markavfc40 Posted January 23, 2006 Share Posted January 23, 2006 This is not based on any facts but just a feeling I have that this coming week will either see the Comers put up or shut up. This has gone on for too long now and regardless of whose fault it is the Comers either need to show the colour of their money or go away. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NurembergVillan Posted January 23, 2006 Moderator Share Posted January 23, 2006 Aston Villa are on the open market after confirmation of what Express & Star readers were told a fortnight ago - a proposed £68m takeover had collapsed. Villa last night confirmed that their talks with AVIL, a consortium led by Birmingham businessman Mike Neville, were going nowhere and called in blue chip financiers Rothschild to lead the hunt for new owners. The statement was released after Villa chairman Doug Ellis tired of months of stalling by the Neville-led consortium who had claimed to have the backing of Irish multi-millionaire property developers Brian and Luke Comer. But that backing has simply not materialised leaving Ellis, now 82 and in ailing health, turning to the world famous Rothschild name to do for Villa what they did for Manchester United and the Glazer family. Villa, in a statement to The Stock Exchange, stated: "The board has held discussions with Aston Villa Investments Limited ('AVIL') in the context of AVIL having provided Aston Villa with an indicative proposal to acquire the company, which if converted into a firm offer, the Board of Aston Villa would recommend to shareholders. "To date the Board is not aware that AVIL has performed detailed due diligence on Aston Villa and has not been provided with evidence of AVIL's financial ability to proceed with an acquisition. "The Board of Aston Villa has with immediate effect appointed Rothschild to act as financial adviser to help it determine the best strategy for the future of Aston Villa. "This includes, amongst other strategies, seeking a possible acquirer for the company who would build on the achievements of the current management team and pave the way for future success." The Express & Star's exclusive stories about the troubles and then collapse of the AVIL proposal was followed by yet another stream of denials. But there have been growing signals of their failure to convince the Comers that Villa was worth the £68m valuation. In recent weeks, their lawyers have been contacting other financiers and developers in a desperate attempt to find extra funding - but to no avail. It will now be up to Rothschild to find Villa, who in recent seasons have fallen away from the top-six challenging position they established in the first 10 years of the Premiership, a new buyer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
icklevillan Posted January 23, 2006 Share Posted January 23, 2006 If Doug had decided that he wasnt going to deal with the Comers, wouldn't there have to be a statement released to the LSE being more explicit than "We've appointed Rothschild because we feel talks with the Comers are slow"? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denis_B Posted January 23, 2006 Share Posted January 23, 2006 If Doug had decided that he wasnt going to deal with the Comers, wouldn't there have to be a statement released to the LSE being more explicit than "We've appointed Rothschild because we feel talks with the Comers are slow"? Come on ickle...... he wants them to appear to be in with a chance to make sure if anyone else comes in the price don't drop...... having said that shares down over 20p this morning Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VillaDave Posted January 23, 2006 Share Posted January 23, 2006 I think the Comers are a busted flush now to be honest. The positive news is that we are clearly up for general sale now. The negative news is that £64M IS the asking price - take it or leave it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
icklevillan Posted January 23, 2006 Share Posted January 23, 2006 If Doug had decided that he wasnt going to deal with the Comers, wouldn't there have to be a statement released to the LSE being more explicit than "We've appointed Rothschild because we feel talks with the Comers are slow"? Come on ickle...... he wants them to appear to be in with a chance to make sure if anyone else comes in the price don't drop...... having said that shares down over 20p this morning It seems the market has bought the press reports and abandoned hopes of a quick sale then. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
icklevillan Posted January 23, 2006 Share Posted January 23, 2006 The positive news is that we are clearly up for general sale now. The negative news is that £64M IS the asking price - take it or leave it. Doug has appointed Rothschild because, amongst other things, the Comers will not pay his asking price. While Rothshild may find someone who will, no-one has turned up yet, and the immense likelihood is that R. will lower the asking price, and sell the club at that price - their job in this is to sell the club, after all. Doug, then, has effectively appointed someone who will lower the asking price because no-one is prepared to meet his. That, to me, is the clearest indicator that this decision was not taken by Doug. The more that Doug was coerced into this, the less likely it is that he still has the clout to demand that Rothschild find a £64m buyer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benji76 Posted January 23, 2006 Share Posted January 23, 2006 isn't it convinent that £64m is very similar to EURO100m. anyway we will be sold, DOL we be sacked and we'll have massive investement in the next transfer window. we've just got to keep our head above water until then. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigwheels Posted January 23, 2006 Share Posted January 23, 2006 "The Board of Aston Villa has with immediate effect appointed Rothschild to act as financial adviser to help it determine the best strategy for the future of Aston Villa. "This includes, amongst other strategies, seeking a possible acquirer for the company who would build on the achievements of the current management team and pave the way for future success." Interesting that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PauloBarnesi Posted January 23, 2006 Share Posted January 23, 2006 Who knows what the reality will be? I don’t think it will be likely, but things could get worse (hard to imagine). The most important appointment whoever takes over will be who manages the club, I just can’t see it being DOL. If its done in the summer there is every chance the manager will be an ex-national manager. Still hoping for Guus from PSV... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David-Copenhagen Posted January 23, 2006 Share Posted January 23, 2006 isn't it convinent that £64m is very similar to EURO100m. anyway we will be sold, DOL we be sacked and we'll have massive investement in the next transfer window. we've just got to keep our head above water until then. Sounds good to me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Posted January 23, 2006 Share Posted January 23, 2006 The negative news is that £64M IS the asking price - take it or leave it. He may ask for 64M but he will not now get it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drat01 Posted January 23, 2006 Share Posted January 23, 2006 "The Board of Aston Villa has with immediate effect appointed Rothschild to act as financial adviser to help it determine the best strategy for the future of Aston Villa. "This includes, amongst other strategies, seeking a possible acquirer for the company who would build on the achievements of the current management team and pave the way for future success." Interesting that.BW - good to see you back. The point about this, and it may have been made before but I cant be arsed to look through 80 odd pages, is that why now does Ellis chose to do something that fans and fans groups such as VFC have been calling for for so long, in terms of looking for outsode investment Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daholteend Posted January 23, 2006 Share Posted January 23, 2006 The appointment of Rothschild's is possibly one of the shrewdest things that HDE has ever done during his tenure at Villa Park. The Glazer's used them to bring about their acquisition of MUSA. All being well the appointment of this highly respected international firm should help AVFC find the best possible ownership whilst satisfying HDE's desire to get the best possible price for his shares. I have a lot more confidence in Rothschild's handling the matter. For HDE's sake and ours, their representation should avoid legal and financial complications that could easily stall a sale of the club long enough for AVFC to stumble into difficulties.( Like that has never happened at Villa Park eh?) Everyone at Villa Park can get on with their jobs and leave the worrying about ownership etc. to those who have control of the matter and let us get on with making our way back up the Prem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Posted January 23, 2006 Share Posted January 23, 2006 The appointment of Rothschild's is possibly one of the shrewdest things that HDE has ever done during his tenure at Villa Park If you believe that Ellis did it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest RantinRob Posted January 23, 2006 Share Posted January 23, 2006 Come on laydeeeeez, still another 15 pages to go Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R.I.C.O. Posted January 23, 2006 Share Posted January 23, 2006 The appointment of Rothschild's is possibly one of the shrewdest things that HDE has ever done during his tenure at Villa Park. . ...only because it means we might be shot of the senile old fool in the not-too distant future.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daholteend Posted January 23, 2006 Share Posted January 23, 2006 Richard, to be honest I don't care who did it . I am just happy that a company with professional experience in this field is handling the matter. If it was Doug's choice , kudos to him, If it was Jack Petchey's advice same to him. If it was a minority shareholder even better, whoever it was give him/her a bag of smarties. I don't even care if it turns out that SGE is behind it just as long as the club sells to an ownership that have the money, vision and desire to make AVFC rank up there with the World Class teams where we have always believed it should be. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
icklevillan Posted January 23, 2006 Share Posted January 23, 2006 The appointment of Rothschild's is possibly one of the shrewdest things that HDE has ever done during his tenure at Villa Park If you believe that Ellis did it. Aren't the rest of the board a bunch of yes-men anyway, though? :roll: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimmygreaves Posted January 23, 2006 Share Posted January 23, 2006 Ellis is out of the loop - too ill, too old, too stubborn. The sale will now be handled by proffessionals who will get the best deal for shareholders. Ellis currently has virtually no power at VP in my opinion any more. Vive la revolution!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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