the future of our club...if you believe the papers, then new billionaire owner of Portsmouth is already selling to another Saudi consortium as early as next week...he hasn't even got his name on his desk yet...still it must have been two weeks of hell! I take your point about a whole host of things can go worng, but let's be honest, there are no more investors out there like Man City have...200m+ per transfer window, Kaka bids etc...get real! The reality of it is that if and when (hopefully soon) wages etc are capped, the best players will go to the top 4 clubs and us, spurs, everton etc will fight for the ones that slip through the net. Of course I want success at Villa, like Holteend Paul, I have been a villa supporter for a similar period of time, was at Wembley in 99 when we lost to Chelsea in the FA etc etc and I want to seee us challenge like that again, every supporter from every team does...we just have to be realistic about it and perhaps be greatful of what we have...not many do! |
Dave J
said:
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... Damian - has this piece of gossip altered your "lerner is all about good pr" stance? I must confess that the notion of some big time investment is attractive (and sadly necessary ) for us to really challenge but bigger picture for a minute - will football still be our "national" game when all prem clubs are owned by oil billionaires and we have an annual competition to see not who is the best team but who has the richest chairman? I know that this is what the game today is all about etc but that doesn't stop me falling out of love with football just a little when discussions like this crop up. |
Damian
said:
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... Badger I´m not an accountant but I agree, the numbers don´t add up, but they don´t add up for Roman Abramovich, Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan or Sulaiman Al-Fahim. The numbers dont add up also for the Liverpool two or the Glazer family either, but they are making the numbers stack up. I hear what you are saying though, what happens if our new owner does walk away, even if this is true ... but that is where Lerner comes in and him picking the right person. But what are we worrying about? Lerner getting a new owner or the new owner walking away in two, three, four or five seasons? How about we worry about Lerner getting a new owner, the new owner spending £300mn, us winning the league, the FA Cup, the Champions League and him not leaving and him giving ´as a gift´ the club all the money and writing it off as such. Why worry about an owner running away - why not worry about how you are going to feel if it does happen and we start winning things. As for the bubble bursting - we are in trouble right now if it does burst. Clubs like Manchester City are not though ... they quite literally have trillionaires owning them - the bubble could burst but they are fine. The only bubble that is going to burst will be the one where wage capping comes in and when that does happen we want to be right at the top of that bubble with a very wealthy owner. |
VillaNick
said:
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...Villa nick, even at the risk of destroying the club forever? Not for me :-( The thing is Badger it won't stop and if we don't get the right investment we could end up being left behind and could be fighting off relegation in 4 years time, not for me. If you can't beat 'em, join 'em. |
paul mclafferty
said:
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... when i die, aston villa football club will carry on their business as usual not ever knowing of my exsistance, but for me aston villa mean the world and my missus knows she comes second, but if villa died then i would also have to carry on going to work every day to pay the rent, but while we are both alive and kicking, then if i can see villa winning the european cup again then i will be tempted to sell my soul to the devil. |
Damian
said:
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... Dave J I also, I think, fall out of love with the game every day. Fortunately, I have a long way to go before I have no interest and I think it will be fixed by then ... But my stance on Lerner isn´t any different but it is very much based on his inability to do it, PR is just a spin off from that. |
Steve Badger
said:
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... Fatkevs, The fans have no say in the ownership of the club, so bring it on, as i was told we just rent our seat for the season. So will I. But that's a little naive, imo. What if there isn't a club left to support? It's not as if big clubs haven't gone totally bust before, after all. Not recently, granted, but it has happened. Accrington Stanley were a top club in their day, for example. That's probably an OTT example, but my point is it might not just be doing a "Leeds". |
Steve Badger
said:
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... Fatkevs, The fans have no say in the ownership of the club, so bring it on, as i was told we just rent our seat for the season. So will I. But that's a little naive, imo. What if there isn't a club left to support? It's not as if big clubs haven't gone totally bust before, after all. Not recently, granted, but it has happened. Accrington Stanley were a top club in their day, for example. That's probably an OTT example, but my point is it might not just be doing a "Leeds". |
Dave J
said:
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... I'll be honest - the way things are going I doubt I'll be watching football in a few years time. I don't have anything like the level of interest I did in days gone by and every year I get closer to thinking that I can't be arsed anymore. Old fashioned it most definitely is but the sums of money washing around the game these days is frankly sick. |
Damian
said:
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... Badger It could happen, nothing is impossible, but it also might not. Dave J You are not alone, which is why I think it will get fixed. It ultimately has too one day .. I hope. |
Steve Badger
said:
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... Don't know what happened there with the duplicate???? But what are we worrying about? Lerner getting a new owner or the new owner walking away in two, three, four or five seasons? How about we worry about Lerner getting a new owner, the new owner spending £300mn, us winning the league, the FA Cup, the Champions League and him not leaving and him giving ´as a gift´ the club all the money and writing it off as such. So trade a few years of winning for the demise of the club? The law of averages says I've got 20 years left if I'm lucky. I guess I could probably take that deal  Not sure how I'd be thinking if I were younger though. Don't get me wrong, I do want to see us winning things. |
Nastylee
said:
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... "Roughly translated, it means we're selling up" Well, it doesn't does it? It means that Randy realises his money alone is not enough. Therefore, as any decent businessman would realise, he is looking at other avenues to increase potential. This doesn't mean a sell out but even if it did, is it the end of the world? |
