Hollis: Villa still in talks over club sale
CRISIS club Aston Villa has confirmed that it is still in talks with potential buyers but has hinted that before any deal is completed a new manager will have to be appointed.
The football club, whose relegation from the Premier League was confirmed last month, said executive chairman Steve Hollis remained in active negotiations over the sale of the club.
A statement issued by the club said: “We are in very constructive negotiations which could lead to the sale of the club to a new owner.
“There has been no shortage of parties who would like to own Aston Villa but our negotiations are now with those parties that we believe will have the passion and ambition to return the club to winning the highest honours in European football.”
“The appointment of the manager is at this time inextricably linked to the current negotiations,” it adds.
The club has gone through two managers this season – dispensing with both Tim Sherwood and Remi Garde – before bowing to the inevitable.
Fans had been hoping a new appointment would be completed before the end of the season but no deal has so far been agreed.
It had hinted last month that a deal to sell the club to a consortium of Villa-supporting businessmen was imminent but then nothing happened.
The machinations then saw the departure of high-profile directors Mervyn King and David Bernstein after less than a month – both apparently frustrated at the lack of progress over a deal.
It also confirmed that it has consulted with fans and agreed that under the circumstances the club finds itself in, the traditional end-of-season lap of appreciation was not appropriate.
Many fans had been threatening to air their grievances against the team at the last home game against Newcastle because of the woeful on-field performances this season, that are in marked contrast to the celebrations at East Midlands neighbour Leicester City, whose Premier League winning performance has defied all the odds.
In a meagre show of appreciation to its supporters, Villa said: “Throughout a bitterly disappointing campaign our supporters have been the one positive and the club would like to thank them all for their tremendous support.”
