$200 Million Takeover

[AlwaysAVFC]

Thinking about these theories regarding us already being bought but no announcement until September; there could be some truth in this.

I recall Villa being held to ransom on transfers because other clubs knew of Lerner's intent to spend big, hence paying £8m for the likes of Reo-Coker. Perhaps Lerner has passed this information on to a new owner and the new guy has decided to throw in a couple of cheap signings in order to fill the squad whilst making us look like paupers at the same time. Then, Lerner suddenly pops up over here with the intent of getting more involved due to Faulkner's departure, and then we start doing some more serious deals for decent money without being asked to pay over the odds.

It's a very big "what if" but you never know.

While I try to stay optimistic, worryingly if it's true Hutton's move got blocked, it's either a massive over the top cover up to hide any deal already In place, we don't want to sell any player good or otherwise to our neighbours, the new owners are showing signs of madness and rate Hutton or we need all the help we can get/keep hold of.

[villan501]

Cant see takeover happening this season new owners wont want players like richardson cole and senderos around especially when they just signed.

[useless]

Whilst I think they're okay for a our current situation I'd be worried if we did secretly have new owners and they were sanctioning moves for the players we've been signing. Not that I expect any new owners will be able to sign absolute superstars I'd just hope for a bit better.

 

Plus, presuming that we'd be telling our new signing who they were signing for in terms of a owner I think it would be awfully difficult to keep this a secret. As it stands I guess all they need to be told is that the club is for sale.

[VillaHatesMe]

Cant see takeover happening this season new owners wont want players like richardson cole and senderos around especially when they just signed.

When actually buying a soccer team you don't quite take the same approach as you do when deciding on a job offer in FIFA.

[HeyAnty]

Nursery seems to think Villa are going to start spending again from what he is hearing within the club. Here is hoping.

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/aston-villa-owner-randy-lerner-3838726

With the American struggling to sell the club, he must open the chequebook before the transfer window shuts, says James Nursery

Hard sell: Randy Lerner must protect his investment

Randy Lerner has been a decent, generous owner for Aston Villa and no-one can accuse him of not spending much during his reign.

He has ploughed in over £300million , including buying it in 2006, and now wants out to pass on the baton to a new owner, which is not unreasonable.

When Lerner goes, the club's top-notch training ground, slick commercial operation, decent academy, refurbished historic Holte pub and Villa's admirable charitable links, notably with Acorns, will all be part of his legacy.

But if he leaves Villa in a mess on the pitch and facing relegation or worse still in the Championship then all that will realistically count for little and be forgotten.

It is a relevant discussion now because with seven weeks until the transfer window shuts, these are critical times for Villa.

The loss of respected chief executive Paul Faulkner will leave some fans and employees wondering what the heck is going on.

Faulkner, an FA board member, got flak from some frustrated fans in recent years as the club has toiled.

But he was liked within the club and a long-serving Villa employee told me he was easily the best CEO they had served under.

Without Faulkner following his shock exit this week, the club's secretary of 25 years Sharon Barnhurst will have increased responsibilities and acting chief executive Robin Russell has stepped up from the finance department.

America-based Lerner has flown to the UK for crunch meetings to handle the situation and is taking an active role which is encouraging.

Neville Williams

Dwindling: Fabian Delph only has 12 months left on his current deal

But Lerner is most likely to still be owner when the transfer window shuts as he confirmed just this week no takeover is close.

Last I heard, no-one had even started due diligence so a sale must be months away at the very least.

In the meantime, I don't think Lerner can afford not to invest in new quality signings.

Lerner effectively shut his wallet at the end of last season when he publicly put the club up for sale and put a block on any new major contracts and purchases.

But failure to strengthen now means boss Paul Lambert will basically have to rely for more than half the season with a squad that has already been battling relegation for successive seasons.

So far Lambert has brought in just Joe Cole and Philippe Senderos on Bosmans.

Given he has no huge transfer kitty at his disposal they look reasonable -and crucially cheap - additions to bring in experienced Premier League players.

But without more quality, the facts suggest Villa will be in for a huge struggle after coming 15th the last two seasons and 16th before that.

There is also the issue of addressing the contracts of Ron Vlaar, Fabian Delph and Gabby Agbonlahor, who all have just 12 months left on their deals.

The stock of Vlaar is high after Holland's fine World Cup while Delph was player of the season last year.

This also has to be addressed ASAP to either extend their contracts and prevent the club losing an asset for nothing next summer – or sell them to give Lambert fresh funds.

Neville Williams

New face: Roy Keane has joined the coaching staff at Villa Park

I have written before how Lambert actually did Lerner a massive favour in the summer by not quitting.

My suggestion fans should THANK Lambert for staying provoked plenty of feedback on Twitter – most of it impolite!

But I felt Aston Villa couldn't afford any more uncertainty this season and Lambert provides some much-needed continuity.

