Match Preview: Villa v Forest

by Dek Hogan

Who are we playing? 
Nottingham Forest on Sunday 11th September at 1.15pm

Where are we playing?
Villa Park, you know where it is.
.

Can I go? Should be tickets available but loads of people are up for this one. Should be another large gate despite the telly.

Easy to get to?
We all know how shite the trains can be on Sunday. The roads should be OK though.

Can I watch it on telly
Sky Sports provide live coverage but surely you'd rather be there? If you can, get your behind down Villa Park and make some noise because the Forest support will be.

Big game?
HUGE.

Time to get some points on the board and no mistake.

The utter debacle that was the second half at Bristol City is probably best forgotten. The international break and the excitement of the transfer window slamming shut will have helped in that regard.

Unfortunately, sections of our home support have a history at getting on new players backs from the get-go if they turn about to be as good as Messi in the first few minutes of their debuts.

Two things to say about that:

1. For fuck's sake, give the newbies as chance. Some have already written Jedinak off after his poor showing at Ashton Gate. This is NUTS. He wasn't great but IT TAKES TIME TO SETTLE IN. Put your brain into gear before shouting your mouth off and give the newbies a fucking chance.

2. This is just the start of the rebuild. Don't throw your hands up in despair if things don't go totally our way. We are a the beginning of may well be a rollercoaster journey.

All that said, if we are to be consider amongst the promotion hopefuls, we need to start winning matches and two home wins in quick succession would propel us dramatically up the table.

Two home defeats and the harbingers of doom (there's fucking loads of them on Twitter) will be writing the club's obituary yet again.

Forest's three wins have all come at home. They'll compete but we should have enough IF we take our chances.

Do Nottingham Forest boast any famous fans?
There's Carl Froch off of the boxing.

We've got the bloke that writes the Jack Reacher books. (Tiny Tom Cruise playing Jack in the movies. What were they thinking?)

So we win.

Who's playing for us?
We've just got to hope that everyone came back from international duty unscathed. Jack was sent home from England U21 duty with a sore knee for example.

The new lads will be pressing for a start.

Who's playing for them?
Britt Assombalonga is facing a battle to recover from his hamstring problem. Apostolos Vellios is likely to lead the line

Any useless stats?

Of course, here you go:

• We last faced Forest in 1999 in the Premier League. we won 2-0 at Villa Park thanks to goals from Mark Draper and Gareth Barry.

• We have 57 wins over them while they've beaten us on 37 occasions. There have been 28 draws.

• The last time we faced Nottingham in the second tier of English football was in March 1975 at the City Ground. We won 3-2 with Ray Graydon netting twice and Brian Little getting on the scoresheet. The game just a week after Villa's triumph over Norwich in the League Cup Final.

Prediction
A 3-1 Villa win.

Adama shipped out to Smoggieland

Adama

Middlesbrough have signed Villa misfit Adama Traore .

Traore, a 20-year-old winger, joined Villa from Barcelona last year but failed to make an impact under three different managers.

He has signed a four-year contract with Premier League side Middlesbrough.

Boro boss Aitor Karankasaid "He is another important player and I am expecting a lot from him.

"I've known him since he was a kid. He went into the national team just after I left, but I know all about him and what he can do. His level is higher than he showed last season, but in the right environment I'm hoping that he will show what he is capable of."

AA joins the Villa

Albert Adomah is the latest player to join Roberto Di Matteo's Villa revolution.

The Ghana international underwent a medical at the club’s Bodymoor Heath training ground this morning and was unveiled as a Villa player at lunchtime.

Adomah, who joined Boro in August 2013, has agreed a three-year contract and is set to make his debut against Nottingham Forest on Sunday, September 11.

Adomah was signed by Tony Mowbray three years ago for a £1m fee.

Welcome to Villa, Adomah! #UTV @AVFCOfficial pic.twitter.com/ZE5SlOgQ8p

— Dr. Tony Xia (@Dr_TonyXia) August 31, 2016

Villa bag a new striker off of Bristol City

Jonathan Kodjia has joined from Bristol City in an £11m deal which might rise to £15m.

The goalscorer has put his moniker on a four-year contract.


Villa boss Roberto Di Matteo said “We are really pleased to have secured the services of Jonathan.

“He is a proven goalscorer and hopefully he’ll play an important part in what we hope will be a successful season for the club.”

Kodjia is an Ivory Coast international who joined City for around £2m from Angers last summer.

City reckon the deal is worth more than four times their previous record sale – when Ade Akinbiyi joined Wolves in September 1999 for £3.5m – and includes a sell-on clause.

Joleon Lescott pisses off to Greece.

Πέρασε τα ιατρικά στο Ιατρικό Κέντρο Αθηνών ο Τζόλεον Λέσκοτ είναι στα γραφεία της ΠΑΕ για τις τελικές συζητήσεις pic.twitter.com/mYmgdTMgZv

— AEK F.C. (@AEK_FC_OFFICIAL) August 29, 2016

Λίγο πριν από τις υπογραφές... pic.twitter.com/km6WRbl9Gz

— AEK F.C. (@AEK_FC_OFFICIAL) August 29, 2016

Είναι πλέον γεγονός...
Σε λίγο η επίσημη ανακοίνωση! pic.twitter.com/yWhA17j7HK

— AEK F.C. (@AEK_FC_OFFICIAL) August 29, 2016

5 bullet points from Bristol

• It may be a marathon, not a Snickers, but every journey starts with a first step. Our journey always seems to comprise of several backward steps. We collapsed yesterday, just at a point where we thought we were turning a corner. It hurt.

• Point is, we should have, could have had all three points wrapped up by half-time. A big issue was Jordan Ayew, who needs to appreciate it's a team game rather than going for glory. If he can't stop being a greedy fucker, there's no way he should be in the side.

• Some say it's being harsh on Gollini, but he could have done better with the first City goal (after which we crumbled completely). Trouble is, he cost us points at Sheffield and in the Huddersfield match so he's rapidly using up his goodwill. 

• Some hailed the signing of Mile Jedinak as the arrival of the new Messiah. Many more performances like that one and he'll get crucified. First impressions stick and that wasn't a great one. Needs to sort himself out for the Forest game. Hopefully, he'll look better when Tsh returns to the team.

• It's easy to say "be patient" and "give the team time to gel". It's much harder to actually do. 