VDV
said:
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... great news. take over by january. get two or thrre solid players in like keane and defour and villa r on there way. well done learner. |
James Clift
said:
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... I really this is true. Yes Randy has done a good job but he's never going to invest the type of cash needed to challenge. I don't really like the idea of doing a city and buying the league but whats wrong with wanting success? If it takes money to do it then i'm all for it. |
Faccundo
said:
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... Damien I predicted that Lerner would be out once I saw his "investment", or lack thereof, in the off-season. His strategy was always to take us to the edge of champions league but he didn't have the ambition to get there. We saw that in January when he only let us buy Heskey. Now it's time for Liar Lerner and propaganda General Goebbels to get out. Glad to see the back of them ASAP. Let him maximise his profit, those who were deluded and attacked me in the summer now see I was right. The club is not going anywhere with most red-carded penalties conceded in premiership history Drunkard Dunne (responsible for 2 goals conceded against a 10 man Blackburn) Where is the 30m player? Where is the ambition to play for European Cups? Feel good empty gestures - the "principal/agent" paradigm which Lerner exploited. Now that many Villains have seen through it and voted with their feet, Liar Lerner is selling out. Good riddance LIAR LERNER AND GENERAL GOEBBELS OUT NOW!! LETS RETURN TO THE PINNACLE |
Dave J
said:
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... I hope that's the case but I fear that I may well have lost it with football by the time the fix comes along. Economic history tells that something will not carry on growing and increasing exponentially. There will be a major re adjustment somewhere along the line. You are spot on about one thing though - the more ready cash that a club has when that re adjustment comes the less painful it will be. |
Damian
said:
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... Nastylee No, it isn´t the end of the world, I think it would be fantastic, but it sort of does mean he is selling up. Think about how much is needed. Lets say £300mn over 3 seasons, or maybe even 2. Think then about the value of the club. Lets say, and this is very generous, £200mn - which would give Lerner back all his money and a tidy profit. For the type of money Lerner needs then why would anyone invest it if for that they can buy it? It would be different if Lerner needed £20mn or £30mn ... then it would be ´looking for investment´ but we don´t need that much - we need a lot more. |
Damian
said:
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... Dave J It will happen, it has too ... it just might not be as soon as it is needed. |
Dave J
said:
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... Faccundo - I don't think I have ever read more puerile I'll informed drivel than your posts. |
paul mclafferty
said:
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... question... what kind of villa fan doesnt want us to move on and become succesful? answer...the posters on THE VILLA BLOG. |
Eoin Greene
said:
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... If somebody comes in and spends x hundred million over a few years, making us a regular champions league team and contenders for all major honours, and then leaves after 5 years - whats the problem? For 5 years we would have lived the dream. Those 5 years providing they were not run by an imbacile would have hugely strengthen he club - much bigger fan base and profile, atracting better players, more revenue from all avenues, probable bigger capacity stadium etc.etc. and a good investment for the next potential suitor. Chelsea spent huge initially, then got to such a level where they just had to add 1 or 2 players of high quality every season. United were the number 1 team when money came into football - so they allready had the strong player base - and they too and 1-2 players of quality every season. When I first heard that we were being bought by a billionaire american - I thought it was the greatest news since I started supporting Villa. I think Randy doesn't have enough money and hs turned into DOUG II - but he has a villa tattoo!! If you look around the footballing world - in the vast majority of instances things have NOT gone the way of Leeds. Lets face it - if Villa are in the Vauxhall Conference in 10 years time - we'll still be on here talking about them!! I just want to see my team win something big in my lifetime and I am 100% will to take the risk on a foreign sheik!! |
Vijay Daryanani
said:
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... i think lerner has realised that he cannot do what he wanted to alone, it is good to see that he realises that as he has the club at heart and wants to bring in help, if someone comes in with a real massive transfer budget then we will be able to compete with the top 5, i also think that if mon would have signed toure, lescott, and adebayor we would be in the op 3 now |
Damian
said:
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... holteend paul that is a bit harsh. everyone would be ultimately happy if we got a new owner who was willing to invest the money necessary to challenge for the league but it is human nature to be wary of change and especially change where the outcome is unknown let this settle in for a few days and if it turns out to be true, then you´ll not find anyone that doesn´t want it |
Steve Badger
said:
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... Faccundo, What are you on about? His strategy was always to take us to the edge of champions league but he didn't have the ambition to get there. We saw that in January when he only let us buy Heskey. How many times do you need to be told MON enquired about Downing, but he wasn't available? That's not only allowing us to have Heskey at all. Let him maximise his profit, those who were deluded and attacked me in the summer now see I was right. There's only one person deluded here and I don't think you're right. Investment, whether you like it or not has been some of the highest of any club in the prem. Fact. The club is not going anywhere with most red-carded penalties conceded in premiership history Drunkard Dunne (responsible for 2 goals conceded against a 10 man Blackburn Well that's just laughable imo. Most pundits said it wasn't a penalty. And you label a bloke as a drunkard for something he did years ago? Everywhere I've read says he's an exemplary professional nowadays. |
Not a f****e Villa fan
said:
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... where does it say anywhere that he's considering selling? It doesn't. Beacause he isn't. He seems to be doing what Hicks/Gillet are doing and that is looking for someone else to buy a STAKE in the club, in return for an injection of equity. Makes perfect sense to me and I trust Lerner to find the right people to invest. He's served us well so far - some of the t**ts on this site would do well to remember that |
Damian
said:
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... Not a fickle Villa fan It doesn´t say anywhere that he is thinking of selling and it should also be noted that this story is pure speculation - I have even filed it as such, but do the numbers. For Lerner to remain as the majority shareholder and seek investment, the most he could possibly hope to get would be in the region of £80mn, maybe £100mn as an absolute maximum and as such, that isn´t going to be enough to get us challenging for the league, maybe top four. So, while it doesn´t say he is selling and while this story is pure speculation at the moment, it is, I think anyway, fair to assume, that if there is some truth in this, that it wouldn´t be for investment, but for profit and quite possibly to see Aston Villa challenge. |
Faccundo
said:
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... Badger It was a penalty - why? Because the ref blew the whistle and we lost 3 points. Why was his hand up in the air in the box? Was he on the piss before the game? The "model professional" you so laud publicly blasted Hughes for taking out the trash. Publicly criticising your manager when things don't go your way is the antithesis of a model professional. Notice you fail to refute Drunkard Dunne (DD) was responsible for the first goal. I'llassume you agree with me. Finally Badger you stooge, can you refute that DD has incurred the most red cards in Premier league history? NO DD is a bckward step provoked by Deadly Doug MkII aka Liar Lerner Dave J - why are crowds down? Might it be not adequately replacing the loss of our 2 best players? If we don't get a new owner now Ashley Young, Gabby Agbonlahor, Milner will all be off within 2 years. |
Doc
said:
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... Ok here's a question If Lerner did sell and the new owners pumped serious money into the transfer budget would you trust MON to spend it wisely? Who would his transfer targets be with 'Man City' type money? |
Steve Badger
said:
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... holteend paul, question... what kind of villa fan doesnt want us to move on and become succesful? Are you serious? Of course every fan wants their club to be successful. Just not at any price. It's all part of the reason my interest has waned over the years too. Just pure greed, "I want it now" and "I don't care who we step on on the way" (big clubs poaching kids) attitudes are just ruining the game, imo. |
Damian
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... Pace You have to hope that O´Neill could make it work don´t you and I think he probably would. There is a saying about not blaming your tools but having spent a few months working with tools I can tell you that actually with better tools the job is easier. However, saying that, if we had a billionaire oil sheik come in and he wanted the absolute best and brought with him Mourinho or someone, would any of us be disappointed? We would say thank you to O´Neill for doing what he did and without ever knowing, just accept that it would have happened with O´Neill, only that the new owner wanted someone that had done it and someone that really could attract world class players. |
Faccundo
said:
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... Badger You'll send Ashley Young, Gabby and Milner off to the top 4 with your attitude. I want to keep our best, not wish them well in the Champions League in another teams kit Need to realise at this rate we'll never see Europe's highest stage again. With Liar Lerner off we will at least have a chance. |
Josh
said:
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... I'm surprised there's any rich far eastern billionaires left, seeing as most clubs in the Prem have someone from there investing in them. This would be fantastic news if it was true and we got the right person. I like Lerner, so i'd prefer having him to some tyrant with cash, but if an investor/buyer comes in, and wants to fund is with strong money for the long-term, i would be overjoyed. I really don't want to see a Roman Abramovic at Villa, telling us that 9 wins and 1 loss is terrible form, and that we should be winning 15-0 against every team and never giving the ball away, but some serious money would be more than welcome. |
paul mclafferty
said:
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... damian... i cant wait for the responses to your last post now you want a better manager than o'niell lmfao |
Steve Badger
said:
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... Faccundo, So referees don't make mistakes? Was he at fault for the first goal? Probably, but you'd better slate every other defender in the league whose ever been at fault for a goal. Finally Badger you stooge, can you refute that DD has incurred the most red cards in Premier league history? NO I don't like your tone mate. I'm not a stooge and resent being called that. I wanted Ellis out and was very vocal about it for years. You just seem to have personal vendettas which cloud your thinking, imo, as you simply fail to see Mr Lerner has done good things for this club. It's not his fault he doesn't have a trillion quid to spend and surely if he is looking for investment/trying to sell proves that his intentions are good? Try looking up the road to Small Heath Alliance to see what crap ownership is about; http://www.birminghammail.net/...-24841178/ |
david
said:
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... Isn't it sad that when there's a balanced discussion about the ownership of our club up pops someone like Faccundo throwing around unsubstantiated small minded insults. |
paul mclafferty
said:
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... a quick change of subject... can anyone please tell me how on earth teams loke birmingham shitty and newcastle can be worth over 80 million when we were sold for 64 three years ago and we own our stadium with other things and brum is council owned???????? i know it was three years ago but villa's value hasnt gone up by that much or does anyone know how much it is valued? |
Cian Donaghy
said:
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... anyone else getting a jaded with club football at a broader level? just that the team with the most money wins, cant wait for the world cup now! |
paul mclafferty
said:
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... celtic_villan.. all you have to do is pretend the league starts at fifth place |
david
said:
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... Badger, I may be wrong, but I have a feeling that if Faccundo's thinking was not 'clouded by his personal vendetta' we'd see that there'd be nothing left. He doesn't strike me a deep thinking person. Faccundo...why is Lerner a 'liar'? Can you provide the links to comments he's made that have proved to be lies? |
