bully

Why hopefully? Because I hope that this is all going to be resolved very soon and I believe that if one of the first two dont complete the other two will take much, much longer. I fear for us on the pitch if this is not resolved quickly. For the record I have no inside knowledge of any bid. And I haven't impressed by both Neville's and Padfield's comments to date.

Why hopefully? Because I hope that this is all going to be resolved very soon and I believe that if one of the first two dont complete the other two will take much, much longer. I fear for us on the pitch if this is not resolved quickly. For the record I have no inside knowledge of any bid.

You may be right, but as I asked earlier, why all the noise? I think both Neville and AV06 are playing catch up behind Lerner and Still. Both Lerner and Still reportedly held talks at least 2 months ago whilst the other two only came out of the woodwork when Lerner's interest hit the tabloids. They have probably (and hopefully) missed the boat.

yeah but he isnt exactly busting a gut to get it over and done with!!!!!! As far as you know. If he was it would be over and done with by now or very soon, but we look as far away from a takeover as ever! How do you come to that conclusion? :?

RIVALS MAY UNITE By John Curtis, PA Sport The consortia headed by Michael Neville and Nicolas Padmore QC are considering joining forces in the battle to take control of Aston Villa. Padmore is believed to have been approached by representatives of Neville with a view to holding talks over a possible liaison when the former returns from holiday in Corsica at the weekend. Lifelong fan Neville tabled a formal £64million bid to buy Villa last week while Padmore, a deputy judge, has also declared his interest in the midlands club. A source close to AV06 said: "We have had approaches by representatives of other consortia, one of whom is a representative of Michael Neville. We are considering opening discussions." A joint bid would give Neville and Padmore more financial clout to challenge the other interested parties - American billionaire Randy Lerner and the consortium fronted by Athole Still. AV06 have already promised to provide Martin O'Neill with a £50million transfer kitty if he becomes the new manager. O'Neill would be handed £30million to strengthen the squad before the transfer window closes at the end of August and another £20million when it reopens in January. Certain members of AVO6 were understood to originally favour a managerial team of Danish duo Michael Laudrup and John Jensen if they gained control of the midlands club. They were said to be concerned O'Neill would radically overhaul Villa's Academy, which has seen a conveyor belt of talent make its way into the first team squad. But AV06 have spoken with O'Neill's advisors and are confident they could work with the former Leicester and Celtic boss if they win the four-pronged takeover battle. An AV06 spokesman said: "We have spoken with Martin's people and believe we can work with him. "We are looking at a £50million transfer budget - £30million now and a £20million top-up in January." Lerner has re-emerged as a contender to buy Villa after initially expecting to tie up a deal for Villa with chairman Doug Ellis last week although progress is believed to be slower than expected. Lerner, owner of NFL side Cleveland Browns, has also made it clear he sees O'Neill as the kind of top quality manager to replace David O'Leary - who parted company with Villa a fortnight ago. The consortium fronted by Sven-Goran Eriksson's agent Still remains in the frame although, publicly at least, they have kept a low profile for the past week. But sources close to the group are indicating Eriksson, whose reign as England coach officially ended on Monday, is not part of any takeover. Still first met Ellis two months ago and had a second meeting last Wednesday when he was photographed leaving Villa Park. An informal offer was made to Ellis during that meeting which appeared acceptable - although slightly above the asking price - but there has been no contact since from Villa towards Still. The consortium want to rescue Villa from the doldrums on the playing side - they narrowly missed out on relegation from the Barclays Premiership last season - and also make them into a high profile club. He on Wednesday night confirmed the possibility of joining forces with Neville. Padfield told Radio Five Live: "The latest state of play is we have been approached by representatives from other consortia who have already put their hats in the ring. One is a representative of Mr Neville. "We are considering opening discussions with them but haven't taken a firm decision. "Nothing is going to happen until I return (from holiday) at the end of the week. "We haven't had serious discussions yet but an approach has been made to me and certainly I'm quite happy to arrange a meeting when I get back." Padfield added: "One of the crucial issues is the extent to which Doug Ellis wants to retain a stake in the club or whether he is prepared to sell his entire shareholding. "The other critical issue is what the position is as regards the team manager - has one been appointed, is one going to be appointed, the nature of his contract etc. "This will impact on the amount of finance available to buy new players." Padfield insisted: "I have had no discussions with Mr Ellis at all and all of us find it surprising that no-one from the club has bothered to tell us what the position is as regards whether any formal offers have been made or indeed the position as regards appointing a manager. "I am having meetings (with Mr Ellis) next Tuesday. They will be one of a number of meetings but I don't anticipate we will be in a great rush to make a bid simply because we don't have all the relevant information on which to base it." link

I believe that they were Randy's men. Have a good nights sleep, we might need it tomorrow.

If we're gonna have play by play analysis, american football style, I dont want him......... ...............oh alright then

Dont forget Pissy

It will be hopefully later this week, and given the official takeover statement made this morning there will defo be no one on one meetings between dopey and randy.