CONFIRMED: Jores Okore buggers off to Denmark

Jores Okore skifter til F.C. København #fcklive https://t.co/73wPzv1oYl pic.twitter.com/1SWsU1wrdz

— F.C. København (@FCKobenhavn) August 27, 2016

CONFIRMED: Joe Bennett buggering off to Cardiff

We have agreed to let Joe move to Cardiff for free but not subside any wages . Wish him a bright career there as many SW fans expected!

— Dr. Tony Xia (@Dr_TonyXia) August 26, 2016

Can you get anymore disrespectful tweeting about a players career like somebody has the last week

— Joe Bennett (@JoeBennett27) August 26, 2016

#BennettIsABluebird | #CardiffCity are pleased to confirm the signing of @joebennett27 >>> https://t.co/FIkARQmTJw pic.twitter.com/Z07KM1prT2

— Cardiff City FC (@CardiffCityFC) August 27, 2016

"My comment yesterday had nothing to do about contracts or fans. 

"It was simply that I didn't want my situation to be aired all over Twitter before anything had been sorted. 

"I just want to wish the club all the best for this season a massive club with loyal fans who have supported me even through the tough times the club has faced. Hope the club get back to where they belong! good luck! 

"Time for a new adventure."

Joe Bennett

Kev Toner off to Bescot on loan

Walsall Football Club have announced the loan signing of Aston Villa defender, Kevin Toner, until January 2017.

The 20-year old  becomes Jon Whitney’s 14th signing of the summer.

“I’m delighted to have got it all sorted and I can’t wait to get going, “said Toner, “I want to get out and play football and when the Gaffer said he wanted me to come here I was delighted.

“I’ve played here a few times with Villa under 21’s so I know the stadium as well which helps.

“But I’m not coming here just to make the numbers up. I want to do well. I want to help the team and help the boys.

“My loan at Kidderminster was a bit of an eye opener because you’re so used to the perfect pitches and the perfect everything.

“Coming here feels a bit more like home.”

“Kevin is an aggressive, front foot defender who also has a lot of quality on the ball,” Jon Whitney added. “I’ve brought him in to bolster our defensive options which we’ve been short of over the last few weeks.

“He’s someone we’ve been monitoring for over a month now and I know he’s highly thought of at Aston Villa.

“I’m sure he’ll be a really good addition to the group and offers us some natural balance being a left footer and being able to play at left-back.

“I think the way we do things here can help him with this development and hopefully we can be successful together.”

Son of Sid off to Stevenage

Stevenage have signed Henry Cowans on loan from Aston Villa until January.

The 20-year old central midfielder has been a regular at Under-21 level for Villa in recent years and helped them to reach last season’s Barclays U21 Premier League Division Two play-off final.

"He's got those Tom Conlon-type traits and obviously with Tom stepping out for a while it ended up being decent timing," said Boro boss Darren Sarrl.

Veretout buggers off to Saint-Etienne

[OFFICIEL ✍️] Jordan #Veretout est lui aussi Vert ! #BienvenueJordan pic.twitter.com/tCGKOcRpHc

— ASSE (@ASSEofficiel) August 24, 2016

Saint-Etienne

Match Preview - Bristol City v Aston Villa

by Dek Hogan

Who are we playing?
Derby County on Saturday 27th August.

Where are we playing?
Ashton Gate Stadium. Bristol BS3 2EJ

Can I go? Away end sold out. Increasingly difficult to get away tickets now without a) having a decent booking history and b) being quick enough off the mark.

Easy to get to?
The trains are running but as it's a bank holiday weekend, they are being piddled about with due to "engineering works". The M5 is never a good idea at thios time of year either. Basically, leave early.

Can I watch it on telly
Nope and a stream is highly unlikely. Someone might film it on their phone for Periscope/Facebook, you never know. Ticketless fans might just have to listen to the radio.

Big game?
HUGE.

Things may be looking up, but if we are to have any chance of being in the promotion shake up, we've got to convert performances into points.

Three points away at places like Bristol are exactly what is required if we are to challenge at the top.

Most of us are well happy with the new arrivals but we've got to expect the odd setback while they gel.

City, like many other clubs in this league, will no doubt be excited that a team of Villa's stature is paying them a visit and will surely raise there game accordingly.

Gestede's hobbling off at Pride Park illustrated just how short we still are up front. Still having nightmares about Kozak's poor performance.

Do Bristol City boast any famous fans?

There's Baldrick from The Black Adder.

We've got fiddle playing scruffbox Nigel Kennedy off of the classical music.

So we win.

Who's playing for us?
We'd expect to see Jedinak and De Laet stroll straight into the starting line up. Who makes way for them is the interesting question.

Who's playing for them?
Our old mate Derrick Williams gave a penalty away at Scunthorpe. Be nice if he could do that for us. (except he won't be because we've just learned he's buggered off to Blackburn).

Any useless stats?

Of course, here you go:

• We last faced Bristol City at their place in the FA Cup in 1982. Gary Shaw got the only goal.

• We have 19 wins over them while they've beaten us on 10 occasions. There has been 9 draws.

• Our last match with City in the league was in December 1979. Gary Shaw netted a hatrick.

• Our last match in the second tier of English football with The Robins was way back in 1975. Goals from Chico Hamilton and Brian Little saw us win 2-0.

Prediction
A 3-1 win for Villa

Better De Laet than never!!!!!! Villa snap up full back.

Aston Villa have completed the signing of Ritchie De Laet on a three-year deal from Leicester City.

De Laet, 27, joins Villa for around 32 million and becomes our seventh summer signing following Mile Jedinak, Ross McCormack, Aaron Tshibola, James Chester, Pierluigi Gollini and Tommy Elphick into Bodymoor.

Roberto Di Matteo said : "I'm pleased to have brought Ritchie to the Club.

"He is another player who not only has Championship experience but has also played a part in helping a team win promotion back to the Premier League."

De Laet spent the first half of last season at Premier League winners Leicester before going off on loan in the Championship with Middlesbrough who won the league title.


Leicester tweeted their thanks, saying: "Ritchie played his part in both our Championship and Premier League title wins. We thank him for his hard work and wish him every success."

Doctor Tony: "World Class" number 9 on the way...

Doctor Tony's transparancy with his tweets continues with the lip-smacking promise of two more signings in the coming days:

We're working very hard 2have a world class 9#striker. Very close to the new full back. Hope both will happen next week! Enjoy weekend!#UTV

— Dr. Tony Xia (@Dr_TonyXia) August 21, 2016

Our Tone earlier poured cold water on the rumours flooding out of the Italian media over the future of one Ravel Morrison....

