I might have had a smidgeon of respect for that statement if it contained some passing reference to his own culpability for allowing so much of his money to be pissed up in the air. Those responsible for failure are his employees after all.
The hole in the bottom of our boat is McCormack-Hogan shaped.
Chinese domination is slowly slowly catch a monkey.
Agreeing with you to some extent he relied on the experience of others when those players were bought, the money that managers have wasted at Villa in the past few years is mind blowing, Whether Bruce is a nice bloke or not is not the point he plays negative football and has wasted the chance given to him. The point I was making is most owners are not football people.
Just when the club needs a massive dose of positivity to get everyone rallying to the cause, the good doctor drops a massive shit bomb of misery.
Thanks Tone.
Just when the club needs a massive dose of positivity to get everyone rallying to the cause, the good doctor drops a massive shit bomb of misery.Oh well at least we've got the new kit to look forward to .....hopefully it's the right claret and blue :)
Thanks Tone.
Have to love modern football don't you? whilst we fret and scrap around FFP watch as the Sky 4 or "Big 6" in the Prem spend hundreds of millions to move up a maximum of two places in the league.
I might have had a smidgeon of respect for that statement if it contained some passing reference to his own culpability for allowing so much of his money to be pissed up in the air. Those responsible for failure are his employees after all.
The hole in the bottom of our boat is McCormack-Hogan shaped.
One way or another we just need to get on with things now.
Kinda reads like Bruce staying to me, but we'll see.
One way or another we just need to get on with things now.
Right: what should we get for Jack, folks? :'(
Give us another clue.
One way or another we just need to get on with things now.
Right: what should we get for Jack, folks? :'(
You do realise that out of three clubs in the city only one has failed FFP? And in case you’re too thick to realise it it begins with Small and ends in Heath.
That reads like a prelude to the manager’s departure.
What should the statement have said?
What should the statement have said?
What should the statement have said?
'Boot. Face. Forever.'
What should the statement have said?It should have said “ Obviously not getting promoted wasn’t what we wanted, however we planned for both eventualities and will move forward with no fire sales and a great group of youngsters waiting in the wings to be integrated with our senior pros . We will make a formidable challenge next season”
What should the statement have said?
What should the statement have said?It should have said “ Obviously not getting promoted wasn’t what we wanted, however we planned for both eventualities and will move forward with no fire sales and a great group of youngsters waiting in the wings to be integrated with our senior pros . We will make a formidable challenge next season”
How does that sound ?
What should the statement have said?It should have said “ Obviously not getting promoted wasn’t what we wanted, however we planned for both eventualities and will move forward with no fire sales and a great group of youngsters waiting in the wings to be integrated with our senior pros . We will make a formidable challenge next season”
How does that sound ?
What should the statement have said?
What should the statement have said?
What should the statement have said?
What should the statement have said?
We will ride to the summit on a road of bones.
What should the statement have said?
'FFP? FFS!'
What should the statement have said?It should have said “ Obviously not getting promoted wasn’t what we wanted, however we planned for both eventualities and will move forward with no fire sales and a great group of youngsters waiting in the wings to be integrated with our senior pros . We will make a formidable challenge next season”
How does that sound ?
Sounds like you're addressing insecurities that are personal to you. Who says there's going to be a fire sale?
He's made a statement. Says he's gutted. Says we're going to be smothered by FFP, but this isn't a surprise. Thanks Bruce. And then again.
This isn't an A-Level English exam. There's no marks for identifying symbolism. If there's anything to read between the lines it's that Bruce and his time is up.
What should the statement have said?
What should the statement have said?It should have said “ Obviously not getting promoted wasn’t what we wanted, however we planned for both eventualities and will move forward with no fire sales and a great group of youngsters waiting in the wings to be integrated with our senior pros . We will make a formidable challenge next season”
How does that sound ?
Sounds like you're addressing insecurities that are personal to you. Who says there's going to be a fire sale?
He's made a statement. Says he's gutted. Says we're going to be smothered by FFP, but this isn't a surprise. Thanks Bruce. And then again.
This isn't an A-Level English exam. There's no marks for identifying symbolism. If there's anything to read between the lines it's that Bruce and his time is up.
We are all aware that we will face severe FFP challenges next season. I am an Aston Villa fan. But I am also a businessman. Under the current circumstances, I think the club needs to rethink not only the past two years but also the past ten years. Villa needs to be a sustainable football club. People join. People leave. That is the cycle of football.
Wynness should be the first name out. He oversaw the reckless gamble last season when we tried to buy promotion and failed miserably.
This all smacks a bit of damned if he does...
What should the statement have said?It should have said “ Obviously not getting promoted wasn’t what we wanted, however we planned for both eventualities and will move forward with no fire sales and a great group of youngsters waiting in the wings to be integrated with our senior pros . We will make a formidable challenge next season”
How does that sound ?
Sounds like you're addressing insecurities that are personal to you. Who says there's going to be a fire sale?
He's made a statement. Says he's gutted. Says we're going to be smothered by FFP, but this isn't a surprise. Thanks Bruce. And then again.
This isn't an A-Level English exam. There's no marks for identifying symbolism. If there's anything to read between the lines it's that Bruce and his time is up.
Yes, and he also says:QuoteWe are all aware that we will face severe FFP challenges next season. I am an Aston Villa fan. But I am also a businessman. Under the current circumstances, I think the club needs to rethink not only the past two years but also the past ten years. Villa needs to be a sustainable football club. People join. People leave. That is the cycle of football.
There's no A Level English symbolism exercise there, it is there in black and white.
I'd have preferred him to say nothing, to be honest. At least leave us with some sort of sign of positivity, of hope, but it reads to me like a 'tighten your belts, lean times ahead' message and there is absolutely nothing there which suggests 'I'd love to invest more, but I'm stopped by FFP'
This all smacks a bit of damned if he does...
Is the correct answer.
Yes. We're not permitted to horse cash at it, so we try something new. Hardly ground breaking is it? There will be change, but then there always is.Who will buy the £35k a week players from us? Angela will be here till his contract runs out.
That to me means we are saying ta'ta to a fat squad whereby 35k a week players who don't make the 18 will be gone the sort of out a businessman can get behind.
Whatever happens the squad will be weakened this summer. I just can't see it having the quality or depth to sustain a promotion challenge. Mid table at best.
I drafted dozens of statements like this when I worked in corporate marketing. They were all issued reluctantly by Chairmen/Managing Directors etc and were designed to say something without actually saying anything specific ( which would , in the main, have been better). Invariably this resulted in further media speculation which created even more uncertainty and further rounds of corporate speak until the real truth manifested itself. I read the Dr's words as being akin to a worldwide plea for Villa fans to rummage around the backs of their sofas to donate any money found there. We're skint, and will be taking every fiscal measure available to stop bleeding money. Once all the marketable assets have been sold, we might be able to plug a few gaps with frees and loans.So we are now Ipswich Town but with the added burden of a huge stadium and associated infra-structure. If Dean Smith wants to take that situation on, I for one will applaud him.
