Aston Villa

Villa takeover talks continuing
Aston Villa chairman Doug Ellis has confirmed talks are ongoing regarding a possible takeover of the club. Four consortia have been linked to a takeover, with the American billionaire Randy Lerner favourite to become the Midlands club's new owner. In a statement to shareholders released on the Stock Exchange, Ellis said: \"Extensive discussions are ongoing. \"They are to determine whether a formal offer for the issued share capital of the company will be forthcoming.\" Local businessman Michael Neville is heading a separate consortium with an interest in taking over the club - and another group is headed by Nicholas Padfield QC. The fourth is understood to be fronted by former England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson's agent Athole Still. Preliminary results for the year ending 31 May 2006 have revealed that Villa made an £8.2m loss before tax in contrast to a £3m profit in the same period in the previous year. Revenue dropped from £51.6m to £49m, with attendances down 8.7%. Martin O'Neill was appointed as the club's new manager on 4 August following the departure of David O'Leary. The Northern Irishman says he will allow any player who is unhappy at the club to leave. Doubts surround the future of Juan Pablo Angel, Milan Baros and Lee Hendrie, while Gareth Barry and Olof Mellberg appear ready to commit themselves to the club. Mellberg is quitting as captain of Sweden to concentrate on his career under O'Neill. O'Neill said: \"I need to speak to all the disenchanted players. I wouldn't want people like Angel, Baros, Hendrie or Barry walking out the door without having spoken to me. \"On a general basis, I will try to persuade them to stay but if I'm unable to, if I can't convince them, I don't want to keep those who are unhappy.\"

O'Neill not being drawn on Petrov
New Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill has refused to be drawn on whether he is considering a raid on former club Celtic for midfielder Stilian Petrov. O'Neill, following a 2-1 friendly defeat by NEC Nijmegen in his first match in charge, told Sir Stanley he was taking a few days to assess his squad. The Northern Irishman said it would be the weekend at the earliest before he drew up a transfer hitlist. O'Neill has also been linked with a move for Celtic's Neil Lennon. Lennon, Celtic's veteran club captain, was on the bench for Sunday's 2-1 defeat by Hearts. But he later told Sir Stanley that he was prepared to stay in Glasgow to fight for his place. Bulgaria captain Petrov has, however, told Celtic that he wants a move to the Premiership. Portsmouth have already had bids for the 27-year-old turned down. Petrov scored against Hearts but is becoming frustrated at Celtic demanding more than £5m for his services. \"There are some funds available and I'm going to use them,\" said O'Neill. \"We need to try to strengthen the side. \"I know plenty of people and players, but whether you can turn contacts into signings is a totally different issue. \"But, whatever we have at our disposal, I'm going to try to use.\"

Lerner agrees takeover of Villa
Aston Villa's board have accepted a £62.6m takeover of the club from American billionaire Randy Lerner. A club statement on the Stock Exchange said a stake of 56.85% of majority shareholders had been secured by Lerner at 547 pence per share. Four consortia had been linked with the club but the Villa board have recommended 44-year-old Lerner's offer to shareholders. Doug Ellis, 82, chairman from 1968-75 and since 1982, is to stand down. He has been the target of constant supporter unrest in recent seasons, with fans upset at his lack of financial backing. However, he stated: \"It has been my sincere pleasure to have been involved with Aston Villa these many years, both as chairman and as a substantial shareholder. \"The club has been an enormous and immensely enjoyable part of my life. \"I wish to thank the many staff at Aston Villa over the years for making the club what it has been and what it is. \"I am sure this transaction will be the beginning of a new chapter in Aston Villa's proud history.\" The statement from Villa revealed the club had been involved in negotiations with a number of parties Villa recently appointed Martin O'Neill as manager and each of the groups in the race to buy the club were reported to be happy with his appointment in the midst of the takeover battle. Michael Neville, a local businessman and Villa fan, headed one group that was keen to assume control of the club, while another was put together by Nicholas Padfield QC. Athole Still, the agent of former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson, was also believed to be interested in a takeover. Lerner, who owns American football team Cleveland Browns, conducted the offer through his company Reform Acquisitions Ltd (RAL), which was specifically set up to launch his bid. The deal could still be hijacked but at present Lerner's offer has been deemed most appropriate. \"The discussions with interested parties have resulted in the Offer by RAL,\" said Villa's statement. \"The board of Aston Villa believes that RAL's offer not only fairly values Aston Villa but that RAL will also provide the potential for the club's future on-field success.\" Lerner said: \"It is my belief and the basis for my bid that Aston Villa can compete at the highest level within the Premiership and in Europe. \"The club has a rich history and a long tradition of passionate fan support.\" O'Neill is now likely to have more transfer funds available to spend before the transfer window closes on 31 August. In the statement, RAL added: \"We will be looking to allocate financial resources across multiple fronts such as an upgraded training ground and facilities, which are intended to include the academy, stadium upgrades and player acquisitions.\" Ellis is believed to have wanted some sort of honorary role in what is believed to have stalled negotiations with the Lerner consortium.

