Takeovers – The Talk Of The Town

Randy Lerner has kept his intentions to himself but has now spoken of his interest in Aston Villa.

People have said that he was ‘out’ of the deal last week, but as no bids have gone in, he was never ‘in’. Until we get official bids, then the rest is just people looking, talking and considering.

Randy Lerner said: ‘I’ve been open and interested to some extent. There are opportunities, but they are nothing more than opportunities. I think my concern is if I put myself in a position to speak clearly on it, I’m going to be misleading. I’m hesitant to do anything more than that.’

Exactly how it should be. The time we want ANY group to talk to us is surely AFTER they have talked to Rothschild. I can’t understand the approaches via the press, they make no sense at all. Put the money on the table, then come and talk is surely the way to go about it and also to help control the media frenzy?

Michael Neville’s name is still in the hat, we’ll maybe find out more next week as to whether his indicative bid will be taken further.

There are also other groups, one including Athole Still, the agent of former England manager Sven Goran Eriksson. Papers today claim that Sven will be part of the investment group BUT NOT the manager as he fears the fans might still be hostile to him at this present time.

Lets just hope that there is less talk next week and that the bids finally do come in. Lets also hope that it is Rothschild who do the negotiating, checking out the finances and then put their finding to the board.

In the meantime, we should hope that no new manager is brought in. Some reports suggest the board of Villa are about to offer fans choice Martin O’Neill the hot seat but it would surely be best for all concerned if he isn’t unveiled until the new board are in place? That said, if he is brought in, then maybe it means a new board are set to be put in place?

With Villa, who knows?

One thing is for certain, it is now or never. Firstly for Ellis to go and secondly for Martin O’Neill to come. Could become a very good week for us all, maybe it is time to tentatively get that bottle of champagne on ice, or at least make an indicative bid at your local wine seller and see what you can negotiate!