Whatever happens the squad will be weakened this summer. I just can't see it having the quality or depth to sustain a promotion challenge. Mid table at best.The squad may be weakened …
That reads like a prelude to the manager’s departure.
but effectively we are skint aren't we?. We have to make savings of £40m and we can't spend on new players.
we've not really improved the playing squad over the last two seasons,
yes we went close using old established and loan players but it was all very short term and we have built nothing for the future
the loan players have returned and we are left with the shell which contains not a lot of anything to get excited about outside Grealish and Chester who both might leave anyway
the Lerner regime of Lambert/Fox was a disaster and we followed it up with the Xia regime of Bruce/Wyness which is no better
All the money has been spent, the decent loan players gone home and we are back to square one, in a worse place now than when we first dropped
we have a unenviable record of continually choosing rubbish managers who spend the money on overpriced over rated plodders and then we just do it all over again and again, we never learn
the silver lining is that the Championship is a league of poor quality football and any manager who has a clue about building a team to play football on the front foot and a clear definitive system rather than attrition and hoof ball could easily get the team into the promotion/playoff spots without spending millions
when Bruce goes either now or next year it will be a case of rebuilding again,
starting from scratch again,
it can't start until he goes whenever that happens, but then it will be time to hope again
hope for younger players busting their asses, hope for a more attacking approach to the game,
and most importantly of all hope that the a new manager can actually build something that remains solid with quality rather than something built on the short term sand
Steer
Bree
Chester
Elphick
Taylor
Jedinak
Green
Grealish
Hourihane
Albert
Kodjia
Is probably the best side we can put out now. Left hand side of defence is not as I would like, but that's a side easily capable of top 6, so I do not agree we've been left with nothing or starting from scratch. I think there's a great deal of anxiety exaggerating the situation into the chaos of not knowing for sure quite what will happen this summer.
Steer
Bree
Chester
Elphick
Taylor
Jedinak
Green
Grealish
Hourihane
Albert
Kodjia
Is probably the best side we can put out now. Left hand side of defence is not as I would like, but that's a side easily capable of top 6, so I do not agree we've been left with nothing or starting from scratch. I think there's a great deal of anxiety exaggerating the situation into the chaos of not knowing for sure quite what will happen this summer.
if we start the season with Grealish and Chester it will be a right result
Plus there will be a few changes in playing staff depending on the managerial situation
it's not all doom and gloom in my view but we do need to start from scratch with a whole new playing philosophy, that's what I'm hoping for anyway
QuoteWe are all aware that we will face severe FFP challenges next season. I am an Aston Villa fan. But I am also a businessman. Under the current circumstances, I think the club needs to rethink not only the past two years but also the past ten years. Villa needs to be a sustainable football club. People join. People leave. That is the cycle of football.
There's no A Level English symbolism exercise there, it is there in black and white.
I'd have preferred him to say nothing, to be honest. At least leave us with some sort of sign of positivity, of hope, but it reads to me like a 'tighten your belts, lean times ahead' message and there is absolutely nothing there which suggests 'I'd love to invest more, but I'm stopped by FFP'
Well said john e. Let's grow organically. We tried the fast fix method and we have failed miserably. Let's start with a decent coach and if this rebuilding means we are in this division for a little while than so be it. There is no need to slash our wrists...............................just now :)
hope for younger players busting their asses, hope for a more attacking approach to the game,
and most importantly of all hope that the a new manager can actually build something that remains solid with quality rather than something built on the short term sand
According to Talk Shite's 'experts' this morning, we're going to do a Sunderland.
According to Talk Shite's 'experts' this morning, we're going to do a Sunderland.
Steer
Bree
Chester
Elphick
Taylor
Jedinak
Green
Grealish
Hourihane
Albert
Kodjia
Is probably the best side we can put out now. Left hand side of defence is not as I would like, but that's a side easily capable of top 6, so I do not agree we've been left with nothing or starting from scratch. I think there's a great deal of anxiety exaggerating the situation into the chaos of not knowing for sure quite what will happen this summer.
I said that's the best possible team we can put out there now. People are chucking figures around and you've mentioned £40-50m, I have not seen that anywhere else.
The two I have seen are £39 million if everything hypothetically stayed the same, and we all know many things already have or imminently will and £20 million being closer to it from Chelts.
We already are selling players and Gollini is off, Elphick is off, it seems De Laet is off and I would expect Lansbury and Thor to follow suit too. I feel positive because I think everything is an opportunity to succeed.
Steer
Bree
Chester
Elphick
Taylor
Jedinak
Green
Grealish
Hourihane
Albert
Kodjia
Is probably the best side we can put out now. Left hand side of defence is not as I would like, but that's a side easily capable of top 6, so I do not agree we've been left with nothing or starting from scratch. I think there's a great deal of anxiety exaggerating the situation into the chaos of not knowing for sure quite what will happen this summer.
I get that you're trying to be positive but there's no way we'll start the season with that team.
All that's gone from that team are the loanees aren't they? That will gain us £10m of the £40-£50m we need to find. So we're going to have to sell some players to bridge the gap or run the risk that even if we win the league the EFL might dock us enough points to stop us going up.
I've not seen that, if you're referring to the 7500 Steps to the Holte Blog on the matter from earlier in the year. Swiss Ramble definitely stated £39 million if nothing changed, which it now has to the tune of £12 million one way and commercial revenue the other way.
Steer
Bree
Chester
Elphick
Taylor
Jedinak
Green
Grealish
Hourihane
Albert
Kodjia
Is probably the best side we can put out now. Left hand side of defence is not as I would like, but that's a side easily capable of top 6, so I do not agree we've been left with nothing or starting from scratch. I think there's a great deal of anxiety exaggerating the situation into the chaos of not knowing for sure quite what will happen this summer.
The other day the Birmingham Mail did a wonderfully dramatic story likening us to Coventry '83 or Hull a couple of years back and practically making out there would be a mass exodus and we would struggle to put eleven players out onto the pitch next season. What I got from Dr T's statement was that Bruce would be staying on and we would be giving it our best shot again whilst accepting that the financial picture has changed for us after two seasons out of the top flight. It is also worth remembering that Bruce is right up their with the best when it comes to utilising the loan market. I don't expect Swansea, Stoke or Albion to run away with the league next season. Nor do I expect any of the rest of last season's top ten (Boro, Derby, Preston, Millwall, Brentford and Sheff U) to suddenly become world beaters.
Being behind the 8 ball from game 3 makes it hard.
Agree re the start. Top 6 after the 5th game and you have momentum. Playing catch up is tough.
We need a lot more pace through the side.
SteerSarkic over Steer any day for me , there’s one squad improvement that’s cost nothing.
Bree
Chester
Elphick
Taylor
Jedinak
Green
Grealish
Hourihane
Albert
Kodjia
Is probably the best side we can put out now. Left hand side of defence is not as I would like, but that's a side easily capable of top 6, so I do not agree we've been left with nothing or starting from scratch. I think there's a great deal of anxiety exaggerating the situation into the chaos of not knowing for sure quite what will happen this summer.
Weren’t Fulham 17th towards Christmas? This league being as long as it is means you can have a decent run from Christmas onwards and still go up.The Fulham run wasn’t decent it was phenomenal and they still failed to make auto.
Does the £39M figure change if we don’t go up next season?I've not seen that, if you're referring to the 7500 Steps to the Holte Blog on the matter from earlier in the year. Swiss Ramble definitely stated £39 million if nothing changed, which it now has to the tune of £12 million one way and commercial revenue the other way.
£39m is the amount we can lose over a 3 year period. The big question is how much money we need to save this coming season to stay within that £39m figure.
He ain't going to get that for it in the championship.
Tony is apparently ready to listen to offers for us now of £100m.
https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/tony-xia-aston-villa-ffp-14717203
Make sure there are no sharp objects around while you read this.
https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/tony-xia-aston-villa-ffp-14717203
Make sure there are no sharp objects around while you read this.
He ain't going to get that for it in the championship.
No surprise in this at all, he came, he spent, he gambled, he lost.