IMHO this report is false. I believe they will talk to MON, if they havent already. PB, I always respect you r opinion because I know you are well informed and not inclined to speculate without a reasoned base. But this story rings true to me because this appears to be a "European" consortium. MON has a high profile in the UK, but apparently not in Europe. They talk about bringing in players from La Liga; sounds plausible - it has worked for other clubs anyway. If you believe that part, then MON might not be the man for the job. Of course, if you don't believe any of it, then fair enough My source' info agrees with Baggie Bill.

My source (usually reliable etc.) tells me that there is a Swedish consortium interested and that they would appoint shagger Sven if a takeover was successful. Dont shoot the messenger.

AVFC board meeting to discuss future plans, was it?

Here's one for the Malc knockers to refer to at a later date the share price is likely to rise in the very near future on the back of two new bids. Care to elaborate?

Sunderland have large debts hence the lower asking price.

More chance of this reaching page 200 than the Comers buying Doug out me thinks.

Neville speaks to the BBC

Dont spoil the fun Rich!

Mail calls on Villa to come clean Jan 20 2006 By Steve Dyson, Editor, Birmingham Mail IT'S time for somebody to come clean on the Villa takeover. Fans are fed up with being told the £64 million deal proposed by Brian and Luke Comer, fronted by self-professed 'lifelong Villa fan' Michael Neville, is 'almost done'. Yet another 'deadline' has passed and still there is nothing to report on a deal first mooted in October. Last weekend, we were told, was to be crucial to the Irish brothers' hopes of succeeding. And yet the days continue to pass and the silence is deafening on real progress. All we hear is Neville insisting the deal is alive, or hints from club sources that the deal is on the verge of collapse because the buyers are still £10 million short. Story continues ADVERTISEMENT Reports from Ireland even suggest the proposed buy-out has, in fact, already ground to a halt due to conflicting views over the club's worth. What is clear is that Villa fans deserve the truth and a simple answer to a simple question: Is the deal on or not? The initial buzz on the terraces about a brave new dawn at Villa Park has now turned to frustration - and scepticism. And, to be honest, the failure to close or reject the deal after three months of talking is making a laughing stock of the club. The takeover was supposed to be completed before Christmas... then before the New Year... then just after the New Year, enabling David O'Leary to have £20 million to spend in the transfer window. So what's the delay? And what of the unrest the protracted negotiations are causing in the dressing room? O'Leary has stated more than once that takeover uncertainty is having an adverse effect on his players, (we pointedly commented on as much the day after the infamous 0-3 Doncaster result). Some observers point out, of course, that continuing due diligence as the books get pored over in minute detail will always prevent any trumpet fanfare until a deal is done or collapses. But something just doesn't add up. While key figures at Villa want to sell, including major shareholder Jack Petchey, it seems that chairman Doug Ellis might not want to hand over the reins. There has been sustained, gentle persuasion from inside the boardroom for Ellis to step aside, for his health if nothing else. The problem is that a triple heart bypass operation and prostate cancer have failed to curb Ellis' enthusiasm for a 70-hour week. He was even back behind his desk last week hours after having a minor operation, under anaesthetic, at Priory Hospital. This is not the action of a man getting ready to sell up. And he has uttered as much in private to those who have his ear, sources today hinting he is unhappy with the Irish delay and is on the brink of pulling the plug. Ray Ranson didn't even get to first base with his bid last year because Ellis simply would not sell. OK, the Comers have brought an extra £20 million to the table, but they too are now struggling at second base. Those with long memories will recall Ellis telling shareholders at October's Annual General Meeting that he hoped to have some concrete proposals within a month. That concrete now appears to be a collection of loose pebbles. And so, Doug - and anyone else keeping cards close to their chests in this agonising chapter of Villa's history - the Birmingham Mail today says your time is up. And we demand that you tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth on exactly where these talks are going. Villa fans deserve nothing less.

Is it true that both Comer brothers have flatly refused to play Doug at tennis for the right to prove that they are the men to take the company forward? :roll:

I'm not sure if Neil Moxley is just a mouthpiece for Ellis, but if there is any truth to this story then maybe we are better off without the Comers. But also without Doug of course, NEXT BIDDER PLEASE.....

Sky Sports takeover stalled story

Ellis is definitely too old for first team football, despite what he thinks.

For those that dont know Athenry is in the same part of Ireland as our new owners *crosses everything possible* hail from, so here is a little ditty to make our Galway boys feel at home . Low lie the fields of Villa Park Where once we watched the Villa slowly die But the Comers they came in Gave us dreams and songs to sing Now it's not so lonely round the fields of Villa Park Feel free to edit/improve Merry Christmas, I hope this present comes with batteries.

It will always be the Witton Lane stand to me

Daily Mail and WM are linking us to Rodriguez of Villarreal, an Argie international defender. Sorry no links.