@Dr_TonyXia is ravel morrison signing for villa I have heard a lot of rumers about it but I am unsure if it is true

— Zack (@Zack68675255) August 21, 2016

Until today, he hasn't been on our list. https://t.co/EvKQd0y0Cu

— Dr. Tony Xia (@Dr_TonyXia) August 21, 2016

5 bullet points from Derby

• The pairing of Tommy Elphick and James Chester has the makings of a fine defensive partnership. Just their second game together and already looking solid.

• Libor Kozak looks way off it. Has his bad luck with injury scuppered his career? He looks a shadow of the player we bought, seemed incapable of holding the ball up and then there was THAT miss. 

• Gary Gardner might actually be up for fighting for his place. Having looked surprisingly ineffective at Wednesday and Luton, he had a better game here, when many of us had groaned to see his name on the team sheet. Obviously, his wonder strike hitting the post caught the eye, but he was much improved in his general play.

• Where are Derby playing Will Hughes? He was so deep in the first half you could have mistaken him for a centre half. One of the most talented midfielders in the division, he's wasted in a defensive-mid role, Makes you glad we didn't get Pearson.

• Ross McCormack oozes quality and there were several moments that indicated he can be key in extracting the best from Jack Grealish. 

Match Preview - Derby County v Aston Villa

by Dek Hogan

Who are we playing?
Derby County on Saturday 20th August.

Where are we playing?
The iPro Stadium, Pride Park, Derby, DE24 8XL. (Legoland to you and me)

Can I go? Away end sold out. Increasingly difficult to get away tickets now without a) having a decent booking history and b) being quick enough off the mark.

Easy to get to?
Derby? A doddle.

Can I watch it on telly
Yep, Sky Sports, hence the annoying kick off time.

Big game?
HUGE.

Looks like being a right rollercoaster this Championship malarkey.

The bitter disappointment of conceding late against Huddersfield shouldn't mask the concern that an equaliser wasn't entirely unexpected. Villa certainly started where they had left off against Rotherham but quickly ran out of steam in the second half, just as the Terriers were revitalised by the arrival of one Nakhi Wells.

There is a bit of respite in the next few weeks in terms of the frequency of fixtures and we need to ensure that were are in peak condition for when the onslaught of midweek matches resumes.

McCormack seems to be settling in well and Rudy Gestede has seemed like a different player since Ross's arrival.

Doctor Tony hasn't got a magic wand but at least the new regime are making a fair fist of injecting some fresh blood into the squad.

Derby haven't had the best of starts as Pearson finds his feet but they'll be buoyed by a late winner at Preston North End and desperate to give their home support something to shout about.

Typical Derby fan

Expecting a classic blood and thunder encounter bringing back memories of ATV's Star Soccer.

Do Derby boast any famous fans?

Well there's Simon Groom off of Blue Peter and Tracy Shaw who was Maxine off of Corrie before she was killed off in a crazed serial killer plot. Not to mention Tim Brooke-Taylor off of The Goodies.

We've got fiddle playing scruffbox Nigel Kennedy off of the classical music.

So we win.

Who's playing for us?
Assuming he'll go pretty much unchanged if everyone is fit to go again.

Jedinak's signing clearly puts pressure on the midfielders for places.

Despite two fatal rickets in just three games, he'll likely keep faith with his young accident prone goalkeeper.

Who's playing for them?
Our old mate Darren Bent was dropped for the Preston game. Will Hughes is a danger man.

Any useless stats?

Of course, here you go:

• We last faced Derby County in the League at Pride Park in April 2008, mullering them 6-0. Ashley Young, John Carew, Stiliyan Petrov, Gareth Barry, Gabby Agbonlahor and Marlon Harewood all scored.

• We have 68 wins over them while they've beaten us on 43 occasions. There has been 23 draws.

• Our last match with Derby in the second tier of English football was way back in March 1969 and we lost 1-0 thanks to an own goal.

Prediction
A 3-3 draw.

Weirdy Beardy signs for Villa

Aston Villa have finally completed a much trailed deal for Mile Jedinak from Crystal Palace. 

The midfielder signed a three-year deal after watching Villa’s 1-1 draw with Huddersfield. The influential Aussie had lost the captaincy at Palace after four seasons to Scott Dann.

Jedinak becomes Villa’s sixth signing of the summer but will not be available until all the paperwork is boxed off.

The 32-year-old made 179 appearances for Palace and scored 10 goals after joining from the Turkish side Genclerbirligi in 2011.

His last appearance in a Palace shirt came in the 1-0 defeat to West Bromwich on the opening day of the Premier League last weekend. 

Villa legend Dalian Atkinson DEAD after police tazering

We are sad and staggered to mourn the passing of striker Dalian Atkinson following an incident in Telford.


The 48-year-old died around 90 minutes after he was hit by a stun gun in Meadow Close in the Trench area of Telford, Shropshire, at around 1.30am.

West Mercia Police said officers were called amid concerns “for the safety of an individual” and deployed Taser.


A police statement read: “West Mercia Police can confirm that officers responded to a report for the concern for the safety of an individual at approximately 1.30am this morning at an address in Telford.

“Upon arrival Taser was deployed and a 48-year-old man, who subsequently received medical attention, was pronounced dead at approximately 3am.

“West Mercia Police are unable to comment any further as the incident has been referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) as is normal procedure, and will assist the IPCC with their inquiries.”

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “We were called by West Mercia Police to an address in Meadow Close in the Trench area of Telford at about 1.45am this morning.

Match Preview - Aston Villa v Huddersfield Town

by Dek Hogan

Who are we playing?
Huddersfield Town on Tuesday 16th August at 7.45pm.

Where are we playing?
Villa Park, you know where it is.

Can I go? Loads of tickets available. Get your arse down Villa Park and get behind the boys.

Easy to get to?
Road works a-go-go. Might be worth heading off a bit earlier than usual or get the train in...

Can I watch it on telly
Not live no. Most Championship aren't available to live stream either so your best bet is to get your arse down Villa Park.

Big game?
HUGE.

Huddersfield will be on a high after taking the scalp of our pals at Newcastle, Nakhi Wells - often linked with Villa in transfer gossip - got on the scoresheet and will be a danger.

As of us, many of us are still reeling after witnessing what can only be described as a convincing home win which will have done much to dispel the gloom brought on by the Luton display.

Things can only get better. Signs already that McCormack might be able to get the best out of Rudy Gestede while the Chester/Elphick partnership at the back will no doubt improve the more they play together. It's nice to have a couple of central defenders that actually know how to play there.

Confidence is going to be key if we are to truly turn the corner, so it's really quite important that we get a second win in this one.