Seems like it's a print what the fuck you like season at the moment.
sending the loan players back and selling Amavi, Gollini, Elphick, De Laet etc should at least make a reasonable start on its amelioration
http://m.chinaso.com/news_article_v3.html?app=pc&nid=http://hn.chinaso.com/finance/detail/20180524/1000200032826601527130533919882031_1.htmlThe good news keeps rolling. Maybe FFP is a convenient excuse and we actually don’t have a pot to piss in
This seems to suggest Tony isn't in great shape.
It’s all clear now
Let's all get used to the fact that Dr tone hasn't got a pot to piss in . This club was bought for peanuts ffs even blues cost more .
Let's all get used to the fact that Dr tone hasn't got a pot to piss in . This club was bought for peanuts ffs even blues cost more .
You can lose an average of £13m a year in this division, so it's always £39m over a 3 year period for us now until we either leave this division or there's a rule changes. However that's only if the owner injects £8m cash into the club each year. If he doesn't then it's a £5m a year loss, so then we could only lose £15m over 3 years.
and you have know idea he has got the dough have you !!!!Let's all get used to the fact that Dr tone hasn't got a pot to piss in . This club was bought for peanuts ffs even blues cost more .
And you know that how exactly? We are bound by a stupid rule tying spending to revenues, so you have no idea if can or cannot spend beyond that.
Let's all get used to the fact that Dr tone hasn't got a pot to piss in . This club was bought for peanuts ffs even blues cost more .
You can lose an average of £13m a year in this division, so it's always £39m over a 3 year period for us now until we either leave this division or there's a rule changes. However that's only if the owner injects £8m cash into the club each year. If he doesn't then it's a £5m a year loss, so then we could only lose £15m over 3 years.
The trouble is that accounting years don't match up to football seasons. The first accounts we posted while in this division in 16/17 surely included our last year in the prem and the prem-level wages. As we were not subject to FFP in that time our losses in terms of FFP should not have been the same as the loss in our accounts, right?
In fact, the 14M loss we posted in Feb 2018 was to y/e 31st March 2017. Meaning the one we posted the year before was for prem season only. So while under FFP we have only reported one loss of 14M. Is the speculation that our second lot of accounts under FFP, to y/e 31st March 2019, will be a lot worse? If not, what's the problem?
Let's all get used to the fact that Dr tone hasn't got a pot to piss in . This club was bought for peanuts ffs even blues cost more .
Aaaaaaaaarrrrrggghhhhhhhh
FFP is restricting investment, it doesn’t make us ‘skint’. Xia bought the club for £57m (paid in cash), cleared £17m debt (in cash) and injected £49m cash into the club.
Xia stated none of the parachute money had been used for transfers.
Xia stated none of the parachute money had been used for transfers.
Where is the parachute money then? It must have been used
Where is the parachute money then?It's still floating about in the clouds not weighty enough to make the parachute land.
Xia stated none of the parachute money had been used for transfers.
Where is the parachute money then? It must have been used
I believe the point of them is largely to cover the wages of PL contracts.
I don't think Dr. Xia has put much money in at all. Transfers have been funded mainly by Parachute payments. Now that is diminishing so is the owners interest. I just don't think he has the funds required. Hiding behind FFP. Time to sell up. He screwed it up with the appointment of RDM and wasted millions on mainly average players - Kodjia excepted.
I don't think Dr. Xia has put much money in at all. Transfers have been funded mainly by Parachute payments. Now that is diminishing so is the owners interest. I just don't think he has the funds required. Hiding behind FFP. Time to sell up. He screwed it up with the appointment of RDM and wasted millions on mainly average players - Kodjia excepted.
His company put £49m in according to the last accounts.
https://twitter.com/SwissRamble/status/1001380858983534593
Interesting read.
I don't think Dr. Xia has put much money in at all. Transfers have been funded mainly by Parachute payments. Now that is diminishing so is the owners interest. I just don't think he has the funds required. Hiding behind FFP. Time to sell up. He screwed it up with the appointment of RDM and wasted millions on mainly average players - Kodjia excepted.
His company put £49m in according to the last accounts.
https://twitter.com/SwissRamble/status/1001380858983534593
Interesting read.
I proper fancy him.
https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/6441572/consortium-set-to-launch-aston-villa-takeover-with-dr-tony-xia-ready-to-sell-after-failing-to-get-promotion/
Know it’s this rag but they are running with this
https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/6441572/consortium-set-to-launch-aston-villa-takeover-with-dr-tony-xia-ready-to-sell-after-failing-to-get-promotion/
Know it’s this rag but they are running with this
What do we say about linking to the Sun?
It took Lerner forever to find a buyer, and that's when we were still PL. Even if the interest is real I can't see them succeeding, particularly when we have additional debt to absorb.
If he wants to sell, that's a pretty flaky type of buyer we attract.
All that 'OMG WE R GOING TO BUILD A SMART CITY IN ASTON11!!?1" and hinting we are getting a new North stand of exceptional beauty to "oh noes we didn't get promoted, I can't afford this, we've got to sell all the players, I'm off".
It's like that utter fucking chancer Lerner with his "we will be here thick or thin" which led to him bolting at the first sign of trouble but not before having utterly enfeebled the club.
What an absolute mess.
Although this has been published in the rag, Simon Jordan hinted there are big things bubbling away behind the scenes concerning us that he could not talk about.
Over the past 6 months he has been immensely complimentary about us and has also been absolutely hammering BCFC in the public eye. I have been wondering why he had such beef with them, maybe it has a PR element about it.
Although this has been published in the rag, Simon Jordan hinted there are big things bubbling away behind the scenes concerning us that he could not talk about.
Although this has been published in the rag, Simon Jordan hinted there are big things bubbling away behind the scenes concerning us that he could not talk about.
But how the hell would that fruitcake know anything about what's going on at Villa ?
Usually you would dismiss all this as rubbish, but Tony has been very quick on social media to put people straight. His silence on this speaks volumes.Well he's back in Beijing, presumably behind the big Chinese firewall. And as it's in The Sun, I still think it's horseshit.
Although this has been published in the rag, Simon Jordan hinted there are big things bubbling away behind the scenes concerning us that he could not talk about.
But how the hell would that fruitcake know anything about what's going on at Villa ?
Tony Xia wants to breathe fresh life into Aston Villa and will only consider selling up as a last resort, BirminghamLive understands.
The vultures are circulating around Villa following the play-off final defeat to Fulham and potential investors believe they could purchase the club for a cut-price fee.
As many as FOUR different groups are interested in the Championship outfit, sources have told us, but Villa have received no offers at this stage.
There has also been no contact from the British-based consortium linked with a takeover bid in The Sun last night.
Meanwhile, back in China, Xia is exploring options to fund the 2018/19 campaign and help make Villa a success.
But with a limit on capital outflow, moving money out of his homeland has become increasingly difficult in recent times.
It’s one of the reasons why Villa have had to cut back in recent transfer windows.
Financial Fair Play is also another major problem. Last week we reported that Villa need to find £40million to fall in line with the regulations and it’s becoming apparent that a sale of Jack Grealish is inevitable.
The situation around Villa’s star man is sensitive.
He’s hurting as much as any fan right now after failing to win promotion back to the Premier League and faces a gut-wrenching decision about moving on.
Unusually, though, a departure might actually be the best thing for the club going forward.
Okay, so they lose their prized asset and the one die-hard fan remaining in the team.
But a transfer fee of around £30million would go some way to filling the black hole left by previous years of over-spending and the reduced parachute payments.
Villa have let John Terry and Gabby Agbonlahor go this summer and will not be able to sign any of the five loan players they had last season on permanent deals.
Xia warned of changes ahead in a carefully-worded statement last week and has since kept quiet as supporters bombard his Twitter page with questions about the future.
The Villa owner has invested around £150million in the club already following the takeover in 2016.
