Tony Xia interview in The Guardian

[not3bad]

I like the cut of his gib. I hope he does move to Birmingham and communicates well with the fans.

Hopefully he does not have a "General Zang" in tow, or someone like that.

[Ads]

"At least from my experience, if you keep working hard you still have a chance … I think attitude is more important than talent. So that is one of the basic principles for me to give advice to the [new] coach to choose players to revamp the team.”

I like this. Attitude and hard work is the key.

I like it. You look at the likes of Atletico Madrid, who are by no means cloggers, but through extreme hard work and organisation, compete with two or the biggest clubs on the planet. Leicester won the league because they were willing ti work harder than any body else.

Effort costs nothing.

[Percy McCarthy]

Top 6 in five years sounds sensible.

Then he blew it.

The past 6 years certainly. And the 200 Cup final while we're at it.

Fucking hell, our past is longer than I thought! How did we get on?

[not3bad]

Top 6 in five years sounds sensible.

Then he blew it.

The past 6 years certainly. And the 200 Cup final while we're at it.

Fucking hell, our past is longer than I thought! How did we get on?

It was a bit of a massacre. Of course they set lions on you in those days.

[AVH87]

"At least from my experience, if you keep working hard you still have a chance … I think attitude is more important than talent. So that is one of the basic principles for me to give advice to the [new] coach to choose players to revamp the team.”

I like this. Attitude and hard work is the key.

He's bang on. We had no chance of competing properly in the Premier League once Randy stopped working hard and effectively gave up. He clearly hasn't come in to own a Championship side, he wants us up straight away, so we'll outspend everyone in the league and should be difficult to compete with for everyone except maybe Newcastle.

[Stirchley Villain]

Top 6 in five years sounds sensible.

Then he blew it.

The past 6 years certainly. And the 200 Cup final while we're at it.

Fucking hell, our past is longer than I thought! How did we get on?

It was a bit of a massacre. Of course they set lions on you in those days.

Animal skins for goal posts.

[berneboy]

I like the sound of Dr Tony. Of course words are easy and we'll have to wait and see but he is obviously no mug.

I like him and anyway he's ours now so welcome Doc.

[PaulWinch again]

I like that interview it's quite encouraging. He sounds pretty sensible.

[Ad@m]

“My ambition is to bring Villa to the top six in less than five years

Not another 5 year plan...

Asked about his first match at Villa Park, the entrepreneur said: “You know the feeling there. It’s not like excitement, it is like a shock when you are in that environment.”

Sounds like he's had a season ticket for the last 5 years - no excitement, just shock!

[Eckybloke]

So how will FFP (or whatever guise it is in now) affect us in the next year?

[damon loves JT]

I am prepared to say that I like him.

[frankmosswasmyuncle]

The words may seem a little obvious and predictable but he's doing this for the first (and only?) time, so I am pretty sure he means everything he says.
Already having specific goals, an apparent basic understanding that the Championship is a tough league, that the fans are key and that he believes it is important to live close to the club - particularly in the first year - are all very sound, positive, practical ideas.

I'm happy with that.

[frankmosswasmyuncle]

So how will FFP (or whatever guise it is in now) affect us in the next year?

Thought it had been pretty much ditched.
The "big" clubs don't like it, largely ignore it, so the powers that be don't bother enforcing it much anymore.

(I have no real evidence for this except a general feeling gleaned from the press and my home-made cynicismometer!)

[avfcpg]

Said the right things, ambitious, transfer kitty, fans...sounds promising.

[kippaxvilla2]

He's only a millionaire though.