Do Huddersfield boast any famous fans?

Typical Huddersfield fan

Well there's Patrick Stewart off of the X-Men films (the baldy guy in the wheelchair) and Zoe Lucker (a dinner lady in Waterloo Road).

We've got fiddle playing scruffbox Nigel Kennedy.

So we win.

Who's playing for us?
Assuming he'll go pretty much unchanged if everyone is fit to go again.

That's the big "if" though with games coming thick and fast.

What was pleasing about his team selection on Saturday was that players that let us down at Luton were swiftly removed from the starting line up. Under previous managers, the wankers were picked week in, week out.

Who's playing for them?
Look out for danger man Rajiv van La Parra and ex-Villa youth product Jonathan Hogg

Any useless stats?

Of course, here you go:

• We last faced Huddersfield in the League at Villa Park at Christmas 1987. Paul Birch scored but we could only manage 1-1 draw. It was Mark "Wally" Walters last game in a Villa shirt.

• We have 31 wins over them while they've beaten us on 20 occasions. There has been 19 draws.

• Our last win over the Terriers was a 1-0 at their place in September 1987. David Hunt got the winner after coming on a sub for the luckless Neale Cooper.

• Our last win at Villa Park over Huddersfield was in 1972. Geoff Vowden and Ray Graydon got the goals in a 2-0 win.

Prediction
A 3-1 win for the Villa.

James Chester deal over the line

Aha!Hard work everyone! Welcome to Villa! UTV! pic.twitter.com/P8wbzu1nXq

— Dr. Tony Xia (@Dr_TonyXia) August 12, 2016

Doctor No: Joe Bennett hasn't buggered off after all

Been a hectic few days. Won't be moving though. #whatwillbewillbe

— Joe Bennett (@JoeBennett27) August 11, 2016

Don't make story with me&RDM. RDM chose the team&board made decisions not giving out for free especially to a rival! No more silly deals !

— Dr. Tony Xia (@Dr_TonyXia) August 11, 2016

I just want to protect a club,no more stealing from the club, which we should done long time ago! Time tells what loyalty means to someone.

— Dr. Tony Xia (@Dr_TonyXia) August 11, 2016

Match Preview - Aston Villa v Rotherham

by Dek Hogan

Who are we playing?
Rotherham United on Saturday 13th August at 3pm.

Where are we playing?
Villa Park, you know where it is.
.

Can I go? Loads of tickets available but ask about first. There's probably a few disillusioned season ticket holders already who can't face going...

Easy to get to?
Road works a-go-go. Might be worth heading off a bit earlier than usual or get the train in...

Can I watch it on telly
Not live no, as it's a Saturday 3 o'clocker. Most Championship aren't available to live stream either so your best bet is to get your arse down Villa Park.

Big game?
HUGE.

This game and the Huddersfield  one will define our season. Take six points and maybe, just maybe, a promotion push beckons. Lose both and we really are looking at another relegation battle. Something in between will indicate a frustrating season of mid-table mediocrity.

Doctor Tony want us back in the Premier League as soon as possible but surely now after seeing us in action at Sheffield and Luton, he knows what a mammoth task that is.

The squad wasn't nearly good enough last year and sadly, as yet, it is not nearly good enough this time.

A lot of misfits are being shown the door but we've yet to see a flood of fresh blood.  Of the new signings, only Elphick and McCormack can be said to be the finished article, with Tshibola and Gollini more investments for the future than players that are going to have an instant impact.

While we played some passable football in the second half at Hillsborough, the Luton game cruelly exposed how this squad is incapable of competing. Getting deservedly beaten by an average League Two side is nothing short of a fucking disgrace.

Reputation will count for fuck all in the Championship, we need players that will give their all for the cause and quite frankly, at present we don't have nearly enough of them.

Do Rotherham boast any famous fans?
The Chuckle Brothers.

So we win.

Who's playing for us?
Not even entirely sure who he'll play in goal. He'd be brave to pick Jores Okore after that Luton horror show.  Gary Gardner has started twice and, much as it hurts to say it, he's looked a liability in both games.

Hoping against hope that Elphick is fit to start. At least he shows some passion.

Who's playing for them?
Rotherham United have signed defender Darnell Fisher on a three-year deal from reigning Scottish Premiership champions Celtic

Any useless stats?

Of course, here you go:

• We last faced Rotherham in the League Cup at Villa Park in August 2013. Weimann, Benteke and Delph scored as we won comfortably 3-0

• We have 9 wins over them while they've beaten us on 4 occasions. There has been 1 draw.

• The last time we faced Rotherham in the second tier of English football was at Christmas 1967at Hillsborough. We won 2-0 with Brian Greenhalgh and Tommy Mitchinson getting the goals.

Prediction
A 2-2 draw.

Latest Villa games picked/moved for Sky telly: Blues away on Sky Sports

Blues v Villa live on Sky

Sat 15th Oct: Aston Villa v Wolverhampton Wanderers - 5.30pm

Sun 30th Oct: Birmingham City v Aston Villa - 12.00pm

Fri 18th Nov: Brighton & Hove Albion v Aston Villa - 19.45pm

Carlos Sanchez finally buggers off to Italy

Fiorentina have finally signed Colombia international Carlos Sanchez on loan from Aston Villa after a fair bit of wrangling.

The Viola released a statement late on Tuesday confirming they had secured a loan deal for the 30-year-old midfielder.

The loan deal is thought to be in the regionof €0.5m and Fiorentina have an option to buy that will become mandatory if he plays 50 per cent of their matches this season.

Sanchez never really looked the same player in a Villa shirt as he did when playing for Colombia.

Good luck in the future Carlos.

Abel Hernández wouldn't hesitate if Villa came calling...

Abel Hernández has effectively said "come and get me" to Aston Villa.

“La situación del club me tiene preocupado porque estamos al inicio, sin entrenador y jugadores es algo muy difícil.

"Me tiene preocupado y sorprendido después del esfuerzo que se hizo para ascender. No me llamó Aston Villa, es un equipo serio. Si lo hicieran no dudaría.

"El entrenador estuvo hasta hace dos semanas. Tuvo una discusión con el presidente. Estamos entrenando con el segundo entrenador. Esperamos también que llegue algún jugador. Es un Campeonato muy duro.

"Debutamos con Leicester. Newcastle y Aston Villa son dos clubes serios. No he tenido contactos con ninguno. Desde el punto de vista contractual no hay problema. Me queda un año más de contrato.