He considered buying other clubs in England before changing hands with Randy Lerner following relegation from the top-flight.
But it was that ‘love at first sight’ feeling that convinced him to purchase the claret and blues.
He still remains committed to Villa and wants to get the club back on the right track.
Reality has kicked in somewhat, though, following the Wembley defeat and another campaign in the Championship ahead.
That’s why potential new owners are monitoring the situation at Villa - and putting the feelers out to see whether Xia would sell.
It’s understood that selling would be an option, but only if he was able to get the money back that he paid for Villa two years ago.
For that to happen, though, Villa would need to receive a bid of around £80million and so far that hasn't been forthcoming.
Even if it was, there’s no guarantees that he would part ways after just two seasons, either.
A difficult summer lies ahead but Xia is committed to getting Villa prepared for the season ahead.
Losing Grealish - and maybe other top players - will kickstart the rebuild and then Villa can focus on what’s next.
If they’d said something meaningful in the 8 days since Wembley those type of articles would have 0% credence - the radio silence makes you wonder if there is something in it, the source makes you believe there isn’t....so yes, the club needs leadership, it pays leaders very good salaries to lead so they need to manage the message.
So first The Sun, now the Mail saying the opposite. You all realise this is all an exercise in sports journalists filling the requisite column inches in their respective rags, yeah?
So first The Sun, now the Mail saying the opposite. You all realise this is all an exercise in sports journalists filling the requisite column inches in their respective rags, yeah?
So first The Sun, now the Mail saying the opposite. You all realise this is all an exercise in sports journalists filling the requisite column inches in their respective rags, yeah?
But there has been word. There's been a statement.
Any statement made by the Dr means we are skint/being sold/ selling all our best players. lack of a dailly statement by the Dr means we are skint/being sold selling all our best players.Might be the case .But I demand to know how skint we are,who are we selling to and what players are being sold...now.
I wonder if every set of supporters are so anxious to hear something all the time and if not, whether this all stems from the old board's early days when they seemed to have an open line to everybody with an internet connection.
I wonder if every set of supporters are so anxious to hear something all the time and if not, whether this all stems from the old board's early days when they seemed to have an open line to everybody with an internet connection.
It might have create some heightened expectations regarding communication and in turn be driving behaviour for some. Truth is it probably happens to some degree (less or more) at every club, and there is no way it will please everyone. The board says nothing cue skepticism and cynicism from some. The board says something it will prompt the same. The majority don't jump up and down, are concerned but don't hang off every word, and don't read all between the lines trying to find a hidden meaning or something that just isn't there.
I wonder if every set of supporters are so anxious to hear something all the time and if not, whether this all stems from the old board's early days when they seemed to have an open line to everybody with an internet connection.
What I said, ATAL.So first The Sun, now the Mail saying the opposite. You all realise this is all an exercise in sports journalists filling the requisite column inches in their respective rags, yeah?
"Journalists" Chris!
I wonder if every set of supporters are so anxious to hear something all the time and if not, whether this all stems from the old board's early days when they seemed to have an open line to everybody with an internet connection.I think the last 3 years of Lerner has left deep scars and probably engendered a higher level of paranoia.
I wonder if every set of supporters are so anxious to hear something all the time and if not, whether this all stems from the old board's early days when they seemed to have an open line to everybody with an internet connection.I think the last 3 years of Lerner has left deep scars and probably engendered a higher level of paranoia.
Other than Sunderland Has another high profile club recently traumatized its supporters as much as Villa have?
Add the internet era which this site is part of.
It’s some time since they were in the top flight but I get what you are saying.I wonder if every set of supporters are so anxious to hear something all the time and if not, whether this all stems from the old board's early days when they seemed to have an open line to everybody with an internet connection.I think the last 3 years of Lerner has left deep scars and probably engendered a higher level of paranoia.
Other than Sunderland Has another high profile club recently traumatized its supporters as much as Villa have?
Add the internet era which this site is part of.
Leeds, Leeds, Leeds.
I wonder if every set of supporters are so anxious to hear something all the time and if not, whether this all stems from the old board's early days when they seemed to have an open line to everybody with an internet connection.
It might have create some heightened expectations regarding communication and in turn be driving behaviour for some. Truth is it probably happens to some degree (less or more) at every club, and there is no way it will please everyone. The board says nothing cue skepticism and cynicism from some. The board says something it will prompt the same. The majority don't jump up and down, are concerned but don't hang off every word, and don't read all between the lines trying to find a hidden meaning or something that just isn't there.
I suppose a lot of it is also down to the modern need for information to fill every gap in the internet, and to get it NOW. One story has to be credible and can be refuted. A hundred will be 99% rubbish and not worth dignifying with a reply.
For what it’s worth the friendly Meaning Evil are now saying that the British consortium mentioned is bollocks, that Tony will only ever sell as a last resort and is now in China trying to think of ways of reenergising us.
For what it’s worth the friendly Meaning Evil are now saying that the British consortium mentioned is bollocks, that Tony will only ever sell as a last resort and is now in China trying to think of ways of reenergising us.
I can think of a couple of ways.
Interesting little line in that article that hasn't really been picked up on here. Apparently China are stopping/limiting some of their residents moving capital out to foreign ventures so guess this is an additional problem we have on top of FFP now.
Interesting little line in that article that hasn't really been picked up on here. Apparently China are stopping/limiting some of their residents moving capital out to foreign ventures so guess this is an additional problem we have on top of FFP now.
Depends what for. Infrastructure isn't an issue (redeveloping the local area). Pissing it away on John Terry's wages, not so much.
Plus £2m in wages at least
If they’d said something meaningful in the 8 days since Wembley those type of articles would have 0% credence - the radio silence makes you wonder if there is something in it, the source makes you believe there isn’t....so yes, the club needs leadership, it pays leaders very good salaries to lead so they need to manage the message.
Out of interest, what do you mean by 'radio silence'?
If they’d said something meaningful in the 8 days since Wembley those type of articles would have 0% credence - the radio silence makes you wonder if there is something in it, the source makes you believe there isn’t....so yes, the club needs leadership, it pays leaders very good salaries to lead so they need to manage the message.
Out of interest, what do you mean by 'radio silence'?
I don’t regard Dr T’s statement as anything of substance because it said nothing so for me radio silence is not trying to control the speculation, zero word from chief exec who is paid to lead.
If they’d said something meaningful in the 8 days since Wembley those type of articles would have 0% credence - the radio silence makes you wonder if there is something in it, the source makes you believe there isn’t....so yes, the club needs leadership, it pays leaders very good salaries to lead so they need to manage the message.
Out of interest, what do you mean by 'radio silence'?
I don’t regard Dr T’s statement as anything of substance because it said nothing so for me radio silence is not trying to control the speculation, zero word from chief exec who is paid to lead.
That's a bit like the times when a question was asked and Doug/Mark Ansell, then Faulkner/Krulak/Fox gave the wrong answer so "They don't answer our questions". There's been one risible story about a takeover that was denied and nothing else has happened to comment on.
And why do they need to clarify Bruce's position?
He's our manager until advised otherwise.
And why do they need to clarify Bruce's position?
He's our manager until advised otherwise.
isn’t that the case for every manager ever at every club for all times
Does anyone know if FFP also controls investment in infrastructure? Because if it doesn't I think now would be the time to show us fans and the rest of the world that Aston Villa far from being a fading has been of a club is still intent on being a major force in football. Show us the plans for the stadium. We need SOMETHING to get excited about. Show us you mean business Tony & Recon. Tell the fans they need to back the club now more than ever and get the ball rolling.