O'Neill poised to extend contract
Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill is expected to sign a long-term deal if billionaire Randy Lerner takes control of the club, Sir Stanley The contract would be the longest held by any current Premiership manager. O'Neill took over at Villa on 4 August after agreeing a 12-month rolling contract with chairman Doug Ellis. But he had already held \"detailed discussions\" with Lerner and agreed the terms of a contract, a source close to the American told Sir Stanley. O'Neill also gained assurances from Ellis that he would relinquish control of the club. The source has told Sir Stanley that O'Neill and Lerner struck up a good rapport when they met and that they \"share a mutual love of football and American Football\". Lerner, who is the chairman of credit card company MBNA, has vowed to provide the resources to turn Villa into one of the top four teams in the Premiership. The 44-year-old has made an offer of £62.6m for the Midlands club, which has been accepted by its board. An emergency general meeting of Villa's shareholders has now been called to discuss the bid. Lerner and his financial adviser Keith Harris, who brokered Roman Abramovich's purchase of Chelsea, had been \"thinking through\" a deal for Villa for the last two years, according to the source. The American is said to see a lot of similarities between the cities of Cleveland and Birmingham. Lerner took sole control of the Cleveland Browns gridiron team when his father died in 2002 and claims to have turned them into the best-supported team in the NFL. Villa finished 16th in the Premiership last season and manager David O'Leary parted company with the club in July.

Rival warns Lerner over Villa bid
A rival consortium says it is putting together a £70m bid to buy Aston Villa - £7.4m more than the package offered by American billionaire Randy Lerner. The Villa board has accepted Lerner's £62.6m package and recommended his offer to the club's shareholders. But Nicholas Padfield QC, of the AV06 group, told the Independent newspaper: \"This is by no means over. \"We are indefatigable in our efforts to secure the club because we have the club's interests at heart.\" There are believed to be four consortia interested in taking over at Villa, with local businessman Michael Neville and Sven Goran Eriksson's agent Athole Still heading the other two. The decision of long-standing chairman Doug Ellis - and the Villa Board - to opt for Lerner's offer appeared to have placed the American as firm favourite. But Padfield, a deputy high court judge, added: \"We are not American, and want to fly the flag.\" Padfield refused to name the people behind his consortium but maintained: \"I'm not prepared to go into details but certainly we have billionaires.\" He went on to add that \"irrevocable undertakings\" given to Lerner will become void if another bid of 5% or more above Lerner's is made, meaning any offer over £66m will be given consideration.