"En lo personal, me gustaría quedarme en Inglaterra. Me adapté. Vienen partidos importantes en las Eliminatorias. Tenemos que cambiar la imagen de la Copa América. Este grupo demostró que sale adelante en los momentos difíciles”

Hey Joe! Bennett buggers off to Sheffield...

Misfit left back Joe Bennett is finally leaving Aston Villa for good.

The player only made around 30 appearances for Villa, most of those early in his Villa Park career and he has spent much of his time out on loan.

It had been thought that Villa's drop to the Championship might give Joe a chance at a first team place - he looked good in pre-season, albeit against inferior opposition.

However with Jordan Amavi likely to stay and Bennett not even making the bench in the first match of the season, the writing was on the wall.

He's off to Sheffield Wednesday, where his loan spell last term was blighted by injury.

Doctor Tony: New midfielder by Saturday?

Very exciting news for fans: very close to a deal with the mid! Hopefully b4 Saturday!

— Dr. Tony Xia (@Dr_TonyXia) August 9, 2016

Doctor Tony: Jordan Ayew STAYS despite rumours

No more rumors re JA. We will make him a successful career with club's journey to be greatest club again! https://t.co/VvNYRZ7s0c

— Dr. Tony Xia (@Dr_TonyXia) August 8, 2016

Match Preview: League Cup: Luton Town v Aston Villa

by Dek Hogan

Who are we playing?
Luton Town on Wednesday 10th August at 7.45pm

Where are we playing?
Kenilworth Stadium, 1 Maple Road, Luton, LU4 8AW   It's been a while...

Can I go? Sold out which isn't bad for a Wednesday night in Luton

Easy to get to?
Post Code for Sat-Nav: LU4 8AW . Parking can be a bugger. The train station is fifteen minutes walk away.

Can I watch it on telly
Sky Sports. We may well be on it a lot this season.

Big game?
Meh...

Fans who are convinced we can promoted may well see the League Cup as a distraction we don't need.

The other argument is that losing to lowly Luton would be crippling for morale, so we should go for the win.

Who wouldn't love another day out at Wembley though?

With league games coming thick and fast, RDM may well opt to make wholesale changes from his Wednesday starting line up, whether or not he fancies a tilt at winning the cup. He can justify this as he still getting to know his squad.

Do Sheffield Wednesday boast any famous fans?
There's Nick Owen off of Midlands Today.

We've got the Duke of Cambridge.

So we win.

Who's playing for us?
With two vital home league games looming, it could well be wholesale changes from Sunday's team. This could be good news as it gives a chance for a few to stake their claim. Would love to see Andre start.

Who's playing for them?
Dunno but lower league teams also like to ring the changes in this competition. On the other hand, they may want to keep momentum going after a 3-0 thrashing of Plymouth...


Any useless stats?

Of course, here you go:

• Our last game at their place was way back on April 1992. We lost 2-0 on Mark Bosnich's debut.

• We have 15 wins over them while, surprisingly, they've beaten us on 18 occasions. There have been 5 draws

• The last time we beat Luton at their place was in 1989. Derek Mountfield scored the solitary goal.

Prediction
A 3-1 win to the Villa.

CONFIRMED: Sinclair a Celtic player

Celtic have announced the signing of Aston Villa forward Scott Sinclair on a four-year deal.

“It feels amazing to have joined Celtic,” Scott said. “It’s a massive club and I’m looking forward to it. I’m here now and I’m happy to be here.

“I can’t wait to get on the pitch. When I went back to Aston Villa for pre-season, I heard Celtic were interested, and I just knew I had to come here.

Mrs. Sinclair

“I had to look at this move and I thought it would be great for me. And because I know the manager and I know what to expect, hopefully I can get off to a flying start.

"I’m just hoping to come here, score some goals, create chances and hopefully excite the fans."


Yeah, good luck with that.

Doctor Tony to add "7-8 new players" to Villa squad

Our plan is to add 7-8 new players . We have 3 bids ongoing and two loans negotiating.It will work out as planned. https://t.co/vPHKB2vwnQ

— Dr. Tony Xia (@Dr_TonyXia) August 6, 2016

I'd stop saying much about transfers. I can say we have worked as hard as we can! SO, Villa fans! Just enjoy the game &give ur most support!

— Dr. Tony Xia (@Dr_TonyXia) August 6, 2016

Scott Sinclair buggers off to Scotland.

Mrs. Sinclair

Aston Villa flop Scott Sinclair has been photographed in Glasgow as he completes his long awaited move to Celtic.

The 27-year-old had a medical on Saturday mornng

"There's no smoke without fire and there's been a lot of smoke," gushed Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers at his presser on Friday.

"Scott's a player I know well. I'd hope to sign a player before the weekend."

Villa head honcho Roberto di Matteo confirmed on Friday that Celtic have made an offer for Sinclair.

The Scottish club had been linked with player for several weeks.

Match Preview - Sheffield Wednesday v Aston Villa

by Dek Hogan

Who are we playing?
Sheffield Wednesday on Sunday 7th August at 4.30pm

Where are we playing?
Hillsborough, Sheffield, S6 1SW.  It's been a while...

Can I go? Sold out which isn't bad for considering a generous 4000 plus allocation and a ludicrously expensive ticket price. Don'r blame Wednesday's fans for that though, ticket prices extortionate throughout the ground, not just the away end.

Easy to get to?
Doddle. The train station is about three mile away and there's usually plenty of buses or jump in a cab. If you are driving, duck off the M1 at Junction 36 and the A61 will take you there.

Can I watch it on telly
Sky Sports. We may well be on it a lot this season.

Big game?
If you think we can get promoted then HUGE. A six pointer if we are gonna be there or thereabouts.

The fact is that the rebuilding job is only in an embryonic stage and it will certainly take our new manager and his well experienced backroom staff sometime to turn things around.  Even the best mechanic in the world can't make a Rolls Royce out of the bits for Reliant Robin.

However, there are moves in the right direction. Tommy Elphick gets the armband and we'll certainly be looking for some on-field leadership which seemed so sadly lacking last term.

People who know the Championship really well will tell you that Ross McCormack is a brilliant signing. Some may baulk at the fee we paid for a bloke who is about to hit the Big Three O, but here is a striker who has always delivered the goals, pointedly, even when playing in sides that weren't firing on all cylinders.

Goals inspire confidence and boy oh boy, do the survivors of last season's horror need a boost in confidence.

RDM will appreciate there's a lot of work to do and while some fans will immediately go into a meltdown the moment we concede a goal, we need to show some patience.