If they’d said something meaningful in the 8 days since Wembley those type of articles would have 0% credence - the radio silence makes you wonder if there is something in it, the source makes you believe there isn’t....so yes, the club needs leadership, it pays leaders very good salaries to lead so they need to manage the message.
Out of interest, what do you mean by 'radio silence'?
I don’t regard Dr T’s statement as anything of substance because it said nothing so for me radio silence is not trying to control the speculation, zero word from chief exec who is paid to lead.
That's a bit like the times when a question was asked and Doug/Mark Ansell, then Faulkner/Krulak/Fox gave the wrong answer so "They don't answer our questions". There's been one risible story about a takeover that was denied and nothing else has happened to comment on.
That is true :-)
I guess what I hoped to see was the club come out on the front foot, clarify Bruce’s position either way quickly, address FFP & reassure that it wouldn’t be a fire sale of the couple of players who have enjoyed watching this season.
In hindsight maybe a touch unrealistic :-)
Because we need something to get excited about and the fans want to see it.
Does anyone know if FFP also controls investment in infrastructure? Because if it doesn't I think now would be the time to show us fans and the rest of the world that Aston Villa far from being a fading has been of a club is still intent on being a major force in football. Show us the plans for the stadium. We need SOMETHING to get excited about. Show us you mean business Tony & Recon. Tell the fans they need to back the club now more than ever and get the ball rolling.No FFP does not control investment on infrastructure.
I merely mentioned it because the Club and fans are in need of a good news story right now. Obviously in the light of the Wyness revelations the club have more pressing problems but this does highlight my point. Were in desperate need of some positive news.Because we need something to get excited about and the fans want to see it.
I don't know anyone that's aching to see it. I haven't even given it a second thought myself. It's just a stand. Seeing some elaborate plans for something we probably wont see for another five years at least wont give me a spring in the step i'm sure. Give the North Stand a jet wash by all means though.
As a supporter, i already know i need to be behind the club more than ever right now, and i'm just counting down the days til kick off so I can get back down Villa Park and get behind whatever side is on the pitch come August.
No drawings of new stands and dreams of increased capacity that we'll never need will make any difference in all honesty.
And why do they need to clarify Bruce's position?
He's our manager until advised otherwise.
isn’t that the case for every manager ever at every club for all times
What makes you say that?
What makes you say that?
Let's call it a wild stab in the dark!
What makes you say that?
Let's call it a wild stab in the dark!
I had one of those once, she was fit.
A club with a billionaire owner (supposedly) facing a winding up order! You couldn't make it up!
What makes you say that?
Let's call it a wild stab in the dark!
I had one of those once, she was fit.
What makes you say that?
Let's call it a wild stab in the dark!
I had one of those once, she was fit.
How do you know she was fit, if it was dark?
What makes you say that?
Let's call it a wild stab in the dark!
I had one of those once, she was fit.
How do you know she was fit, if it was dark?
Could have been Brian May.
And I thought Lerner, Faulkner and company were incompetent!
Tony Xia, come on down.Let's hope the guy is not Hong Kong Phoney - look how we mocked Small Heath and their hairdresser owner
We are fucked aren't we!
And where are you finding that?We are fucked aren't we!
No, I have offered 50p for the stadium naming rights next year
We are fucked aren't we!No. Being f*cked generally involves at least a brief moment of pleasure.
And where are you finding that?We are fucked aren't we!
No, I have offered 50p for the stadium naming rights next year
Hearing from several sources now that Aston Villa's financial difficulties are serious. This could very well lead to administration unless a buyer steps in to rescue it. Whether Xia would talk sensible numbers, though, is quite another matter. #AVFCHow can a buyer rescue us, serious question?
Hearing from several sources now that Aston Villa's financial difficulties are serious. This could very well lead to administration unless a buyer steps in to rescue it. Whether Xia would talk sensible numbers, though, is quite another matter. #AVFCHow can a buyer rescue us, serious question?
By paying off the debts and buying us?
If X had money, or Recon, could a subsidiary do it? How would a new owner affect FFP?Hearing from several sources now that Aston Villa's financial difficulties are serious. This could very well lead to administration unless a buyer steps in to rescue it. Whether Xia would talk sensible numbers, though, is quite another matter. #AVFCHow can a buyer rescue us, serious question?
By paying off the debts and buying us?
If X had money, or Recon, could a subsidiary do it? How would a new owner affect FFP?Hearing from several sources now that Aston Villa's financial difficulties are serious. This could very well lead to administration unless a buyer steps in to rescue it. Whether Xia would talk sensible numbers, though, is quite another matter. #AVFCHow can a buyer rescue us, serious question?
By paying off the debts and buying us?
It makes my head hurt.
If X had money, or Recon, could a subsidiary do it? How would a new owner affect FFP?Hearing from several sources now that Aston Villa's financial difficulties are serious. This could very well lead to administration unless a buyer steps in to rescue it. Whether Xia would talk sensible numbers, though, is quite another matter. #AVFCHow can a buyer rescue us, serious question?
By paying off the debts and buying us?
It makes my head hurt.
All very worrying. Just how in the name of God has this been allowed to happen. The owner needs to make a statement ASAP, he just can't allow the situation to drift.
With the fishesAll very worrying. Just how in the name of God has this been allowed to happen. The owner needs to make a statement ASAP, he just can't allow the situation to drift.
He’s probably sleeping now.
John Percy
@JPercyTelegraph
Understand Trevor Birch - previously chief executive at #cfc and #lufc, among others - is now working closely with Aston Villa. Birch is renowned as an insolvency expert... #avfc
8:42 pm · 5 Jun 2018
John Percy
@JPercyTelegraph
Understand Trevor Birch - previously chief executive at #cfc and #lufc, among others - is now working closely with Aston Villa. Birch is renowned as an insolvency expert... #avfc
8:42 pm · 5 Jun 2018
And may also just be there, taking over from Wyness because we don't have a CEO and Birch is one?
Sold Chelsea to Roman and then went to Everton. Aided Pompey and sold Bolton on too.
You seem to be the only one finding humour and enjoyment out of all this. I wonder why.........And where are you finding that?We are fucked aren't we!
No, I have offered 50p for the stadium naming rights next year
Just sold my season ticket back :)
You seem to be the only one finding humour and enjoyment out of all this. I wonder why.........And where are you finding that?We are fucked aren't we!
No, I have offered 50p for the stadium naming rights next year
Just sold my season ticket back :)
NahYou seem to be the only one finding humour and enjoyment out of all this. I wonder why.........And where are you finding that?We are fucked aren't we!
No, I have offered 50p for the stadium naming rights next year
Just sold my season ticket back :)
sometimes in adversity and all that.
Aston Villa in turmoil after failure to pay tax bill of £5mWanker
By Laurie Whitwell for MailOnline 21:14, 05 Jun 2018, updated 21:31, 05 Jun 2018
Aston Villa have been plunged into further uncertainty after the club suspended chief executive Keith Wyness amid a failure to pay a late tax bill just shy of £5million to HMRC.
It is understood Villa had been given until last Friday to settle the overdue sum but missed the date and were threatened with a winding up order.
The club insist the matter will be resolved inside 48 hours - with an initial payment of £2m - but Sportsmail understands there are allegations owner Dr Tony Xia has failed to put cash into the club for three months, raising huge concerns. Xia is said to have been struggling to get money out of China following a government clampdown.
Owner Dr Tony Xia has failed to put any money into Aston Villa in the past three months
It is said Wyness, in his duty to find financial alternatives, was trying to raise funds through minor investors but Xia reacted badly to advice and temporarily dismissed his top executive.
