Aston Villa’s new owner wants European games – and has already deposited $100m

THE new owner of Aston Villa has declared that an immediate return to the Premier League is his priority as he begins the task of rebuilding the club.

Dr Tony Xia bought the club last week for a reported £60m in a deal that is subject to the approval of the Premier League and the Football League. Dr Xia, who will become the club’s chairman, has taken 100% ownership of the club through Recon Group.

In an interview in Beijing, China, Dr Xia touched on his ambitions for the Championship club.

“The management team will be the most important to make the club to be in the right position,” he said.

“We are aiming to be promoted in one season, that’s the major test for the next year.”

His ambitions, however, go much further than restoring Aston Villa’s Premier League status.

He said: “To be realistic, we have to get the club to be promoted – that’s the first priority.

“Afterwards, we will try to keep this club to be at least…in the top six, and more chance to play in the European games.”

Dr Xia also rebuffed questions about his personal wealth and ability to fund the investment required to be competitive in the Premier League, but did say that “more than $100m” had been deposited in an account in England.

Aston Villa’s new owner also denied the Chinese Government was involved in the deal. “No way,” he said. “People have too much imagination in that case.”

Watch the full interview on our Facebook page.