If we can get through the opener without getting hammered and then consolidate with two home wins against two of the weaker sides in the division in our first two home games, maybe just maybe, we can start to move in the right direction.

Xia and co may have a war chest but they've already shown that he's just gonna throw cash about willy nilly, making the mistakes of the past. However, the Boro friendly will have perhaps added some urgency into the efforts to improve the squad. Expect to see more outgoings and a couple or three judicious additions before the end of August.

We'll probably be one of the more active teams in the notoriously difficult January window.

Wednesday surprised many of us with the way they put themselves into contention for proportion last season and they'll certainly be looking to build on that. Our old mate Barry Bannan lurks, ready to spoil our opening day party.

Do Sheffield Wednesday boast any famous fans?
There's Arctic Monkeys frontman Alex Turner and of course, Dick from Dick and Dom.

We've got the bloke who writes the Jack Reacher books.

So we win.

Who's playing for us?
Big question. There will intense speculation and anticipation over RDM's first competitive starting line up.

Expect the big summer signings, Gollini, Elphick, Tshibola and McCormack to feature.

We've barely seen Amavi and haven't seen Adama in the warm ups so you'd think this might have come a bit quick from them.

Jordan Ayew gets the number 10 shirt which - together with the evidence of pre-season games - gives an idea of where he'll be utilised.

Andre Green may well have impressed enough to earn a place on the bench.

Who's playing for them?
Steven Fletcher could be a potent force for the Owls. One to worry about.

Any useless stats?

Of course, here you go:

• Our last game at their place was way back on April 2000. Alan Thompson netted a last gasp goal to give us a 1-0 win and left Wednesday staring relegation in the face.

• We have 65 wins over them while they've beaten us on 51 occasions. There have been 17 draws

• The last time we faced Wednesday in the second tier of English football was in April 1975 at Hillsborough. We smashed them 4-0 with Brian Little scoring twice.

Prediction
A 2-2 draw.

Goalden Boy Ross McCormack signed sealed and delivered

Aston Villa Football Club has confirmed the signing of goal getter Ross McCormack.

McCormack, nearly 30, arrives from Fulham in a £12m deal.

Ross has signed a four-year deal as Villa look for a swify return to the top flight,

Boss Di Matteo said: “I'm delighted to bring Ross on board. He's a player with proven track record and plenty of experience in the division.

"He is a player whose goalscoring record has been excellent everywhere he has been and we feel he can be an important addition."

McCormack said  “This is a great Club and it’s very exciting to be part of this project to put the Club back where it belongs, which is the Premier League.

“This is a personal goal of mine and a goal shared by everyone in the changing room as well as the staff and the fans.

“When you hear the name Aston Villa, the first thing that comes into your head is ‘Premier League Club.

“To think we’re sitting down in the Championship is not very good at the moment but there’s a mentality that’s growing.

“I’ve spoken with the coaching staff at length and they say there’s a solidarity in the changing room that’s increasing all the time.

“My talks with the manager have been very positive – nothing about the past and all about the ‘here and now’. There’s a chance to be part of the history of this great football Club by putting it back where it belongs.

“I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t believe we could achieve promotion. I have had other options, as everyone knows, but I see this as an exciting project that I can help with.

“There’s already some good players here – and we’ve signed some more this summer too – and hopefully I can add to that and help us achieve the goals we’re looking to achieve.”

Clark leaves a massive club for Newcastle

Newcastle United have completed the signing of Republic of Ireland international defender Ciaran Clark.

The 26-year-old, who never lived up to his early potential at Aston Villa joins for "an undisclosed fee" (circa £5 million)  and has signed a five-year deal .

Clark came up through the youth system at Villa, making his debut in August 2009.

Injuries and lapses in form ensured he was never what you'd call a fixture in the Villa first team.

Villa snaffle Ross McCormack from under Norwich's noses

Aston Villa have had a £12m bid accepted for Fulham's profolic striker Ross McCormack.

The Scotland international had been linked strongly with Norwich City but they were outbid by Doctor Tony.

McCormack, 29, joined the London club in 2014 from Leeds United for a fee believed to be worth £11m.

He koocked in 38 league goals in 89 appearances for a struggling Fulham side, who finished 20th in the Championship last season.

Gana to Toffees confirmed

Everton have snaffled Aston Villa midfielder Idrissa "Gana" Gueye for a reported fee of £7.1 million, having triggered his release clause with a dollop of their lovely Premier League cash.

Gueye, 26, joined Villa last summer from Lille and scored one goal in 38 appearances for the Midlands club before we plummeted in the EFL at the end of the season.

The Senegal international now becomes manager Ronald Koeman's second signing of the summer following the arrival of goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg...

Guzan slinging his hook and joining Middlesbrough

31-year-old USA international Brad Guzan is headed back to the Premier League

The keeper was due at Middlesbrough’s training ground this afternoon, to sign a a two-year deal bringing the curtain down on an eight-year stint at Villa Park

Beautiful Boro

He first joined Villa from MLS side Chivas in 2008, although he was briefly
released in 2012.

He was quickly re-signed by our old pal Paul Lambert and went on to become first choice for much of the rest of his time at Villa.

Gana Everton bound...

Calls to stay fall on deaf ears

Idrissa "Gana" Gueye looks like he's off to Everton with "sources" saying he's had a medical today ahead of what would be a £7 miliion move from Aston Villa.

It had been reported that the Merseyside outfit had triggered the Senegal midfielder's release clause and the player will get another chance to perform in the Premier League, despite the fact that he hardly took it by storm last season, featuring in the worst Villa team in living memory (depending how old you are).

Ronald Koeman

Gueye has been a target for manager Ronald Koeman before; the Dutchman was rumoured to have tried to sign him for Southampton but was pipped at the post by Villa, when he came to the Premier League from Lille.

Carles Gil buggering off to Deportivo.

Reports suggest that flop Carles Gil is off to Deportivo on loan, with an option of a permanent move.

Gil showed flashes of talent but was unable to hold down a regular place in the most woeful Villa team in living memory.

Petrov Villa comeback dream is over

Aston Villa are not offering a playing contract to Stiliyan Petrov, but he may stay at the club in a different role.

The midfielder, 37, has been training with Villa and has featured in pre-season matches, most recently against Worcester City, on Saturday where the crowd loudly sang his name.

Petrov retired from the playing ranks in 2013, having suspended his career a year earlier when he was diagnosed with leukaemia.

The much capped Bulgarian international began training with the club's U21 squad late last season and it was then announced he would play a full part in their pre-season training camp in Austria.