In an alternative version of events it has been claimed Wyness was attempting to bring together a consortium to buy the club without Xia's prior knowledge. The Chinese businessman then found out and acted.
Sold Chelsea to Roman and then went to Everton. Aided Pompey and sold Bolton on too.
Interestingly he facilitated the sale of Portsmouth to the Pompey Supporters Trust which is maybe the route we'll all need to go down to shepherd our beloved Villa out of the darkness and back into the light... Or a wealthy American, there's always a wealthy American
Sold Chelsea to Roman and then went to Everton. Aided Pompey and sold Bolton on too.
Interestingly he facilitated the sale of Portsmouth to the Pompey Supporters Trust which is maybe the route we'll all need to go down to shepherd our beloved Villa out of the darkness and back into the light... Or a wealthy American, there's always a wealthy American
I think perhaps we need to reign in the speculation.
Aston Villa in turmoil after failure to pay tax bill of £5m
By Laurie Whitwell for MailOnline 21:14, 05 Jun 2018, updated 21:31, 05 Jun 2018
Aston Villa have been plunged into further uncertainty after the club suspended chief executive Keith Wyness amid a failure to pay a late tax bill just shy of £5million to HMRC.
It is understood Villa had been given until last Friday to settle the overdue sum but missed the date and were threatened with a winding up order.
The club insist the matter will be resolved inside 48 hours - with an initial payment of £2m - but Sportsmail understands there are allegations owner Dr Tony Xia has failed to put cash into the club for three months, raising huge concerns. Xia is said to have been struggling to get money out of China following a government clampdown.
Owner Dr Tony Xia has failed to put any money into Aston Villa in the past three months
It is said Wyness, in his duty to find financial alternatives, was trying to raise funds through minor investors but Xia reacted badly to advice and temporarily dismissed his top executive.
In an alternative version of events it has been claimed Wyness was attempting to bring together a consortium to buy the club without Xia's prior knowledge. The Chinese businessman then found out and acted.
Either way, Villa are left rudderless well into a vital transfer window where £40m of savings must be found to adhere to Financial Fair Play regulations. Jack Grealish could be sold for £30m, while clubs are interested in £10m-rated James Chester.
A Villa statement read: 'Aston Villa Football Club can confirm that chief executive, Keith Wyness, has been suspended by the club with immediate effect. Owner and chairman, Dr Tony Xia will assume the role until further notice. There will be no further comment from the club at this time.
Director of football Steve Round also faces an uncertain future given he was a Wyness appointment. That in turn leads to significant scrutiny on Steve Bruce's position with the manager not yet told of summer plans.
Bruce, currently on holiday, still has not received detailed communication about the impending cost-cutting or been given assurances he will lead the team into next season.
In a statement last week Xia failed to clarify whether the 57-year-old would continue following play-off final defeat.
He’ll be selling us at Bassetts Pole car boot on Sunday
All very worrying. Just how in the name of God has this been allowed to happen. The owner needs to make a statement ASAP, he just can't allow the situation to drift.
All very worrying. Just how in the name of God has this been allowed to happen. The owner needs to make a statement ASAP, he just can't allow the situation to drift.
Yes what we need now is another meaningless and/or embarrassing statement from clown Xia
All very worrying. Just how in the name of God has this been allowed to happen. The owner needs to make a statement ASAP, he just can't allow the situation to drift.
Yes what we need now is another meaningless and/or embarrassing statement from clown Xia
So with zero facts, other than the CEO being suspended, you've decided Xia is a "clown"?
On what basis?
All very worrying. Just how in the name of God has this been allowed to happen. The owner needs to make a statement ASAP, he just can't allow the situation to drift.
Yes what we need now is another meaningless and/or embarrassing statement from clown Xia
So with zero facts, other than the CEO being suspended, you've decided Xia is a "clown"?
On what basis?
To be fair, our inability to pay our PAYE bill is pretty embarrassing.
All very worrying. Just how in the name of God has this been allowed to happen. The owner needs to make a statement ASAP, he just can't allow the situation to drift.
Yes what we need now is another meaningless and/or embarrassing statement from clown Xia
So with zero facts, other than the CEO being suspended, you've decided Xia is a "clown"?
On what basis?
To be fair, our inability to pay our PAYE bill is pretty embarrassing.
Something which is more likely to be the responsibility of the CEO rather than the owner.
In the back of my mind I have a vivid recollection of Dr Tony saying he'd got a 2 year plan to get back in the Premiership when he took over. No panic when Di Matteo was sacked, & no panic when we didn't go up last summer.
He didn't say what might happen if we didn't go up this year, however...
SVC on Twatter will have some credence on saying Wyness was talking to new investors / owners without Dr Tony's knowledge.
Palace in the mire for their tax affairs too - https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/jun/05/crystal-palace-threatened-with-being-dissolved-over-late-accounts - perhaps, like some of my bills they've both missed the month end payment date...looking for positives...
All very worrying. Just how in the name of God has this been allowed to happen. The owner needs to make a statement ASAP, he just can't allow the situation to drift.
Yes what we need now is another meaningless and/or embarrassing statement from clown Xia
So with zero facts, other than the CEO being suspended, you've decided Xia is a "clown"?
On what basis?
All very worrying. Just how in the name of God has this been allowed to happen. The owner needs to make a statement ASAP, he just can't allow the situation to drift.
Yes what we need now is another meaningless and/or embarrassing statement from clown Xia
So with zero facts, other than the CEO being suspended, you've decided Xia is a "clown"?
On what basis?
2 yrs ago he was pledging to be in the champions league, promised ground improvements and redevelopment of Aston. Now he can't pay our tax. He ain't got a clue
I put it to you that he has not paid it because he could not pay it.
We could do with one of his cryptic/complete nonsense tweets to clear things up and put our minds at rest.
Whatever we thought about him at the time, such sloppy management would never have happened under Deadly Doug.
Whatever we thought about him at the time, such sloppy management would never have happened under Deadly Doug.
We were in a desperate position when Doug sold the club in in 2006 due to epic financial mismanagement from September 1998 onwards.
What exactly is HH doing about it?
I'm doing all I can to help too. Fuck all other than discussing it here.
No idea who HH is.
What exactly is HH doing about it?
I'm doing all I can to help too. Fuck all other than discussing it here.
What exactly is HH doing about it?He could be helping Tony locate his missing passbook.
I'm doing all I can to help too. Fuck all other than discussing it here.
Just heard a rumour that Xia was banking on promotion to clear debts he has in China. No sources, and I hesitate to use the phrase "Chinese whispers"...
What exactly is HH doing about it?Hopefully he’s coming up with another insightful ‘Hodgson Report’
I'm doing all I can to help too. Fuck all other than discussing it here.
What exactly is HH doing about it?Hopefully he’s coming up with another insightful ‘Hodgson Report’
I'm doing all I can to help too. Fuck all other than discussing it here.
Aston Villa owner, Dr Tony Xia, has been bankrolling the former European Champions from the moment he set foot inside Villa Park.
Each month, money would arrive from China, into Villa's bank account to make good the shortfall in normal trading operations.
That has happened, without fail, for the past two years.
Only last month, it didn't. April's money was received. May's wasn't. There was no sign of it turning up. It still hasn't.
Incredibly, that is all it has taken to bring this great football club – this cornerstone of the English game - to its knees.
One missed monthly payment. It's a sizeable one. Aston Villa are running a £5-6m monthly deficit on their current outgoings. But still.
Tony Xia with Steve Bruce (Image: Neville Williams)
And now that has set in motion a chain of events that is likely to see the club change ownership. That is one scenario.
The other is far more unpalatable. Administration – or, if a position with HMRC is not met – a winding up order may be issued.
