Recent reports had suggested that former Sheffield Wednesday and Portsmouth owner Milan Mandaric was interested in buying Aston Villa. It was suggested the club fixer had turned his attentions to us after his couple of years out of the game and would naturally be confident of righting our financial wrongs as he’s done to reasonable effect at previous clubs – he left both Sheffield Wednesday and Portsmouth in a better state than he found them, but whether you find parity in that belief amongst their fanbases itself I’d be surprised.
Either way it didn’t seem that left field an idea when it came out on the rumour mill, even if actual specifics were unknown and plenty of assumptions were made based on reports of Dr Tony Xia turning down offers that met his believed requirements for investment into the club.
The Mirror quote him talking about the topic and whilst he admits he is advising an unnamed consortium who have an interest in us, he denies fronting a bid himself as his focus remains on Slovenian club NK Olimpija Ljubljana.
The 79-year-old explained.
“Aston Villa is an historic big English club. But on the other hand I just cannot really say I am making any moves at this time. There is a group of people who know me quite well and if I can help them to move forward I will do this. They have asked for my advice. But at this time I couldn’t say I am part of a takeover.”
He clarified that it wouldn’t be fair to his current club if he diverted his interests as they are about to embark on a Europa League adventure, and nor would it be fair on a club in England to have his time split in Slovenia either. So he repeats he’s willing to help and advise, rather than be involved directly in a takeover.
I would imagine most will read into those comments what they want to as it is quite open ended in all honesty.