New Villa boss Roberto di Matteo confirmed on Wednesday that Petrov would not be offered a playing contract.

Di Matteo said: "Stiliyan is an inspiration to all of us.

"I have spoken to him and explained my thoughts and offered him the chance to remain at the club. Stiliyan is going to discuss this with his family before coming back to us."

Aaron Tshibola finally confirmed

Aston Villa have finally confirmed the capture of midfielder Aaron Tshibola from Reading for an undisclosed fee (thought to be in the region of 5 million smackeroonies).

Tshibola, 21, has signed a four-year deal and flown straight out to Austria to team up with Roberto Di Matteo's squad on their preseason training camp.

"I am very happy that Aaron has joined," Di Matteo said.

"He's a highly-rated and well respected young player who will provide us with plenty of energy, courage and determination in the middle of the park.

"I am confident he will be a tremendous addition to our squad for the very important new season  and beyond."

Tshibola is Villa's third signing of the summer, following the additions of defender Tommy Elphick from Bournemouth and goalkeeper Pierluigi Gollini from Hellas Verona. More additions are expected and there will be inevitable departures as the new boss looks to trim his bloated squad.

Villa sign goalie Gollini from Hellas Verona

Aston Villa have completed the much trailed £4.25million signing of Hellas Verona goalkeeper Pierluigi Gollini.

The Italy U21 international arrives at Villa Park on a four-year deal from the club that finished last in Serie A last season.

Gollini was largely a bench warmer at Hellas during the last campaign making just three appearances for the Gialloblu last season.

That said, the 21-year-old is highly thought in his home country and has made four appearances for the Italy U21 side.

'I am very pleased to have brought in Pierluigi,' saidVilla boss Roberto Di Matteo .

'We have managed to sign him despite the fact he was being chased by a number of top sides and that is a great sign.

'He's a young man but has plenty of experience and I'm sure he'll prove to be an excellent signing for the club.'
Gollini's signing spells doubt the futures of Brad Guzan and Mark Bunn, who both enjoyed spells as the club's number one goalkeeper last season.

Reading FC accept a £5 million Villa bid for Tshibola

Reading FC have accepted a £5 million bid Villa for midfield prospect Aaron Tshibola .

The former England under-18 international has travelled up to the Midlands to discuss personal terms - with a deal likely to be completed this week.

Jaap Stam did not want to lose Tshibola but the lad  has told the club that he wants to move to Villa Park, forcing Royals to reluctantly accept the offer.

Steve Clarke - who gave Tshibola his full debut - is now assistant manager at Aston Villa and thinks highly of the 21-year-old.

Crystal Palace, Celtic and Norwich City were in the running for the Madejski Stadium academy product, but it looks as though Villa will get their man.

Callum Robinson buggers off to Preston

Preston

Aston Villa forward Callum Robinson has buggered off to Championship side Preston North End on a three-year deal.

The 21-year-old snubbed a new deal with Villato hoock up with the club where he'd had two loan spells.

Robinson "It was obviously a big decision for me leaving Aston Villa, I've been there since I was eight-years-old."

"But if there was ever a club for me to settle down with and sign permanently with, it would be Preston North End."

Preston is famous for being the robot dog off of Wallace and Gromit and once famously stormed off Never Mind the Buzzcocks.

The Fixtures!

We kick off our campaign in the Championship away at Sheffield Wednesday. Hooray! The bad news is, the game will be at 4.30pm on Sunday 7th August to suit the needs of Sky telly. Boo!

Our first home game is on Saturday 13th August against Rotherham and the Yorkshire themed opening to the season continues three days later when Huddersfield Town rock up at Villa Park.

The all important derby games against the Blues are at St Andrews on 29th October and Villa Park on 22nd April. That Villa Park clash could prove pivotal if we are in the running for either automatic promotion or a play-off spot.

Wolves visit on 16th October and we head for Molineux on 14th January.

We've got a Villa Park double header at Christmas with Burton Albion on Boxing Day and dirty Leeds on New Years Eve.

Our last away trip of the campaign will be up at Blackburn Rovers and we see out the season with a home clash with Brighton & Hove Albion.

All fixtures are likely to be pissed about with by Sky Sports.

Tommy Elphick confirmed as our first signing of the summer

Tommy Elphick has signed for Aston Villa, joining us from Bournemouth.

Centre-half Elphick, 28, has signed a three-year deal at Villa Park for an undisclosed fee understood to be in excess of £3million.

Elphick made 145 appearances across four seasons for Bournemouth, scoring six goals.

Bournemouth chief exec Neill Blake said: “I would like to place on record my thanks, and that of everyone connected with AFC Bournemouth, to Tommy Elphick for his service to this football club over the past four years.

“He has been a model professional throughout his time here and will now leave behind the legacy of being this football club’s most successful captain.

“It is always difficult to say goodbye to people who have played such a huge part in our success, but we now wish him all the best in his next challenge at Aston Villa."

Elphick "understood to have cut short honeymoon" to sign for Villa

Elphick on his bike

Looks like Bournemouth's Tommy Elphick will be on his bike to join the Villa very shortly.

Bournemouth's Daily Echo report that Elphick is understood to have cut short his Itlaian honeymoon to undergo a Villa medical.

The 28-year-old defender missed much of last season with injury but he has proved himself in the Championship and will prove to be both a defensive asset and a leader on the pitch.

His signing will call into question the future of the defenders that helped get Villa relegated such as Richards, Lescott, Okore and Clark and of Nathan Baker who spent last season on loan at Bristol City.

Steve Hollis on his bike

Hollis

Steve Hollis is no longer Aston Villa's executive chairman ahead of new owner Tony Xia’s boardroom reshuffle.


The troubleshooter was brought in by former owner Randy Lerner in January and was pivotal in negotiating the sale of the club to Xia.

His departure from Villa Park was expected following the completion of the takeover earlier this week, with Xia planning to appoint a new board, though that is still subject to Football League approval, which has been delayed.

Hollis announced he was "not a football man" after replacing Lerner as the club's chairman and his tenure saw Villa lose their place in the Premier league, after doing fuck all in the January transfer window.

Wyness

Hollis oversaw the departures of chief executive Tom Fox and sporting director Hendrik Almstadt, and swung the axe at the club's staff axing around 500 full, part time and matchday staff.

Incoming chief executive Keith Wyness now takes the reins.

Wyness said: "Steve has been great, he did a very necessary job. He’s the first to admit he’s not a football man, but he’s done a very good job corporate restructuring.

“He’s been a pleasure to deal with and very professional.”

