Dr Tony Xia’s statement on Friday evening when most were winding down from a busy week at work certainly set tongues wagging on Aston Villa’s social media pages.
With his ‘explanation’ of the current state of play at Aston Villa – I’ll leave my thoughts for a separate piece – he certainly covered a few topics as he attempted to quell concerns and speculation but I’m tempted to think that spectacularly backfired given the guff headlines I’m seeing from the usual outlets now.
For some, the statement certainly worked though they are calmer and happier and Xia sees some trust and faith returned for them. Better, his statement has managed to re-engage some other debates like the future of Steve Bruce for example and we have fans from all walks of life picking and choosing what they like/hate/conveniently forget to suit their own perspectives on our gaffer.
That took a fair portion of its own on the social media reactions although I’m still clueless why that took precedence for some fans given the enormity of what was said and more importantly wasn’t said – but, each to their own.
As a fan of Scott Hogan and knowing we don’t use him to his strengths, I have to say anyone who thinks he’s our best target man and Grabban is a better winger needs to boil their head though.
To his statement…
@Dr_TonyXia can't win. Silence = criticism. Full and, I believe, a full and honest account of the situation the club are in = criticism. What should he do next?
— Meow 'Ead (@Somnia_Perdita) July 6, 2018
Leave
— gentrification_of_me (@percylittlep) July 6, 2018
A lot of fans want him gone aswell though
— Brekke???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? (@STComboed) July 6, 2018
The man who’s signed all the old guard, failed to get us promoted and put all his eggs in a basket that failed by playing like he did in the 1st half of the PL final knowing the repercussions? ????
— Fletch (@itsf73tch) July 6, 2018
People still prob fill this feed up about the Training kits and @JackGrealish1 ????
— CAUSER® (@CAU80SER) July 6, 2018
We are not fickle we just dont like o'leary????
— Malcywhitehouse (@malcywhitehouse) July 6, 2018
Player trade? Sell Jack basically? Then keep Bruce? FFS that’s my living nightmare
— David Nealon (@Dpn76) July 6, 2018
Fair play after weeks of silence he has come out and said many positive things, we all knew we were in trouble after Wembley but he hasn’t sold our to the highest bidder I believe he has villa at heart #utv #fightlikelions
— David Betteridge (@dbetteridge73) July 6, 2018
You may be our owner, but Villa will never be your club. You’re the most pathetic and incompetent figure I’ve ever seen in football. Hang your head in shame and please – PLEASE! – leave our club. #avfc #xiaout #bruceout
— #12Andy (@norvillan) July 6, 2018
The only time I can remember him finishing a tweet without UTV were in the crap big time and I'll be surprised if we stay up with the current plight
— David B (@BowkettDavid) July 6, 2018
The open letter that won't open. Amazing stuff Doc.
— ⚽️GrassrootsCoach???? (@TheTremontiPick) July 6, 2018
So many words, yet so little said. Xia had no part in this document – he merely approved it – instead we get a young Grimer Wormtongue – fresh from a Media Studies course – spouting meaningless bullshit. Pathetic.
— Son Lyme (@Son_Lyme) July 6, 2018
I'm afraid Xia has used up all goodwill with me.
The warnings and doubts when he came are coming home to roost.
A self proclaimed billionaire – yet unknown by his own nation's business press.
Now we sell our best to pay for his errors.
Was that what he promisedv when he came?— Son Lyme (@Son_Lyme) July 6, 2018
Thanks for answering the questions that have been asked. The media is full of enemies to AVFC, we have to make big financial adjustments, but most of the stuff written in the UK media is absolute crap.
Time to support Villa no matter what.
FAIR WEATHER FANS SHOULD JUST GO.
— Pingu_Dream (@Pingu_Dream) July 7, 2018
Now that is an update! Apologies for any previous outbursts. @Dr_TonyXia you've won me back.@retsub12 can still go swivel.
— William Hughes (@WilliamHughes4) July 6, 2018