Arsenal v Aston Villa
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger: \"We play three times in a week. \"Add in the international matches and that means we play four times at the beginning of the season. \"I will have to make choices to find the right mixture between people who have played the internationals and those who have not played.\" -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- BIG-MATCH FACTS ARSENAL and Aston Villa both begin new eras, as they prepare to do battle in their opening Premiership duel. The Londoners play their first competitive match in the prestigious new setting of the £390 million Emirates Stadium, just a short walk from Highbury - their much cherished home for 93 years. Arsene Wenger knows expectations are high as he begins his 11th season with the north Londoners. The 60,000 capacity at their new ground in Ashburton Grove will give Wenger much needed spending power. This compares with last season's Premiership average attendance of 38,186. The losing Champions League finalists finished outside the Premiership's top two for the first time in nine years. Their fourth placing has resulted in an early season qualifying fixture with Dinamo Zagreb for a place in Europe's elite club competition, and with a 0-3 lead from the away leg, Arsenal are well placed, ahead of Wednesday's second leg. The Gunners are aiming to collect a ninth consecutive home League victory over Villa. That would also extend their unbeaten home top flight run against the Midlanders to 13, since a 1-2 defeat on 6 November 1993 when Guy Whittingham and Andy Townsend did the damage. ASTON VILLA are soon to be under new ownership, and anticipation for the campaign ahead is at fever pitch with one of the hottest properties in football management now at the helm. But it would be a shock of gigantic proportions if Martin O'Neill could steer Villa to their eighth League title. The sole Midlands representatives in the Premiership are one of four founder members of the Football League competing in this season's top division. The Claret and Blues have not won in 15 Premiership clashes home and away against the north Londoners, since a 3-2 success at Villa Park on 13 December 1998. Dion Dublin scored twice for Villa, and Dennis Bergkamp got a brace for the visitors. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Referee: Graham Poll (Hertfordshire)

O'Neill chase for Petrov falters
Celtic have rebuffed an approach from new Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill for midfielder Stilian Petrov. The Bulgarian has made public his desire to leave the Scottish champions and the ex-Celtic boss has been in touch about his former player. Celtic manager Gordon Strachan said: \"I spoke to Martin this week but the conversation is finished and Stan is still our player.\" Portsmouth have already had bids for the 27-year-old turned down. Petrov, who is contracted until 2010 at Celtic Park, wants a move to the Premiership. Strachan hopes to keep hold of the player who has scored twice in three league games this season. However, he could not guarantee that Petrov would not be sold on. \"I would like to keep everybody that I have got here,\" continued Strachan. \"But Bayern Munich look set to sell Owen Hargreaves (who Manchester United are interested in) after saying he is definitely not going and AC Milan also sold Andriy Shevchenko to Chelsea so you never know for certain. \"Everybody has got a price in football but I would rather everybody stayed and we could bring people in. \"We all know if someone says, 'there's £100m for Stan Petrov', and we say, 'he's not for sale', that is silly. \"The dialogue is finished now and things have not changed one iota. \"Stan has showed he is 100% committed in the last couple of weeks on the football field. \"The best thing for a lot of us would be when the transfer window comes everything will be put to bed for a while. \"Hopefully he will play for a long time here and continue to score goals as he has done in the last couple of weeks.\"