Xia is here at last

After a protracted process. Tony Xia's takeover of Aston Villa has at last been confirmed.

We await official news of the make up of the new board.

CONFIRMED: Roberto Di Matteo is the new manager of Aston Villa

Aston Villa has confirmed the appointment of Roberto Di Matteo as new manager.


Roberto said: "It's a wonderful honour for me to become manager of this great football club and I'm looking forward to the challenge of taking Aston Villa back to its rightful place."

It's Di Matteo!

Roberto Di Matteo, the former Chelsea player who broke Villa hearts in the 2000 FA Cup Final is set to be confirmed as the new manager of Aston Villa on Friday, according to reports.

Steve Clarke is expected to join as assistant. Clarke was regarded as great number two in his spells at Chelsea and Liverpool under José Mourinho and Kenny Dalglish .

Di Matteo gets a two-year contract apparently.

The Italian, who steered Chelsea to Champions League victory in 2012, has been looking for a role since getting the Spanish Archer from Schalke at the end of last season. Clarke was sacked by Reading in December and both men have managed West Bromwich Albion.

Villa also held talks with the new Derby County manager Nigel Pearson, but rumours persisted that Di Matteo was always owner-in-waiting Doctor Tony's first choice.

Di Matteo has form in the Championship, guiding West Bromwich Albion to promotion.

Pre-season friendlies announced

"FIRST TEAM" GAMES

Villa face Premier League opposition
 in the firm of Middlesbrough

Saturday July 16 
 v AFC Telford (A) - 12pm
AND 
 v Worcester City (At Walshes Meadow, Stourport) - 3pm

Wednesday July 20 
 v Bristol Rovers (A) - 7.45pm

Saturday July 23
 v FC Nantes (At Stade Leo Lagrange, Saint Nazaire)

Tuesday July 26 
v Cambridge United (A) - 7.30pm

Saturday July 30
v Middlesbrough (H) - 3pm  (£10 in, £5 concessions)




Under 21s

Thursday July 21 
Friendly v Heather St John's (A) - 7.30pm

Sunday July 24 
Friendly v Biggleswade (A) - 2pm

Wednesday July 27 
Friendly v Tamworth (A) - 7.30pm

Monday August 1
Friendly v Chasetown (A) - 7.30pm

Club sold to Dr Xia

Randy Lerner has flogged the Villa to the Recon Group owned by Dr Tony Jiantong Xia subject to the approval of both the Premier League and the Football League.

Once those approvals have been granted and the new board members approved under the fit & proper rules of both leagues, Our Tone will become Chairman of Aston Villa.

The club website states that "Dr Xia's immediate objective is to return Aston Villa to the Premier League and then to have the Club finish in the top six, bringing European football back to Villa Park. He plans to make Aston Villa the most famous football Club in China with a huge fan base."

villmad.co.uk welcomes the change of ownership and hope that there is some light at the end of the tunnel.

Randy's leaving message

Randy Lerner has issued a lengthy statement as he finally hands the baton on:

"In spite of my personal affection for reading history I have come to trust the future more than the past. And when I refer to the 'past,' I do so lightly and lightheartedly. I refer to recent accounts - mostly in the press regarding the sale of the Club, that are so many miles from accuracy or truth that I can only assume that they too were written by people whose tongues were firmly embedded in their respective cheeks. It is football after all.

"As I've said, it was my hope that ownership and custodianship of the Club would have been transferred some years ago when I knew that personal and professional matters made it impossible for me to contribute the time I did in my first five years with the Club. Time and immersion that is crucial to any formula for success. Still, fates are fickle in football so that we could claw back to safety last season, end up at Wembley at a Cup Final sitting amongst old friends!, and then spend the 2015/16 campaign at Bannockburn!


"As I expect this to be my last message to supporters through the Villa website I thought it worth reiterating that my approach from the beginning, consistent with my longstanding affection for The Trinity, was in three parts: Villa Park infrastructure, Bodymoor Heath infrastructure and the Villa squad. I have a sneaking suspicion that my best chance of any tolerable memories in this regard will lie with the father and son of this trinity…! In the end, however, so many wonderful young players came through Villa during my time and it is to them and supporters alike whom I am indebted. Also, of course, I wish - without mentioning names, to say thank you to countless people with whom I worked at Villa Park and BMH who have touched me personally and from whom I have learned so much.

"Finally, being conscious of the popular and dark pastime of wondering aloud how much was spent, or lost, I should like to think that I 'left behind' value which will hopefully endure and benefit this beloved old Club. In being sadly more than tone deaf, I'll not weakly risk trying to sound any positive notes. But what I will say is that if spending to restore and preserve the wonderful Jacobean Holte Hotel at the southern tip of the Ground, or researching and adding the Holte End mosaic as a nostalgic nod to that wonderful Leitch Stand of our past, add to the tally of personal losses then I can offer no counter argument other than to say I would do the same all over!

"It is here that the agreement I wish to announce with Tony Xia ties into my short narrative: Tony has built his career around infrastructure. He is certainly a hugely successful businessman but importantly for me he is passionate about architecture, site design and planning. His commitment to invest in the squad, and leadership at Bodymoor Heath was expressed early on but as we visited together, and had some unrushed time to discuss his plans, Tony's excitement to develop Villa Park shone through. I remain convinced that this is a crucial part of the Club's future as it provides a critical, long-term second source of revenue and therefore sustainability for the Club from which squad-funding can potentially come.

"It is with that that I want to say thank you, and to wish Tony every success going forward."

Randy speaks at last....

"A nagging sense of inevitability set in against Leicester City despite the late lead we enjoyed. Can't say why although I doubt I'm alone...

"How many seasons after all can one hold on and hope to slide through? That is not Aston Villa. That kind of desperate existence is totally unacceptable, unbearable and totally incompatible with Villa's glorious past. That is not what, or why, I looked to get involved back then and it is why I've looked for some time to make a change. I can say certainly in good faith that I have tried to sell since my May 2014 announcement and put our beloved club in better suited hands - but that hasn't happened.


"I write to Villa supporters to make clear that this relegation lies at my feet and no one else's. And because I believe in Aston Villa and know it will come back stronger and more able, with love and care for the community it serves, with the edge and attitude it must have to represent our history and tradition. Memories of Acorns on the shirt, and Ashley Young scoring a late winner against Everton still romantically nourish me. I know Villa will return better, stronger.

"I will continue to try to put the club into worthy hands as I have, and also do my best to position Villa for the quickest possible return to its rightful place among England's elite."

R Lerner