Chinese owners wield the axe at Villa Park

MANAGER Roberto Di Matteo has paid the price for Aston Villa’s poor start to life in the Championship by being sacked by the club’s Chinese owner.

In a statement, the club said: “The club decided to act following a run of disappointing results which has the left the team occupying 19th position in the Championship.

“The club would like to place on record its appreciation to Roberto for all his efforts in helping rebuild the squad and wish him well for the future.”

Steve Clarke will take over as caretaker manager during the search for a new manager.

The club said it would be making no further statement.

The statement is a far cry from what new owner Tony Xia had to say just a few months ago when he secured the Italian’s services.

He said: “My long-term aim is to make Aston Villa the greatest club in the world, a club taking the leadership of the modern new age – maybe more than that.

“I am happy that Roberto was willing to take this challenge with us. I do need someone who is really into this and also confident enough to succeed. I think he is the right one.

“He is someone with successful experience in the Championship, successful experience in the Premier League and is a European champion.

“Also, he is one of the most intelligent coaches I have known. I can say, just like me, we are common in the way that we can succeed in different fields.”

Lastly – and the most importantly – he said the Italian understood what his ambitions were and had the will to make it happen.

Just 11 games into the season and the manager has gone.

The decision will serve as warning that despite appearances, Xia is quite ruthless in what he wants to achieve and will not accept second best following what is, a significant investment into the club.

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The fans’ verdict

Andy Coyne – Season Ticket Holder

“Villa were so awful last season when they were relegated from the Premier League that most sensible fans realised there was unlikely to be a quick turnaround in fortune even in a lower division.

“But having spent £50m on players in the summer – including a record transfer fee in the Championship – supporters expected to see at least a sign that we were heading in the right direction.

“But 11 games in and with just one win on the board it had already become apparent that Di Matteo wasn’t the man to turn the Villa ‘tanker’ around.

“He will be remembered by Villa fans as a nice guy in charge during a period when a much firmer hand was needed.

“Whoever takes over from him will need to be much more tactically aware and realise that Championship points have to be fought for.”