Arsenal 1-1 Aston Villa
Brazilian midfielder Gilberto Silva scored a late goal to salvage a point for Arsenal in their first Premiership match at the Emirates Stadium. Villa skipper Olof Mellberg gave the visitors a shock lead when he headed in from a corner after 53 minutes. Gilberto equalised six minutes before the end following excellent work from teenage substitute Theo Walcott. Villa then withstood a late onslaught to ensure that Martin O'Neill's tenure as manager got off to a great start. O'Neill, who was appointed Villa boss at the start of August, seems to have immediately suffused confidence and belief into his young side. Gareth Barry, Steven Davis and Gavin McCann were outstanding for the visitors in midfield while 19-year-old Gabriel Agbonlahor was a real threat on the break. Arsenal were their usual blend of touch and movement, dominating possession and creating a host of chances, but they lacked sharpness in front of goal. Agbonlahor had the first good chance of the game when he drew a smart save from Jens Lehmann with a volley from 15 yards. Thierry Henry was predictably the main threat for the hosts and had a hat-trick of shots from the edge of the area, all of which flew over the crossbar. The Gunners thought they had broken the deadlock after three minutes of first-half stoppage time. Kole Toure headed in a left-wing corner from close range, but his effort was ruled out for offside. The goal would have been hard on Villa, who were organised and resilient, in sharp contrast to their showings under David O'Leary at the end of last season. The home crowd were incensed shortly after the interval when Emmanuel Eboue went down following a tussle with Luke Moore. As new Premier League guidelines dictate, Villa played on when referee Graham Poll did not whistle. If the Arsenal supporters were angry with that decision, they were stunned when the visitors scored the first goal in a competitive game at the Emirates Stadium. Lehmann failed to collect a left-wing corner, Mellberg rising above Emmanuel Adebayor to head into an unguarded net. Arsenal responded by laying siege to the Villa goal but struggled to find a way through. Adebayor almost atoned for his earlier error but saw his close-range effort cleared off the line by Liam Ridgewell. Walcott was brought on for his first Premiership appearance and played a key role in Arsenal's equaliser. His cross from the left eventually fell to Gilberto, who thumped a volley into the roof of the net. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger on Theo Walcott: \"I know a lot is expected from him but I am pleased. \"He had that sharpness that we missed and was dangerous on the left flank. He was involved in the goal and his overall performance was very positive. \"It was a typical beginning of the season game where the players were not completely ready physically, added to the fact that many of them played 90 minutes in midweek.\" Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill: \"I'm still trying to get to know my players, but I thought they were terrific it's a great result. \"It is a big boost to confidence. If we had been hammered it would have looked like a long hard season. \"I cannot do anything about the expectation but we are not going to become a really decent team overnight.\" -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Arsenal: Lehmann, Eboue, Toure, Djourou, Hoyte (Flamini 80), Hleb, Fabregas, Silva, Ljungberg (Walcott 73), Adebayor (Van Persie 65), Henry. Subs Not Used: Almunia, Cygan. Booked: Toure. Goals: Silva 84. Aston Villa: Sorensen, Hughes, Mellberg, Ridgewell, Samuel, Agbonlahor, McCann, Davis (Hendrie 83), Barry, Angel (Laursen 90), Moore (Djemba-Djemba 89). Subs Not Used: Taylor, Phillips. Booked: Hendrie, Angel. Goals: Mellberg 53. Att: 60,023. Ref: G Poll (Hertfordshire).

Lerner to take low-key Villa role
Prospective Aston Villa owner Randy Lerner has vowed not to interfere with Martin O'Neill's managerial role. \"O'Neill is the saviour of this club, not me,\" he told the News of the World. \"You don't meddle with the top guys or they won't work for you. You can't get the best if you spend all day poking them in the ribs.\" American billionaire Lerner has had his £62.6m takeover offer accepted, with shareholders recommended to accept the bid from the Cleveland Browns owner. He may still face a fight from rival consortia but Lerner is now in pole position to take the reigns at Villa Park. However, if he does take over, he has not ruled out renaming Villa's ground as part of a lucrative sponsorship deal. \"Naming rights is something we would have to look at because it could make a very positive impact on revenue,\" he said. \"I hope people are more open-minded about it now. \"If there is an extremely negative reaction, I'll have to take that into account.\"

Pair ready to battle for Phillips
Sunderland face a tug-of-war with West Brom for Kevin Phillips after Aston Villa gave both clubs permission to talk to the striker. Sunderland confirmed on their website that they have had an undisclosed bid for Phillips accepted by Villa. Boss Niall Quinn admitted his former strike partner was one of five players he has tabled bids for. Baggies' manager Bryan Robson is also keen on the 33-year-old to boost his side's goal power. With Sunderland bottom of the Championship, Quinn is keen to bring cult hero Phillips back to spark a revival at the Stadium of Light. Phillips enjoyed the most productive spell of his career at Sunderland when he partnered Black Cats' chairman and manager Quinn. In their classic little-and-large partnership, Phillips scored 130 goals in 235 appearances. He joined from Watford for £325,000 in July 1997 he helped Peter Reid's side return to the top flight and Phillips' 30 goals in his first Premiership campaign earned him selection for England. Following Sunderland's relegation Phillips joined Southampton in August 2003 for £3.25 but after Saints were relegated his desire to stay in the Premiership saw him join Villa for £1.25m.

