Monday, 21st April, 2014
Aston Villa chairman Randy Lerner has said that he will take a decision on whether or not to sell the English club only once the season ends.
Rumours suggesting the sale of the team to two American billionaires had been doing the rounds recently, but Lerner, who acquired the control of the cub in 2006, played down all talks of a change in ownership. He insisted on the need to focus on the on-field activities as he praised manager Paul Lambert for reviving the side with a goalless draw against Southampton on the back of four consecutive defeats.
"Following the point yesterday at Villa Park, there have been stories about my selling the club. On a personal level, I had hoped the emphasis would have been on the amazing effort on the part of our manager and our players to regroup throughout a very difficult week”, the American owner said in a statement on the club’s site.
“Injuries to Libor [Kozak] and Christian [Benteke], compounded with the early loss of Jores [Okore] and the difficult rehab of Charles [N’Zogbia] have no doubt left Paul with far less to work with than is fair.
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“Still, Paul Lambert has done nothing but work within the parameters I've set, put the Club first and continue to trust his players”, the 52-year-old continued.
“As regards my personal role at the club and the steady rumours of a sale, I will address these after the season. Paul Lambert, Paul Faulkner and I speak daily and remain committed to the immediate job of limiting distraction and confusion in order that Villa have the best chance possible of finishing on a strong note."
The Claret and Blues are just five points off the relegation zone and will look to better their chances of survival when they face Swansea City, Hull City, Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur over the remaining few weeks of the season.
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