That is the case more so than ever post-Faulkner and I think my argument as been vindicated as Lerner has struggled to sell the club and consequently replacing Lambert would have been difficult with few bosses keen on moving to a club in takeover limbo.

But Lerner will effectively hang Lambert out to dry if he doesn't give him cash to spend on quality players because the Scot will badly cop it from fans if Villa get off to a bad start.

Many were already on his back last season anyway after the club finished the season with seven defeats in nine games.

OK Charles N'Zogbia, Darren Bent and Alan Hutton are now back in the fold but no-one can surely expect instant miracles from that trio.

New assistant manager Roy Keane is sure to get a bit extra out of the players on the training field – one way or another.

But if Villa are fielding a side in September post the window shutting with players in the last year of their contract and only Bosman signings to help them, then Lambert and Lerner and going to need a lot of luck this season.

If selling Villa now is difficult then I wouldn't fancy trying to offload a Championship club.

So I think Lerner has to actually invest again now to protect his investment and his legacy and from what I have heard within the club, the 'penny' is finally dropping on that front.

[TrentVilla]

I am still confident that a takeover will be announced before September.

No chance that just isn't going to happen.

[DCJonah]

Nursery seems to think Villa are going to start spending again from what he is hearing within the club.

The article doesn't say that.

Its another article defending Paul Lambert.

[HeyAnty]

Nursery seems to think Villa are going to start spending again from what he is hearing within the club.

The article doesn't say that.

Its another article defending Paul Lambert.

Read it all.

'So I think Lerner has to actually invest again now to protect his investment and his legacy and from what I have heard within the club, the 'penny' is finally dropping on that front.'

Edited July 11, 2014 by HeyAnty

[DCJonah]

Nursery seems to think Villa are going to start spending again from what he is hearing within the club.

The article doesn't say that.

Its another article defending Paul Lambert.

Read it all.

'So I think Lerner has to actually invest again now to protect his investment and his legacy and from what I have heard within the club, the 'penny' is finally dropping on that front.'

Apologies I missed that bit.

If a takeover isn't happening you would hope our spending will increase to ensure we survive.

[ozvillafan]

Randy Lerner has been a decent, generous owner for Aston Villa and no-one can accuse him of not spending much during his reign.

He has ploughed in over £300million , including buying it in 2006, and now wants out to pass on the baton to a new owner, which is not unreasonable.

When Lerner goes, the club's top-notch training ground, slick commercial operation, decent academy, refurbished historic Holte pub and Villa's admirable charitable links, notably with Acorns, will all be part of his legacy.

But if he leaves Villa in a mess on the pitch and facing relegation or worse still in the Championship then all that will realistically count for little and be forgotten.

 

Well said - especially the last line....

 

... though I can't shake the feeling many will gloss over any Lerner positives in an attempt to justify their point of view.

 

 

I have written before how Lambert actually did Lerner a massive favour in the summer by not quitting.

 

That may be true - but I have to ask: Where else was he going to go?

[AVTuco]

Nursery seems to think Villa are going to start spending again from what he is hearing within the club.

The article doesn't say that.

Its another article defending Paul Lambert.

Read it all.

'So I think Lerner has to actually invest again now to protect his investment and his legacy and from what I have heard within the club, the 'penny' is finally dropping on that front.'

Apologies I missed that bit.

If a takeover isn't happening you would hope our spending will increase to ensure we survive.

The article doesn't say that Lerner thinks it's necessary to increase spending to stay up.

If Vlaar and Delph stay, a good manager would find a way to keep us in the preimier league, I believe. Lerner may think so too.

[Richard]

 

I am still confident that a takeover will be announced before September.

No chance that just isn't going to happen.

 

I'd be amazed if we under new ownership by the time of the january window to be honest

[useless]

I wouldn't be surprised if something happened around September time. I've got my eye on that month.

[AntrimBlack]

Nursery seems to think Villa are going to start spending again from what he is hearing within the club. Here is hoping.

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/aston-villa-owner-randy-lerner-3838726

With the American struggling to sell the club, he must open the chequebook before the transfer window shuts, says James Nursery

Hard sell: Randy Lerner must protect his investment

Randy Lerner has been a decent, generous owner for Aston Villa and no-one can accuse him of not spending much during his reign.

He has ploughed in over £300million , including buying it in 2006, and now wants out to pass on the baton to a new owner, which is not unreasonable.

When Lerner goes, the club's top-notch training ground, slick commercial operation, decent academy, refurbished historic Holte pub and Villa's admirable charitable links, notably with Acorns, will all be part of his legacy.

But if he leaves Villa in a mess on the pitch and facing relegation or worse still in the Championship then all that will realistically count for little and be forgotten.

It is a relevant discussion now because with seven weeks until the transfer window shuts, these are critical times for Villa.

The loss of respected chief executive Paul Faulkner will leave some fans and employees wondering what the heck is going on.