O'Neill ready to offer Barry deal
Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill is ready to offer Gareth Barry a new deal to secure his long-term future. Villa rejected a £4.5m bid from Portsmouth for the 25-year-old this summer and O'Neill sees him as vital to his plans since he took over in August. \"He's got two years left on his contract but I'd like to keep him,\" O'Neill told the club website. \"It might be time to extend his contract. \"I'll be sitting down with him soon as he's very, very important to the club.\" Barry's future at Villa had been thrown into doubt following the departure of David O'Leary. However, O'Neill wants to build his plans around a core group of players and hopes to settle Barry's future before the transfer deadline on 31 August. The former Celtic manager also stressed his intention to keep striker Milan Baros, whose move to Hamburg fell through in July. O'Neill admitted a number of continental clubs were still interested in the 24-year-old striker but said: \"I'd like him to stay.\"

Phillips makes move to West Brom
West Brom have beaten Sunderland to the signature of striker Kevin Phillips from Aston Villa for £700,000. The two clubs were given permission to talk to the 33-year-old after having bids for the player accepted. Phillips was in the Villa squad to play Reading on Wednesday but manager Martin O'Neill has allowed him a speedy exit. \"We have signed a vastly-experienced player who has played at the top level throughout his career,\" Baggies boss Bryan Robson told his club's website. He added: \"His anticipation to get himself a chance, and the quality he has got in converting those chances, are the reasons we have brought him here.\" Black Cats boss Niall Quinn will be disappointed at being rejected by his former strike partner. With Sunderland bottom of the Championship, Quinn was keen to bring cult hero Phillips back to spark a revival at the Stadium of Light. In their classic little-and-large partnership, Phillips scored 130 goals in 235 appearances. But he has chosen to go to The Hawthorns and signed a two-year deal after passing a medical. Phillips spent only one season at Villa Park after moving from Southampton and managed just five goals in an injury-hit campaign.

Aston Villa v Reading
Aston Villa defender Mark Delaney will have a fitness check to see whether he has recovered from a virus in time. Gary Cahill (knee) and Wilfred Bouma (hamstring) are out but striker Kevin Phillips is in the squad despite being linked to Sunderland and West Brom. Reading are without striker Dave Kitson after he damaged knee ligaments in their win over Middlesbrough. Leroy Lita is set to start at Villa Park with Shane Long in line for a place on the bench. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill: \"The onus is on us as the home team to attack and we will try to do that,\" said O'Neill. \"I will have the same nervousness as I always do but I can't do anything about people's expectations. \"I just hope the Villa fans will still be on our side after 75 minutes because it means we are doing well.\" Reading manager Steve Coppell said his side should not get carried away after their Premiership debut win against Middlesbrough on Saturday: \"One good result doesn't mean a great deal. We have to prove ourselves in this level.\" Coppell paid tribute to manager Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill ahead of Wednesday's match at the Midlands club. \"Give them credit for their spirit in getting a draw at Arsenal. It's what you expect from an O'Neill team.\" Aston Villa (from): Sorensen, Hughes, Mellberg, Ridgewell, Samuel, Davis, McCann, Barry, Agbonlahor, Moore, Angel, Hendrie, Djemba-Djemba, Laursen, Taylor, Phillips, Delaney. Reading (from): Hahnemann, Stack, Murty, Sonko, Ingimarsson, Sodje, Halls, Shorey, Seol, Harper, Sidwell, Hunt, Gunnarsson, Convey, Oster, Doyle, Long, Lita, Cox.

Berson leaves Villa for Levante
French midfielder Mathieu Berson has ended an unhappy spell at Aston Villa by joining Spanish side Levante on a three-year deal. Then Villa boss David O'Leary paid £1.6m for the 26-year-old in 2004. However, the Frenchman struggled to make an impact and made only 13 appearances that season. He spent the whole of last season on loan at and looked set for a permanent move there until the French club replaced their manager.