Faccundo
said:
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... Badger No offence, but you should be looking up not down. I don't aim to regularly play championship football, so I don't even look at Small Heath. By that I mean, I agree with Damian in that I dont even consider the bluenoses our legitimate rivals anymore, they are simply clowns who I expect to beat everytime we play. Our references points should be Barca (cantera conveyor belt of talent - see Pedro and Sergio most recently, along with Xavi, Puyol, Iniesta, Messi, Busquets, Pique, Febregas) Bayern, Milan. That means spending, regularly qualifying for Champions League, allowing the manager the RESOURCES to compete in Europe. That means Lerner out |
Steve Badger
said:
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...can anyone please tell me how on earth teams loke birmingham shitty and newcastle can be worth over 80 million when we were sold for 64 three years ago and we own our stadium with other things and brum is council owned???????? I'm not sure it is council owned, is it? Anyway, don't forget just after Mr Lerner bought the club, the new $ky deal was done, giving vastly increased income. At the time Villa was sold, SHA would have been worth a fraction of Villa, given that we have £25 mill worth of land even after we sold some off. RL has definitely benefitted from that, so if he were to sell, the price now wouldn't be as astronomical as we think, imo. Mad though isn't it, in that SHA goes for over £80 mill, but Newcatle can't raise £100 mill? I know which I'd rather have at those prices. |
Josh
said:
|
... Holteend paul, Villa are worth over £100mn. thanks to the Europa League qualification, improved training ground, stadium expansion and the increased value of players at the club. |
paul mclafferty
said:
|
... lads,,every one of us has a opinion on things but lets try to keep the personal insults out of the discusion if its possible. |
Faccundo
said:
|
... r0bb0 Sorry I didn't realise you were football's equivalent of Descartes Personal vendettas - no, I simply understand football, its economics and that resources, while not the determining factor for success, are a prerequisite to permit success |
Steve Badger
said:
|
... Faccundo, Last comment as I'm getting sick of it. You're talking about the likes of clubs that are the biggest in the world. You just need to see that those sort of clubs are phenomenons and for all the looking up we can do, we'll never reach those heights. |
Adrian Kilgallon
said:
 |
... Pace im with you. I personally wouldn't trust MON to spend this money wisely if he did get a huge budget. He also would probably have an issue with paying the huge wages that it would require to bring any top player to the club. Faccundo did you not notice the push in Dunnes back for the first goal? Also why was he left to deal with 2 huge players on his own? Badger i think Villa have the most potential of any club right now that is under achieving. The population of Birmingham should really have Villa selling out a 60k seater stadium every week. I understand your fears but they are a worse case senario. Why not just believe that this would work and finally the huge potential of this club would be untilised. These guys in the middle east have so much money being generated every day that this would really be small change. Why would they walk away? We are currently going through the worst reccession in 60 years and if clubs don't go under now i really can't see it happen down the line when the world economy recoverys and grows again. |
FatKevs
said:
 |
... If it did go tits up the fans could then buy the club somehow like the Rover for a tenner |
FatKevs
said:
|
... we are already out of Europa & it sounds like the Yank is giving up already. He has no allegence to our club it was just a Toy |
Faccundo
said:
|
... Badger Yes - amongst the biggest clubs in the world is where I wish to see Villa And as AK said with Brum's population base and income demographics it is a feasible proposition We were there in 82, we can be there again. |
Steve Badger
said:
|
... ak_27, Badger i think Villa have the most potential of any club right now that is under achieving. The population of Birmingham should really have Villa selling out a 60k seater stadium every week. I agree and it's something I've often thought about. But we struggle to sell out now. I personally apportion a lot of blame for that on Ellis, but there you go, that's a different argument. I do question if we would fill a big stadium though, even with sustained CL. Also don't forget what happens to ticket prices when you attain that sort of standard. How much is a ticket for an Arsenal game?  I remember 50 odd thousand gates down the Villa and it was great, but I just don't ever see those days returning. As others have said, I really don't think the interest is there anymore. I guess there's only one way to find out. |
Faccundo
said:
|
... The dream 05/08/08 Gerenal Goebbels: “If Martin came to Randy and said “I need £30 million for player “X”...and this player would fit right into what we are trying to do and is the type of player that will take us where we want to go, then Randy would have his cheque out before Martin could get past the player’s name! “Additionally, he will be equally ready to fund the other players that Martin says we need. I have said it before, Randy has never said no.” The reality 14/05/09 MON: "Whether we are in the market to compete with the top four in terms of finance, that’s something else to be pondering." |
Adrian Kilgallon
said:
|
... I would be confident that if Villa were to invest in quality players and have a quality product style of football over time the ground would sell out most weeks. I think that a lot of fans are just glory hunters. These would be the ones that would bump the attendances up. I don't like that thought but that is how the big 4 sell their stadiums out each week. Would you see many liverpool, Utd, Chelsea tops being worn around Birmingham? |
Villalee1
said:
 |
... This story is incorrect and a little creative to say the least! Do not wish to reveal how I know but the selling of the club is not up for and has never been up for dicussion with the top of Villas tree. These guys have contacts all over the world so investment from others would stack up? Randy aint for moving anytime soon not with the money he is spending ready for Villa to compete. Preperation Champions league would be the mission name if it were a military operation. Please hold fire this story will break shortly! |
paul mclafferty
said:
|
... badger... can i ask your age as i am knocking 41 and can only remember villa park having 48 thousand capacity. but i do agree if we finished in th cl places we could or have the potential to fill a 60k stadium. |
linden
said:
|