No more Aston Villa. Doesn't bear thinking about.
Obviously, promotion to the Premier League would have solved the on-going cash crisis.
No wonder Xia, who sat stony-faced at Wembley as Fulham cavorted around the pitch just ten days ago, was unable to show any other emotion.
His world was just about to come crashing around him.
Perhaps it was a taste of things to come. Xia did not sit with his chief executive, Keith Wyness, at the play-off final. Behind the scenes, they had been seated on separate tables.
Strange, you might think, for the two chief decision-makers not to be joined at the hip – to not share the inevitable joy or pain that was about to be inflicted upon them.
But the writing was on the wall.
A few weeks earlier, Wyness, along with director of football Steve Round, had delivered a presentation to Xia at Bodymoor Heath, outlining the two courses of action that would be taken once Villa had qualified for the end-of-season lottery English football calls the play-offs.
One was promotion to the Premier League, the other staying right where Villa were, in the Championship.
Xia received the news. Didn't blink. Didn't move a muscle. Did not utter one single word.
The three-minute silence was eventually broken by Rongtien He, Xia's eyes and ears at Villa Park.
The result of that meeting led Wyness to confess later to a high-level colleague: “Anything other than promotion is not an option.”
By the time the final whistle blew at Wembley, the chief executive knew that he had to act. He had to take action as per his fiduciary duties as a director of the club.
He knew that the money from the Far East had not been received into Villa's bank account. He had to do something. And swiftly.
Steve Bruce looks dejected (Image: Getty Images Europe)
Late last week, with the club's payroll due on Friday, Wyness was on the phone, trying to raise the cash to pay it.
Burnley were contacted. Villa were due another chunk of money from Ashley Westwood's £5m transfer later this month.
They took a hit but the money turned up and the staff were paid. Wyness knew that this could not keep going indefinitely.
Any director who has an inkling that the club is trading insolvently must take advice. That was incumbent upon him.
As a director, he could also put the club into administration. It was that which has led Xia to trashing Wyness's reputation after Villa released a statement suspending their chief executive yesterday afternoon.
The next bill was from HMRC for £4.2m. That was the lever for Xia to use to put Wyness on gardening leave.
The authorities have been as aggressive as you might expect them to be in recovering that cash.
In just over three weeks time, Villa are due to make another payroll payment.
The bills just keep coming. And the cash position is little short of horrendous.
Anyone seeking to take on Villa as a going concern will have to make good a staggering £70m shortfall during the course of the next 12 months.
Due to existing contractual commitments the budget is showing a £25m deficit for 2019-20.
That is a £100m hole that needs plugging.
The parachute payment from the Premier League has dropped to £15m. The cash call is growing, not slowing.
Anyone interested in Villa will have to show a commitment to meeting those costs.
At this rate, Xia won't be seeing much back for his £150m gamble during the past two seasons.
He will be lucky to see the club change hands for £1 because someone has got to make good on his reckless calls.
Due to the football creditors' rule, the likes of Micah Richards, Pierluigi Gollini, Ross McCormack – none of whom kicked a ball in anger last season – will all have to be paid their monstrous salaries.
Xia will be lucky if he trousers anything from this.
He could, of course, raise some cash from selling assets.
Jack Grealish is the main one. A public auction might top £30m for the playmaker who has the world at his feet.
That would meet some of the on-going costs. Buy him some time, potentially, to off-load the club to a buyer.
Villa will auction off Grealish (Image: Clive Mason)
And what of Steve Bruce, the manager who drew together a disparate dressing-room and took Villa to within 90 minutes of diverting this disaster from public attention?
His future has been a subject of debate on message boards and in social media.
He will stay put. He's a tough cookie, Bruce. And anyway, paying him off is a long way down the club's list of priorities.
For now, Xia's got bigger issues to sort out. Like keeping Aston Villa afloat.
Fucking hell.Fucking hell.
So Wyness is blabbing away to the fucking Mirror now. I detest football sometimes.
So Simon Jordan was correct.How did he know?
We were not the only people wanting us to win the Play off Final.So Simon Jordan was correct.How did he know?
Gossip within the game, if we’ve contacted Burnley and be prepared to take a hit for a a payment a few weeks early then that’s something worth blabbing about.
So Simon Jordan was correct.How did he know?
As Yeats obviously meant to say, 'everything is fucked, fucked utterly.'
https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/inside-story-behind-aston-villa-12655774That is utterly fucking grim even if only half of it is true.QuoteAston Villa owner, Dr Tony Xia, has been bankrolling the former European Champions from the moment he set foot inside Villa Park.
Each month, money would arrive from China, into Villa's bank account to make good the shortfall in normal trading operations.
That has happened, without fail, for the past two years.
Only last month, it didn't. April's money was received. May's wasn't. There was no sign of it turning up. It still hasn't.
Incredibly, that is all it has taken to bring this great football club – this cornerstone of the English game - to its knees.
One missed monthly payment. It's a sizeable one. Aston Villa are running a £5-6m monthly deficit on their current outgoings. But still.
Tony Xia with Steve Bruce (Image: Neville Williams)
And now that has set in motion a chain of events that is likely to see the club change ownership. That is one scenario.
The other is far more unpalatable. Administration – or, if a position with HMRC is not met – a winding up order may be issued.
No more Aston Villa. Doesn't bear thinking about.
Obviously, promotion to the Premier League would have solved the on-going cash crisis.
No wonder Xia, who sat stony-faced at Wembley as Fulham cavorted around the pitch just ten days ago, was unable to show any other emotion.
His world was just about to come crashing around him.
Perhaps it was a taste of things to come. Xia did not sit with his chief executive, Keith Wyness, at the play-off final. Behind the scenes, they had been seated on separate tables.
Strange, you might think, for the two chief decision-makers not to be joined at the hip – to not share the inevitable joy or pain that was about to be inflicted upon them.
But the writing was on the wall.
A few weeks earlier, Wyness, along with director of football Steve Round, had delivered a presentation to Xia at Bodymoor Heath, outlining the two courses of action that would be taken once Villa had qualified for the end-of-season lottery English football calls the play-offs.
One was promotion to the Premier League, the other staying right where Villa were, in the Championship.
Xia received the news. Didn't blink. Didn't move a muscle. Did not utter one single word.
The three-minute silence was eventually broken by Rongtien He, Xia's eyes and ears at Villa Park.
The result of that meeting led Wyness to confess later to a high-level colleague: “Anything other than promotion is not an option.”
By the time the final whistle blew at Wembley, the chief executive knew that he had to act. He had to take action as per his fiduciary duties as a director of the club.
He knew that the money from the Far East had not been received into Villa's bank account. He had to do something. And swiftly.
Steve Bruce looks dejected (Image: Getty Images Europe)
Late last week, with the club's payroll due on Friday, Wyness was on the phone, trying to raise the cash to pay it.
Burnley were contacted. Villa were due another chunk of money from Ashley Westwood's £5m transfer later this month.
They took a hit but the money turned up and the staff were paid. Wyness knew that this could not keep going indefinitely.
Any director who has an inkling that the club is trading insolvently must take advice. That was incumbent upon him.
As a director, he could also put the club into administration. It was that which has led Xia to trashing Wyness's reputation after Villa released a statement suspending their chief executive yesterday afternoon.
The next bill was from HMRC for £4.2m. That was the lever for Xia to use to put Wyness on gardening leave.
The authorities have been as aggressive as you might expect them to be in recovering that cash.
In just over three weeks time, Villa are due to make another payroll payment.
The bills just keep coming. And the cash position is little short of horrendous.
Anyone seeking to take on Villa as a going concern will have to make good a staggering £70m shortfall during the course of the next 12 months.
