Business consortium leads the hunt to buy Villa
A GROUP of Aston Villa-supporting businessmen are close to securing a deal to buy the club from owner Randy Lerner, it has been reported.
Sources have told Sky Sports News that a deal could be completed within the next 48 hours with talks continuing between lawyers in Birmingham and London.
It is reported that the deal could be in the region of £100m, although there is no clarification of this.
The sports channel is reporting that the unnamed consortium is partly based in the UK and partly in mainland Europe. It is said to be carrying out due diligence on the club after being given access to the club’s accounts.
Read next: Ricoh Arena to host major international sporting fixtures
So far there has been no official word from the club on the situation although a statement earlier in the wake issued in the wake of shock resignations by new board members Mervyn King and David Bernstein said that club chairman Steve Hollis was in advanced talks over the sale of the now-relegated club.
The situation was complicated on Friday by an obscure message from owner Randy Lerner to fans, which read like a lament for his years in charge of the club.
In it he he said that he wanted to make it clear that responsibility for relegation rested with him and no one else.
He adds: “Because I believe in Aston Villa and know it will come back stronger and more able, with love and care for the community it serves, with the edge and attitude it must have to represent our history and tradition. Memories of Acorns (Hospice) on the shirt, and Ashley Young scoring a late winner against Everton still romantically nourish me. I know Villa will return better, stronger.”
He concludes by saying: “I will continue to try to put the club into worthy hands as I have, and also do my best to position Villa for the quickest possible return to its rightful place among England’s elite.”
It has been a rollercoaster week for the Villa Park club after its relegation to the Championship was confirmed following its 1-0 defeat to Manchester United at the weekend.
After the twin board departures – the reasons for which have still not been revealed – the club braced staff to expect job losses as it looks to adjust to life in the Championship.
Now it has announced that it is cutting adult season ticket prices for next season.
Such a move appeared inevitable with fans unwilling to pay out Premier League prices for lower league opposition.
The club tried to keep the supporters on side by saying: “Your support will be invaluable as we look for a swift return to the Premier League.
“Your support has been outstanding as always this term and we want you to be with us for next season’s journey as we aim for promotion back to the top-flight, with derby games against the likes of Blues and Wolves on the horizon.”
Season tickets will go on sale from Wednesday (April 27). Prices start at £325 for adults or £14.13 per game, with top-priced tickets at £595. Junior prices begin at £85 or £3.69 per game.
As an added incentive, the club said anyone who bought their season ticket – or renewed it – by May 31 would have the price fixed on their seat for the following 2017/18 season.