... apologies Damian for my early mornig rant at the top of this page but c'mon guys, enough of the financial, superficial jargon concerning our owners etc What about tomorrows game? Most teams come to VP to sit back and null our threat from our over used and over exposed counter attacking threat However I dont feel Manchester City will be opting for this style of play, they will be going for the win, infront of a large Worldwide audience (thanks to Sky, foreign TV rights and t'internet) This will play into our hands. Man City are a great team of individuals, likely to be spurred on by the return of Adebayor. They will stretch us throughout the game. But i do feel they are vulnerable to the counter attack at the back, and especially at set pieces. Our 2 main strengths. I feel an open game is on the cards, with plenty of chances for both teams. Hopefully we can take ours and they waste theres. I feel a win i achievable but a draw seems more likely Either way i will be there in my usual seat roaring on the boys. C'MON VILLA |
Steve Badger
said:
|
... Paul, I'm 47. Definitely remember 52,000 against the scum and I have it in my head a 54,000, but might be wrong on that one. I'll see if I can find out. |
Damian
said:
|
... linden i was having lunch and we are all allowed early morning rants to have your comments come up straight away - you need to register |
paul mclafferty
said:
|
... linden... stop being so hasty, the match blog will surely be posted later as for now we are talkin about somthing else of interest O.K |
THE AV VILLAN
said:
 |
... Damo - where have you got this info?? The only place i can find it is in the Sunday Star?? Surely the Star is not strong enough evidence to cause world war 3 on here??? Link please |
gareth horton
said:
 |
... damien i hate to think of how mon would waste that kind of money the man would be lost the only time he has had any kind of money to spend has been with us and look at the pigs ear he has made of that mon can only would with hard working honest players who he can get the best out of if he cant handle the ego of our nrc then imagine what it would be like if we had half a dozen top players with all sorts of egos floating around god it would be like wrestlemania everyday in training |
Damian
said:
|
... THE AV VILLAN I didn't know it was in the star - try looking at the first sentence of the post .. |
paul mclafferty
said:
|
... damian... its exact the same aricle in both papers, so now its in the star can we breath a little easier now. |
Damian
said:
|
... sorry. didn't know and sorry THE AV VILLAN for short response. doing this on phone. thing is, i've said this throughout, it is speculation however, it does also make sense |
GPalmer
said:
 |
... Newspapers have to fill column inches, but if there is any truth to this I think it'd be as it's put - additional investment for a minority shareholding stake rather than a complete sell-up. Lerner's behaviour since becoming Chairman doesn't suggest he'd up-sticks after three years. |
jerry
said:
 |
... It’s in the Nationals, so there has to be some truth in it. It’s the smart move. Lerner does not have the financial clout to move us to the top. He will know this and he will sell in order to protect his own investment. Villa is a saleable commodity at the moment – in six months time things may have changed. Man City will likely join the top four. And the present top 4 team/s at risk will do whatever they need to protect their status. It will get vicious and nasty. Everton, Villa, maybe Spurs are going to fight it out for the minor places. It will be fun to watch, but like I said the other day, Lerner will do what any businessman needs to do to protect his dough. Mike Ashley is trying to do the same thing but, until they’re promoted, Newcastle is not a saleable commodity. Plus, Ashley has made more bone-headed moves than I believed possible. The paper article says Lerner fears Villa will not be able to hang on to their best players and that also will inevitably become true, which will make us less attractive. Now is the time to sell. It’s the smart move and therefore is the right thing for Villa. Eoin: whats the problem? For 5 years we would have lived the dream. This has to be right. Both Leeds and Newcastle are living a new dream now. I remember the old third division. I followed the team round the country and It was tremendous fun. And we had a dream. Holteend paul: and as you say in ten years we do a leeds then to be honest i would take that mate instead of living in mid table misery every season. and if it did happen then we could enjoy being reinvented as leeds fans are enjoying now because at the moment they are winnig more than us as in promotion and so on, ok it might not be the premiership but they still harbour hopes and a goal. When I read this, I was quite moved. We can stop worrying about the future, the football gods have already planned our fate and it will be a rollercoaster ride, come what may. Interestingly, O’Neill will have known about this for some time. I wonder how he feels about it. |
Faccundo
said:
|
... I agree with Churchill Embrace the rollercoaster I wrote a post title risk/reward saying the same thing 3-4 months ago |
Alistair
said:
 |
... I have lived in the Middle East for 5 years now and I can assure you that no Sheikh is buying any club as a 'toy' - if a club is not making money they will sell it - without a care of who to I might add. There is absolutely no chance of: "the new owner spending £300mn, us winning the league, the FA Cup, the Champions League and him not leaving and him giving ´as a gift´ the club all the money and writing it off as such." Sheikhs might have a lot of capital but that doesn't mean they are going to give it away any more than any other businessman will. |
greg1982
said:
 |
... Why does everyone talk about doing a Leeds? They were a one off in a context of another era. Following their example, and the current financial turmoil, everyone is more cautious and a repeat of that will never happen – although, that said, the collective football bubble will definitely burst. No doubt about it. The present model simply doesn’t hold. Villa gates are down as are crowds in general, and fans are getting increasingly put off by the huge earnings of players and the culture of football. And I bet one thing: At the present rate Leeds will beat us back to the top of the league. It’s not as if they’ve gone. In two years they will be at VP giving us a pasting if we don’t move on more quickly. My worry with the Villa is that we have been loitering in the middle order for decades. Yes I’m, boring about it but we haven’t had a constant team of quality in 80 years. I would prefer failure and regression along with having a tilt for the top. Sometimes your reach needs to exceed your grasp… This is why us fans are crucial. We are the past, the present and the future. We are the Villa not MON, the players, Martin or Randy. We are the Villa. |
ruffy
said:
 |
... NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO.! You've all got your short term Glory heads on haven't you? It took Ellis a very long time to find what seemed to be genuine buyer for the club who was a fan and had a long term view with the best interests of the supporters. Randy has done a great job transforming the club so thus far, WITHOUT DISREGARDING OUR PROUD HISTORY OR THE NEEDS OF SUPPORTERS. BUT. I FOR ONE DO NOT WANT OUR CLUB BECOMING THE PLAY THING OF SOME SUPER RICH OIL BARRON, WHO WILL SELL OUT AS SOON AS HE GETS BORED WITH IT OR THINGS DON'T GO TO PLAN, PROBABLY WHACK UP SEASON TICKET PRICES AND PUT ASIA AIRLINES ON THE SHIRT INSTEAD OF ACORNS HOSPICE. We need serious, long term minded people who understand both the feelings of the fans and the history and culture of the club. Dont let us sell everything we've ever stood for to any old fat cat that wants a toy. WE ARE ASTON VILLA. EST 1874. |
paul mclafferty
said:
|
... well said greg anyway ive just read vital villa and the authority who calls himself mr fear says its all rubbish, so thats final. |
ruffy
said:
|
... Can I just say to all the Gareth Barry haters out there. Grow up. Please dont act childish by booing Gareth on Monday Night. He served Villa for 12 years and was brilliant for us. I wonder how many of us have stayed loyal for that long in any aspects of our lives? |
Damian
said:
|
... ruffy what is to say though that if there were a new owner he wouldn´t be just as good or better? and as it is, our club is very much a play thing of a rich american who has never had to do a proper days work in his life as for the barry comments. you pay me £10k a week, let alone what he was earning and i´ll be loyal to you and only you for the rest of our lives |
Steve Badger
said:
|
... no10, was at sunderland game late seventys sure there was 54000 there Promotion year, when us and Man u went up? I think you're right IIRC, the Witton end had stupid amounts in and they were overflowing onto the back slope of the hill Happy days when there used to be an atmosphere. I'm going to try and sneak this past Damian, but remember the song that went to the tune of "I'm only a poor little sparrow"? He's only a poor little blues fan, his face is all tattered and torn, he made me feel sick, so I hit him with a brick and now he don't sing anymore. Of course, I don't condone violence, but that one always tickled me. Funny as F*** Cheered me up anyway  |
Steve Badger
said:
|
... Fear seems to be pretty certain that the story is a load of pony, although i don't know who his source is and it wouldn't surprise me if it was true. Ah well, at least it caused a nice bit of debate Bit worried about tomorrow night, tbh |
Adrian Kilgallon
said:
|
... Arsenal are playing some football. They are a joy to watch when they are playing like this. |
bobvillian
said:
 |
... the progress made by randy has been brillant;why o why do we want someone else to take care of our club.ok he has not got the millions like man city;but he done everythink we fans have asked for like major improvements to ground;holte pub ect.do we really want to risk ending up like leeds;portsmouth;newcastle in dire trouble think again villa fans |
pete
said:
 |
... Badger, as you know same era as you, just dug out old aston villa programme price 10p against man utd crowd just over 51,000 team: jim cumbes john robson charlie aiken ian ross chris nicholl bobby mcdonald ray graydon brian little keith leonard ian hamilton (chico) frank carrodus man u team: a stepney a forsyth s huston b greenhoff s james m buchan willie morgan (on the wing) s mcilroy s pearson shit on the lou macari tony young just a bit of info for you |
Andi
said:
 |
... Lerner is not selling up he is mearly looking for investment into the club to help us compete where in the article does it say selling the club ? chinese whispers from the site again |
Steve Taylor
said:
 |
... If Lerner does sell up maybe we could change the Dead Ellis stand to honour someone who did try to make a difference |
Steve Badger
said:
|
... villabiker, nice one mate Good side that was, remember them all well. Ray Graydon, eh? Faccundo, if you think Dunne is a drunkard, let me tell you Graydon drunk more in a night than Dunne has ever drunk in a week, I'll wager. Total piss-head of the highest order. Looking at that Manure side, even then they were the darlings, weren't they?  Mind you, good side too, so fair play I suppose. I expected to Stevie Coppell in that side, but it must have been a bit later. Great winger he was, imo. Cheers for that, it seems like just a few years ago to me, but no doubt seems totally ancient to some our younger posters |
John Clark
said:
 |
... I've wondered for a while whether RL would seek outside investors. I do believe it's possible for him to assemble a group of investors while remaining in charge of the club, so "looking for investment" doesn't necessarily mean that he's looking to sell, or that any investment would require selling. However, as Damian says, if you're looking at a single investor, it might very well mean selling. But he could, for example, be looking for 4 people to chip in £25m apiece for a £100m spend on players. I think RL has done well for Villa, and would still be looking to stay, but obviously he can see that the amounts of money being spent to be at the top are beyond his own personal wealth. It seems to me that if Villa are a 5th-10th level club, a pure £100m spent on players and wages might be enough to push on. If three quality players were brought in, a deadly finisher, a true string-puller in midfield, and a "take your pick," I think there's enough spine to this team to challenge. |
John Clark
said:
|
... And I should say, while I am a "purist" of sorts, the situation is what it is: There is no cap. But I do wonder, and I've been one of MON's biggest supporters, whether he'd be the one to take us further, ie, would we trust him to spend the money? As I posted at the tail-end of a thread a few days ago, I think MON's issue is "player power." It's not that he doesn't understand the modern game or transfer market, but that he's disinclined to accept the balance of power has shifted to players. To me, it explains almost everything we've seen him do, from the type of players he buys to the way he's handled NRC and Carew. I don't know that he'd accept the sort of egos and wages, etc., that come with the sorts of players we'd need to push on. |
Steve Badger
said:
|
...To me, it explains almost everything we've seen him do, from the type of players he buys to the way he's handled NRC and Carew. I don't know that he'd accept the sort of egos and wages, etc., that come with the sorts of players we'd need to push on. This is fair comment. But I don't see it as a bad thing. Indeed, I'd say it puts him on a par with SAF and Wenger, in that he won't take any sh*t. SAF let the biggest name in the world go twice and Wenger always seems to know when to sell. Perhaps MON just needs some more experience with egos? One question though. Where does this idea that MON won't pay wages come from? I'm sick of saying this, but it's on record that he paid over the odds wages at Leicester and Celtic. |
afvcbob
said:
 |
... Well said Holte End Paul - my misses think the same, always second best to the greatest team in the world. I wouldn't have it any other way, I want the Villa to be winning silverware in my lifetime so if Leaner sells to a multi billionaire who can invest in my club and give me endless years of being the greatest team in the football world I for one will be be shouting Yippe Yi a Yippe Yi Oh and thank you Randy |