Faulkner, an FA board member, got flak from some frustrated fans in recent years as the club has toiled.

But he was liked within the club and a long-serving Villa employee told me he was easily the best CEO they had served under.

Without Faulkner following his shock exit this week, the club's secretary of 25 years Sharon Barnhurst will have increased responsibilities and acting chief executive Robin Russell has stepped up from the finance department.

America-based Lerner has flown to the UK for crunch meetings to handle the situation and is taking an active role which is encouraging.

Neville Williams

Dwindling: Fabian Delph only has 12 months left on his current deal

But Lerner is most likely to still be owner when the transfer window shuts as he confirmed just this week no takeover is close.

Last I heard, no-one had even started due diligence so a sale must be months away at the very least.

In the meantime, I don't think Lerner can afford not to invest in new quality signings.

Lerner effectively shut his wallet at the end of last season when he publicly put the club up for sale and put a block on any new major contracts and purchases.

But failure to strengthen now means boss Paul Lambert will basically have to rely for more than half the season with a squad that has already been battling relegation for successive seasons.

So far Lambert has brought in just Joe Cole and Philippe Senderos on Bosmans.

Given he has no huge transfer kitty at his disposal they look reasonable -and crucially cheap - additions to bring in experienced Premier League players.

But without more quality, the facts suggest Villa will be in for a huge struggle after coming 15th the last two seasons and 16th before that.

There is also the issue of addressing the contracts of Ron Vlaar, Fabian Delph and Gabby Agbonlahor, who all have just 12 months left on their deals.

The stock of Vlaar is high after Holland's fine World Cup while Delph was player of the season last year.

This also has to be addressed ASAP to either extend their contracts and prevent the club losing an asset for nothing next summer – or sell them to give Lambert fresh funds.

Neville Williams

New face: Roy Keane has joined the coaching staff at Villa Park

I have written before how Lambert actually did Lerner a massive favour in the summer by not quitting.

My suggestion fans should THANK Lambert for staying provoked plenty of feedback on Twitter – most of it impolite!

But I felt Aston Villa couldn't afford any more uncertainty this season and Lambert provides some much-needed continuity.

That is the case more so than ever post-Faulkner and I think my argument as been vindicated as Lerner has struggled to sell the club and consequently replacing Lambert would have been difficult with few bosses keen on moving to a club in takeover limbo.

But Lerner will effectively hang Lambert out to dry if he doesn't give him cash to spend on quality players because the Scot will badly cop it from fans if Villa get off to a bad start.

Many were already on his back last season anyway after the club finished the season with seven defeats in nine games.

OK Charles N'Zogbia, Darren Bent and Alan Hutton are now back in the fold but no-one can surely expect instant miracles from that trio.

New assistant manager Roy Keane is sure to get a bit extra out of the players on the training field – one way or another.

But if Villa are fielding a side in September post the window shutting with players in the last year of their contract and only Bosman signings to help them, then Lambert and Lerner and going to need a lot of luck this season.

If selling Villa now is difficult then I wouldn't fancy trying to offload a Championship club.

So I think Lerner has to actually invest again now to protect his investment and his legacy and from what I have heard within the club, the 'penny' is finally dropping on that front.

 

Any one of us on this forum could have written that article.

It is a mixture of what we already know, guesswork, and stating what we all know is required.

Nothing new - a page filler.

[jacketspuds]

Let's hope that, if no takeover is in the pipeline by the start of August, Lerner gives Lambert £20m or so to bring in a couple of quality players.

[GENTLEMAN]

 

I am still confident that a takeover will be announced before September.

Confident? Do you know something or just a feeling?

 

My optimistic feelings. When do other people expect us to be sold? 

[Amo69]

I am still confident that a takeover will be announced before September.

Confident? Do you know something or just a feeling?

My optimistic feelings. When do other people expect us to be sold?

If and when we end in the Championship I expect us to be sold very cheaply.

[dn1982]

I am still confident that a takeover will be announced before September.

Confident? Do you know something or just a feeling?

My optimistic feelings. When do other people expect us to be sold?

If and when we end in the Championship I expect us to be sold very cheaply.

Any date on this relegation or is it open ended? At the moment our squad is stronger than last year and without the terrible end to season we would have been comfortably mid table. I think we will have further improvements to the squad and we will have an ok season. Lerner knows a relegation is financial suicide so I expect him to back us at least to the normal levels.

[AntrimBlack]

 

 

Nursery seems to think Villa are going to start spending again from what he is hearing within the club.

The article doesn't say that.

Its another article defending Paul Lambert.

Read it all.

'So I think Lerner has to actually invest again now to protect his investment and his legacy and from what I have heard within the club, the 'penny' is finally dropping on that front.'

 

 

It is only guesswork. No basis in fact.

[mykeyb]

If anyone can mismanage selling AVFC I am sure Lerner will be right up there at the top of the list