ianrobo1

usual stuff really, some lies, some other stuff, byut Jim you are right, same tone as the pre match stuff yesterday, no future plans, just trying to secure a favourable press when he goes. As for sleepeless nights recently, this period of time is the quietest he has had because of his health for years. EXCLUSIVE: WHY DEADLY DOUG HASN'T BEEN SLEEPING Exclusive Anthony Clavane YOU suspect Doug Ellis must have the hide of a rhino to survive the abuse he's endured for so many years of his time in charge of Aston Villa. Few chairmen have seen thousands of fans take to the streets in protest against their club's hierarchy and target a man who will be 82 next Tuesday for such hostile, and painfully personal, torment. But as his time as the biggest shareholder at Villa draws to a close Ellis has revealed how fans' criticism has got to him in the last few months - giving him many sleepless nights. After a reign that stretches back to 1968 with only a three-year gap, Deadly Doug is on the verge of completing a £64.4million sale of the Midlands outfit. This will delight a highly vocal section of Villa supporters who have constantly attacked him for an alleged penny-pinching approach that has turned the club into serial under-achievers. But, in an exclusive interview with Sunday Mirror Sport, Ellis has fiercely defended his 34-year reign. And he warned fans, who are hopeful that the imminent takeover by the billionaire Irish Comer brothers will allow David O'Leary to splash the cash, that a "spend, spend, spend" policy will be counter-productive. Ellis said: "I'm very human. I have taken all the criticism by some of the fans seriously. In fact, very often I have had sleepless nights over it. Advertisement "But I take satisfaction from the fact that, by and large, this club is stable. It hasn't got a medium to long-term debt like most other clubs. "The thing is, money does not guarantee success. It never has done. Look at what Wigan have done on very little - and there are many other clubs over the years that I could also mention." Stock Exchange regulations prevent Ellis from discussing the takeover but he admits he has always had a turbulent relationship with supporters. This came to a head last season when "Villa Fans Combined" organised a "Show Doug The Red Card" protest in a match against Middlesbrough. The other issue Ellis refuses to debate is O'Leary's long-term future. On his appointment 30 months ago the Irishman claimed he wanted to show he was not a chequebook manager and would prove it with Villa, where the cash was tighter than in his previous employment at spendthrift Leeds. Within months O'Leary had changed tack to claim that he needed chequebook backing if he was to lift Villa on to a higher Premier League plane. But Ellis insists he has backed managers over the years - there have been 13 in total - and is disappointed that the investment has not turned the club into high achievers. He said: "We've spent around £100m on new players over the years and I'd expect us to be much higher up the table than we are. Take this summer. We spent £10.5m on Baros and Bouma. Then we brought in Taylor and Phillips. "In 1968 I came in and the club was virtually bankrupt. I supported Villa with £100,000 right away, but I said then we'd have to breed, not buy. "So I supported a youth scheme, putting in £10,000, and I am proud that seven players in the squad that won the European Cup originated from that youth scheme. "I am pleased we are now at the top of the youth league and near the top of the reserve league. There are three or four youngsters around now who I think will make it." Ironically, the team won the European Cup in 1982 - as well as the title the season before - during his time away from Villa Park. "I'm not just a chairman - I did play the game, you know," he said. "I believe success breeds success. It's a team game, and with all respect to managers it's the players who count. If you've got the right players and they are all with you then you've got a chance." Despite their recent revival in the Premiership, some fans want O'Leary to be sacked if the takeover goes ahead. Ellis said: "Losing to Doncaster in the Carling Cup left me feeling humiliated. They played us off the park. But there's no way you'd expect to have words from me criticising our manager." German legend Franz Beckenbauer could have been managing Villa but for a bizarre mix-up. "We were sitting next to the Beckenbauers and my German wife really got on well with his. I asked him if he'd like to manage an English club and he said 'Yes, when I retire'. "So when there was a vacancy, I rang him at his home. "I spoke to his wife but, some way into the conversation, she said, 'You've got the wrong wife'. I hadn't realised Franz had remarried!"

nice analogy John and yes there are reports that teh deal could be completed on Tuesday and that it was actually Petchey holding up the deal. As usual though, just believe it it when you see it.

missed out the NOT in the first quote it should be NOT in overall control, apologies for the confusion ....