Adrian Kilgallon
said:
|
... Badger the wages thing comes from having both Diarra and Defoe in his office Jan 2 years ago and neither signed but opted for Pompy instead who at the time were just after surviving relegation the season before. All down to not paying the going rate in wages or down to MON not knowing talent when it is sitting accross a table from himself. |
John Clark
said:
|
... Badger: I guess that's the question...If he had the money, would he be able to do like SAF and Wenger, they way they handle the egos and attitudes. Or would he cut off his nose to spite his face, avoiding them altogether? I truly don't know, but I just get this feeling that in his gut, MON despises player power (since 180 degrees different from his days playing, growing up, etc.), and his unwillingness to accept it might be his Achilles' Heel. Would be very interesting to see what he did if we knew for a fact he had the money (since we've all been left to inferring/deducing the situation the last couple years). |
John Clark
said:
|
... And you're right, Badger, those two don't take any sh*t. But they seem to be a bit more adept juggling it all, or at least willing to accept certain facts, if what I'm suggesting about MON has any truth to it. MON just seemingly, in that theory, chooses to avoid it all in the first place, ie, he simply wouldn't buy Ronaldo, rather than buy, deal with him, and all that. |
Steve Badger
said:
|
... ak-27, I believe you're wrong mate. You're talking about totally stupid wages which is what put Pompey in the position they are today and the only reason the players would go to a crap (sorry but it's true and you know it) club like that. There is a difference. As I hinted, both the Leicester chairman and Strachan commented on the wages that were being paid to players signed by MON, as being too much. MON has already said he won't pay stupid wages and I believe he's correct to take that stance. We just can't afford £100k a week, simple. |
Adrian Kilgallon
said:
|
... Badger it will take us paying stupid wages to get players to come to Birmingham also. Especially at the start until we actually did something like get CL spot. It will take huge wages to get a young up and coming world star to come here instead of going to London or one of the big clubs. We are talking about if we got huge investment and it will take wages of 80k plus to bring the talent here. They will get it elsewhere and unless you match it why would they come here in the first place? |
Steve Badger
said:
|
... Kohoutek, You make very good points. I don't know about the 180 u-turn though. MON has basically slated himself for being too trappy and moaning. I'd guess he has half an idea about how stroppy players think. By the same token, I bet he does despise player power, much as I do, because it's simply wrong, imo. I'd totally accept though that he has to get his head around it. My hope is that he will, purely because I think he's the man for us. Perhaps that's somewhat blinkered/biased and maybe that would be correct. But give me MON over Mourinho any day, as I truly believe he doesn't give a toss about any of the clubs he's been at. ak-27, It will take huge wages to get a young up and coming world star to come here instead of going to London or one of the big clubs. I happen to think we already have at least one and maybe two in AY and GA. I do take your point though. Unless we do a Chelski/Citeh thing, I doubt we'll hold onto them. But that's always been the way. Even when we did the ultimate business |
Daniel Mckay
said:
 |
... Absolute trash paper talk and post Damian. First of all this morning paper has got the blood pumping straight out of your head and into your boots! He is an invester not a loan shark! A invester will hold onto it for years to come unless he was offered a offer he could not refuse. As he is "looking" for investment this is just dribble and can say safely you and anyone else who has a hard on for the money city have can wake up! Love the way Villa are going and want Randy to carry on spending £25 - £30 million a year on transfers with the right man in MON. |
afvcbob
said:
|
... Faccuudo Whats wrong mate have you forgotten the bad days and why the downer on Randy Leaner. He has, over the last 3 years been the best thing to happen to my club. I know it could be a lot better but at the same way it could be a lot f**king worse. If he does sell ups I still think you will have the same opinion of the new owners because people like you are only happy when you can write your drivel on this site UTV If you do support them? |
Steve Badger
said:
|
...Absolute trash paper talk D'you reckon? I suspect there is something in it myself. I don't see that papers 100% make up this kind of story. Transfer rumours, yes, but not this sort of thing, imo. Maybe it's been misconstrued in that it's all about sponsorship talks? |
THE AV VILLAN
said:
|
... No worries Damo, I'm just a little aprehensive about the whole idea. I was kind of looking forward to Randy spending another 50 million next summer on some real stars, now that we have a decent sized squad. However i suppose if he is seeking investment then i guess he aint got the cash to keep pumping it in. I guess time will tell. Really think there is 3 points available tomorrow night!! UTV!!!! |
John Clark
said:
|
... Nah, Badger, I would imagine he's after some investors, spread the risks, bring in a sum. Perhaps it has something to do with juggling expansion at the ground and the player stuff. But right now, it seems it would take a brave man to look at enlarging the ground since Villa can hardly fill it now. But perhaps the expansion is seen as increasing the overall value of the investment in terms of a hard asset, as it seems there won't be increased turnover unless Villa can take the next step. |
John Clark
said:
|
... And I have to admit, after watching Sunderland play yesterday, that perhaps we've not gotten as much value for money as we could've. Even if Utd. weren't at their best, Sunderland played better and looked better than Villa have yet this season. |
Steve Badger
said:
|
... Utd look off the mark to me, but I'm sure they'll come back strong. As for our players, well it's all been said, so I won't go into it. Citeh, I'm worried about. Chelski, we'll give them a game. Sunderland in the cup will be interesting to say the least, imo. |
Ammar
said:
 |