Aston Villa 2-1 Reading
Aston Villa's encouraging start under new manager Martin O'Neill continued with a win over 10-man Reading. The visitors took an early lead after Seol Ki-Hyeon's cross was calmly headed in by Kevin Doyle, before Villa equalised with a debatable penalty. Ibrahima Sonko was adjuged to have fouled Luke Moore, which resulted in the Senegal defender's dismissal and Juan Pablo Angel's converted penalty. Villa's winner came after Gareth Barry headed in Peter Whittingham's cross. O'Neill had received a rapturous reception when he emerged from the tunnel before the start of the game and his decision to bring on Whittingham only served to further illustrate the former Celtic boss' apparent Midas touch. With practically his first kick of the game Whittingham delivered an inviting cross that Barry was able to glance past Marcus Hahnemann. Not that O'Neill did not experience some anxious moments in his first win as Villa manager as his team struggled to react to Reading's early goal. Villa had secured a creditable draw away at Arsenal on Saturday by playing on the counterattack but Doyle's strike required the home side to adopt a different tactical approach. Initially Villa appeared without the wit to unpick Reading, but Sonko's clumsy defending allowed the home side to equalise as well providing them with a crucial man advantage. To their credit even at a numerical disadvantage Reading were never outclassed by Villa, but they were unable to really stretch the home side's defence. In their opening Premiership match on Reading had conceded two early goals, but Steve Coppell's side did not make the same mistake on Wednesday as they took a fourth-minute lead. Seol jinked past Moore before flighting the ball to the far post, a cross that was expertly headed in by the unmarked Doyle. The South Korean midfielder - powerful and strong on the ball - had an impressive game for Reading and early in the second half he tested Sorensen with an accurate shot Having taken an early lead it was Reading that continued to look the more likely side to score, notably when Steve Sidwell flashed a shot past the post. Before Angel scored his penalty the Colombian had had the ball in the net, but he was ruled offside. Moore also had a goal disallowed, again the result of Angel straying into an offside posiiton. Angel's decision making proved shrewder from the penalty spot after referee Lee Mason ruled Sonko had denied Moore a goalscoring opportunity and the Colombian sent Hahnemann the wrong way. Sonko's sending-off prompted a tactical switch as Coppell withdrew striker Leroy Lita, replacing him with Brynjar Gunnarsson. Moore continued to trouble the Reading defence and although he was unable to add a third goal the visitors were never able to get enough men forward to threaten the Villa goal. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill: \"We're delighted with the points but we know we've a lot of work to do. \"I've got to do a lot of work for the crowd to stay with us as they've seen a few false dawns in the past. \"Psychologically the sending off gave us a big, big lift. I'm delighted with the three points.\" Reading manager Steve Coppell: \"It was an awkard slip - a tangle of legs - but Ibrahima Sonko wasn't looking at the Aston Villa player. \"It's not our way. Last year we didn't have a player sent off but you knew it was going to happen. \"It was a massive turning point, but I'm pleased with out contribution to the game and didn't go into our shell.\" -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Aston Villa: Sorensen, Hughes, Mellberg, Ridgewell, Samuel (Whittingham 59), Moore, Davis, McCann, Barry, Agbonlahor, Angel. Subs Not Used: Taylor, Laursen, Hendrie, Djemba-Djemba. Booked: McCann, Samuel. Goals: Angel 34 pen, Barry 61. Reading: Hahnemann, Murty, Sonko, Ingimarsson, Shorey, Ki-Hyeon, Harper, Sidwell, Convey (Hunt 65), Doyle (Long 81), Lita (Gunnarsson 36). Subs Not Used: Stack, Oster. Sent Off: Sonko (33). Booked: Ingimarsson. Goals: Doyle 4. Att: 37,329. Ref: L Mason (Lancashire).

View Full Version: Aston Villa