I am saying a takeover will leave him in the vclub in some kind of honourary role maybe with some nominal power but stripped of the real decsion making and as long as that happens I am happy with that. As Isaid before I don't give a toss who takes us over as long as they have a clear buisness plan and ambition to tkae us forward.

Gringo, he won't go, IF a takeover happens, he will still be here like a large sore, but in overall control ....

because he openly talked about his legacy of stability and he was talking as if it was an end game. as for not talking about the takeover, he can't can he by stock market rules., of course that never stopped him before ....

nope not any more ...... The mood music is the same, Ellis is going but he just seems to want to stay as long as possible. I have said this before but what has happened to Stride ? Nothing heard from him since the first Comer interest, has he already effectivlty gone ?

clearly from Ellis's pre match interview yesterday he is going and clearly the Comer's have a bid out there and the major terms of it has been excepted. Do I expect it to happen, **** knows !!!

Bob, what rumour that the deal is off, this is just stating what Neville said last week and I guess he had to make an official annoucement today for the stock market as his interview was price sensitive information.

true Mattey, I was thinking of something stronger, but I did not want a yellow card. Back to the PR of today and it is clear that the statement shows serious intent but they have a drop out clause. Of course this means any deal will not be concluded for the transfer window but as we will not go down there is no rush.

Frankly Soccer this is just a poor attempt at wit.

I share your scpetism but rememeber this story has surfaced again from the Comer's/Neville NOT from ellis, it doesn't seem a clever plant by him does it ...

PP, I know where u r coming from but the fact Ellis appears to be a willing seller is the difference isn't it ? I think he realises he is at the end now, he can give no more and wants to go out in his own style, that may mean some frustrations but he is going, the only dispute in my mind is when.

thing is Ickle, is that if Murphy and Moxley are right, what's the rush, why does Ellis want to impose a deadline, surely for him he could just carry on dragging it all out .... Maybe our resident Doc could enlighten us :wink: but is this more an indication that Ellis needs to sell soon because it is clear the club is up for sale isn't it ?

No it didn't Ickle, becuse Ellis wouldn't even let them look at the books because the value was too low. You only allow due dillengence if you are going to accept a bid, all we need to see is for the Comer's to put it into writing and the board (i.e. ellis) then sends the shareholders the offer documents. Whaatever happens this can not be completed by the end of the transfer window but if Ellis has sold by then, it means they can giove money for players, whether they will allow DOL to spend it we will haave to wait,

I agree Ickle but if they were in due dillengence it means surely a bid has been accepted, this we should have been told of. Also Pat Murphy on R5 has just said that the club want to see the money from Neville, but surely it is further than that. He also said Ellis still has a major role but a lot of what Neville and Murphy has said seems to be buttering up an ego.

well I did say eh :wink: however it is clear Neville is still in the game and the no comment from Villa and the lack of any real denial from Ellis's 'friends' shows that despite the delays it is on and surely if it is due dillenge then the bid has gone in and been accepted .... finally to those people who post they don't know about Neville just look at what Ellis is doing now and come up with a better and viable bid ... I will just listen to the wind whistling in the wind ....

yep one of my best pictures, even got the moon in !!! this one was during the day with the temp being 35C

the second one has a running track urgghhhh !! and I love staduims without roofs they seem so much better. How about this one

or try this one at KO aand there is 70,000 in there with neaarly 30,000 seats free

when you look at this picture say to me it is not the best

Size does not matter Manson !!!! Of course most of us can not have visited all these staduims but I have been to 3 of these and by far the Nou camp is the best. I have some great imaages from a night match when I was last there.

No chance Richard, whilst it may look impressive, the Nou Camp is just the most perfect staduim there is. It has everything, a top club team, one of the best cities in the world, great seating (just try the top tier and look at the view), great weather, good set of faans to sit against and just the best out. Wembley is in a shabby north London borough, says it all.

Barcelona by a long distance.

SCG is also a great Staduim. but this is for UK football grounds .. Outside of that you have to add Nou Camp and Bernabeau