... Badger said: ... This is fair comment. But I don't see it as a bad thing. Indeed, I'd say it puts him on a par with SAF and Wenger, in that he won't take any sh*t. SAF let the biggest name in the world go twice and Wenger always seems to know when to sell. Its mordern football were a player may earn 3 times the amount his manager earns. SAF & Wenger can handle these players as they have history and are proven in the premiership i.e Trophies in the cabinet. Look at Ronaldo kept him long enough to win enough trophies in his time there. Any Villa fan would envy that kind of success he gave to manure. So if a player is disruptive but produces the goods i don't really care as its on the pitch that matters. i,e Ronaldo,Drogba,Van Persie,Mascherano. Its the bagage you probably get with quality players nowadays and would love it if any of these players were to come and join us. On the selling of the club in a few years time a point that has not been mentioned here there may be a european league developing and we really need to be in a position to be part of that group or fall behind forever. History is great but no i don't want to live in the past i want to look forward to the future. If RL does not have the financial clout and we can get a rich Arab even for 5 years bring it on is what i say. I can see only one way for a club if the investment is not forthcoming and us slipping backwards and living of past memories. Porthsmout and Leeds scenario's are ones were it was not down to revenue but basically mis-handling and bungs which is why they are were they are. How about city were there once new Thai owner goes and sells them to the Arabs and in a couple of seasons they will be force in world football. I would love it if i can talk about us in the same vain soon... |
john franey
said:
 |
... Off topic im going to the game tomorrow night is there anywhere nice near the ground that you could get a few beers and a bit of grub before the match damo? |
john franey
said:
|
... Holteendpaul Im leaving from dublin airport at half 6 in the morning then on 2 birmingham city centre was planning on goin 2 the ground around 6 2moro evening |
matt26may1982
said:
 |
... Lerner seems to be fully committed to villa, why go now when this season could turn out to be a good one if MON stops being stubborn about formation, NRC and starting his pet Heskey before Carew. And he doesnt need investment, if he wanted to spend £100m next season on players he could but wont because he is a business man and is being prudent like Ellis was. Although i think there is a fine line in what we could get away with spending and think its more than what we spent this term by about £10-20m!! |
matthew halsey
said:
|
... Lerner seems to be fully committed to villa, why go now when this season could turn out to be a good one if MON stops being stubborn about formation, NRC, starting his pet Heskey before Carew. And he doesnt need investment, if he wanted to spend £100m next season on players he could but wont because he is a business man and is being prudent like Ellis was. Although i think there is a fine line in what we could get away with spending and think its ore than |
paul mclafferty
said:
|
... wicklow.. i drink in the ruskin hall social club which luck would have it is irish lol it gets a good crowd in and the banter is ok it has a chippy 30 yards around the corner but i would eat in town before you get anywhere near the ground. |
FatKevs
said:
|
... Wicklow get there early & go to the refurbed holte pub it is available to season ticket holders at £4, show them your flight tickets & I am sure they will let you in. A bit pricey but make night of it there is great grub available |
john franey
said:
|
... holteend paul,Cheers.btw im going with a man city fan and he thinks they are going to beat us at least 2 or 3 nil.I hope he has to eat his words. |
James Clift
said:
|
... holteend paul, I also drink in the Ruskin before games have done for years, Its a dump but I love it! |
paul mclafferty
said:
|
... jimbo.. ive drank in there since the eighties as its brill for the motorway to get home as it will be the same for you? |
john franey
said:
|
......jimbo im tryin to get away from them for a day lol |
James Clift
said:
|
... Wicklow, I can see your City fan mate going home gutted, We'll beat them tomorrow. |
john franey
said:
|
... Jimbo,I hope ur right and we stuff them,I also hope im not bad luck iv yet to see us win a game at villa park the last game i went to we were beaten 1 nil by sunderland a few seasons back so my luck has to change eventually and if we dont win instead of blamin formations tactics etc you can always blame me lol |
Car Frost
said:
 |
... I think MON thinks there could be a law coming in the next 5 years regarding how many Englishmen are required in a squad, if that does happen then he's spent very well indeed, and Randy... top man. |
Villa Sparton
said:
 |
... You could have it wrong about Lerner selling, the yanks want him out at the Browns. I hope he sells, it would mean more funds for us and more focus, i would question whether O'Neil would cope with a large pot of money though. |
holteboy
said:
 |
... i dont want us to be like City i want local boys in the team - or young players who developed with us - not international merceneries - dont want another owner - I want stability and to support the team, chairman and manager we have now and the development of the club. This may sound old fashioned to some ... |
Andi
said:
|
... I am sorry but read the reports properly NO WHERE does it say WE ARE BEING SOLD or LEARNER WANTS OUT you have took 2 and 2 and come up with 6. Cause it is possible for investment without buying the club i.e Arsenl Emeriates stadium anyone. Now the heading of this article suggests we are being sold and whats more to some SHEIK, when Learner is merely looking for investment and it even tells you in the article Learner is unlikely to give up control so how have you got to the conclusion we are being sold ??? |
ruffy
said:
|
... The Club isn't Lerners play thing, we have been VERY lucky to get this kind of owner. How many other clubs have given up the front of their shirts and spent millions of pounds renovating buildings which are only for fans? Randy clearly isn't your everyday football club owner, he is a proper sports fan who sees things through the eyes of a fan as well as a businessman. Ellis didn't get us anywhere near our potential, but we owe him thanks for selling to the right man. Damien- I was angry as hell when Gareth left, but trust me, you'd only work for me until someone else came in with £20k. Hell, if I gave you £500k you'd sell this website to me and let me change the name to City forever blog. Hypocrite. |
Falmouth Villan
said:
 |
... Badger & Villabiker...great memories of the old days made me laugh about falling down the back of the Witton end, getting covered in mud then the old lady giving us a belting ha ha, do you remember the claret & blue football shapped snack kiosk at the top? Talking of songs you dont hear anymore have not heard the old "as i walked upto the steps of the holte end" for ages or is it because i sit in trinity road now most of the time. Happy days! UTV |
frankie
said:
 |
... there are claimes that o'neill is goin to red scouse shit has someone else heard this |
pip head
said:
 |
... I think that Randy Learner should do what he thinks whould be the best for Aston Vill footbll club, and if that means selling the club to a foreign owner then so be it. If the knew owner has bags of money and he can invest in the club and give ud the funds we need to contest with the big and and maybe get champions league then he should sell up. |
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