Due to existing contractual commitments the budget is showing a £25m deficit for 2019-20.
That is a £100m hole that needs plugging.
The parachute payment from the Premier League has dropped to £15m. The cash call is growing, not slowing.
Anyone interested in Villa will have to show a commitment to meeting those costs.
At this rate, Xia won't be seeing much back for his £150m gamble during the past two seasons.
He will be lucky to see the club change hands for £1 because someone has got to make good on his reckless calls.
Due to the football creditors' rule, the likes of Micah Richards, Pierluigi Gollini, Ross McCormack – none of whom kicked a ball in anger last season – will all have to be paid their monstrous salaries.
Xia will be lucky if he trousers anything from this.
He could, of course, raise some cash from selling assets.
Jack Grealish is the main one. A public auction might top £30m for the playmaker who has the world at his feet.
That would meet some of the on-going costs. Buy him some time, potentially, to off-load the club to a buyer.
Villa will auction off Grealish (Image: Clive Mason)
And what of Steve Bruce, the manager who drew together a disparate dressing-room and took Villa to within 90 minutes of diverting this disaster from public attention?
His future has been a subject of debate on message boards and in social media.
He will stay put. He's a tough cookie, Bruce. And anyway, paying him off is a long way down the club's list of priorities.
For now, Xia's got bigger issues to sort out. Like keeping Aston Villa afloat.
:o
https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/inside-story-behind-aston-villa-12655774That is utterly fucking grim even if only half of it is true.QuoteAston Villa owner, Dr Tony Xia, has been bankrolling the former European Champions from the moment he set foot inside Villa Park.
Each month, money would arrive from China, into Villa's bank account to make good the shortfall in normal trading operations.
That has happened, without fail, for the past two years.
Only last month, it didn't. April's money was received. May's wasn't. There was no sign of it turning up. It still hasn't.
Incredibly, that is all it has taken to bring this great football club – this cornerstone of the English game - to its knees.
One missed monthly payment. It's a sizeable one. Aston Villa are running a £5-6m monthly deficit on their current outgoings. But still.
Tony Xia with Steve Bruce (Image: Neville Williams)
And now that has set in motion a chain of events that is likely to see the club change ownership. That is one scenario.
The other is far more unpalatable. Administration – or, if a position with HMRC is not met – a winding up order may be issued.
No more Aston Villa. Doesn't bear thinking about.
Obviously, promotion to the Premier League would have solved the on-going cash crisis.
No wonder Xia, who sat stony-faced at Wembley as Fulham cavorted around the pitch just ten days ago, was unable to show any other emotion.
His world was just about to come crashing around him.
Perhaps it was a taste of things to come. Xia did not sit with his chief executive, Keith Wyness, at the play-off final. Behind the scenes, they had been seated on separate tables.
Strange, you might think, for the two chief decision-makers not to be joined at the hip – to not share the inevitable joy or pain that was about to be inflicted upon them.
But the writing was on the wall.
A few weeks earlier, Wyness, along with director of football Steve Round, had delivered a presentation to Xia at Bodymoor Heath, outlining the two courses of action that would be taken once Villa had qualified for the end-of-season lottery English football calls the play-offs.
One was promotion to the Premier League, the other staying right where Villa were, in the Championship.
Xia received the news. Didn't blink. Didn't move a muscle. Did not utter one single word.
The three-minute silence was eventually broken by Rongtien He, Xia's eyes and ears at Villa Park.
The result of that meeting led Wyness to confess later to a high-level colleague: “Anything other than promotion is not an option.”
By the time the final whistle blew at Wembley, the chief executive knew that he had to act. He had to take action as per his fiduciary duties as a director of the club.
He knew that the money from the Far East had not been received into Villa's bank account. He had to do something. And swiftly.
Steve Bruce looks dejected (Image: Getty Images Europe)
Late last week, with the club's payroll due on Friday, Wyness was on the phone, trying to raise the cash to pay it.
Burnley were contacted. Villa were due another chunk of money from Ashley Westwood's £5m transfer later this month.
They took a hit but the money turned up and the staff were paid. Wyness knew that this could not keep going indefinitely.
Any director who has an inkling that the club is trading insolvently must take advice. That was incumbent upon him.
As a director, he could also put the club into administration. It was that which has led Xia to trashing Wyness's reputation after Villa released a statement suspending their chief executive yesterday afternoon.
The next bill was from HMRC for £4.2m. That was the lever for Xia to use to put Wyness on gardening leave.
The authorities have been as aggressive as you might expect them to be in recovering that cash.
In just over three weeks time, Villa are due to make another payroll payment.
The bills just keep coming. And the cash position is little short of horrendous.
Anyone seeking to take on Villa as a going concern will have to make good a staggering £70m shortfall during the course of the next 12 months.
Due to existing contractual commitments the budget is showing a £25m deficit for 2019-20.
That is a £100m hole that needs plugging.
The parachute payment from the Premier League has dropped to £15m. The cash call is growing, not slowing.
Anyone interested in Villa will have to show a commitment to meeting those costs.
At this rate, Xia won't be seeing much back for his £150m gamble during the past two seasons.
He will be lucky to see the club change hands for £1 because someone has got to make good on his reckless calls.
Due to the football creditors' rule, the likes of Micah Richards, Pierluigi Gollini, Ross McCormack – none of whom kicked a ball in anger last season – will all have to be paid their monstrous salaries.
Xia will be lucky if he trousers anything from this.
He could, of course, raise some cash from selling assets.
Jack Grealish is the main one. A public auction might top £30m for the playmaker who has the world at his feet.
That would meet some of the on-going costs. Buy him some time, potentially, to off-load the club to a buyer.
Villa will auction off Grealish (Image: Clive Mason)
And what of Steve Bruce, the manager who drew together a disparate dressing-room and took Villa to within 90 minutes of diverting this disaster from public attention?
His future has been a subject of debate on message boards and in social media.
He will stay put. He's a tough cookie, Bruce. And anyway, paying him off is a long way down the club's list of priorities.
For now, Xia's got bigger issues to sort out. Like keeping Aston Villa afloat.
:o
https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/inside-story-behind-aston-villa-12655774That is utterly fucking grim even if only half of it is true.QuoteAston Villa owner, Dr Tony Xia, has been bankrolling the former European Champions from the moment he set foot inside Villa Park.
Each month, money would arrive from China, into Villa's bank account to make good the shortfall in normal trading operations.
That has happened, without fail, for the past two years.
Only last month, it didn't. April's money was received. May's wasn't. There was no sign of it turning up. It still hasn't.
Incredibly, that is all it has taken to bring this great football club – this cornerstone of the English game - to its knees.
One missed monthly payment. It's a sizeable one. Aston Villa are running a £5-6m monthly deficit on their current outgoings. But still.
Tony Xia with Steve Bruce (Image: Neville Williams)
And now that has set in motion a chain of events that is likely to see the club change ownership. That is one scenario.
The other is far more unpalatable. Administration – or, if a position with HMRC is not met – a winding up order may be issued.
No more Aston Villa. Doesn't bear thinking about.
Obviously, promotion to the Premier League would have solved the on-going cash crisis.
No wonder Xia, who sat stony-faced at Wembley as Fulham cavorted around the pitch just ten days ago, was unable to show any other emotion.
His world was just about to come crashing around him.
Perhaps it was a taste of things to come. Xia did not sit with his chief executive, Keith Wyness, at the play-off final. Behind the scenes, they had been seated on separate tables.
Strange, you might think, for the two chief decision-makers not to be joined at the hip – to not share the inevitable joy or pain that was about to be inflicted upon them.
But the writing was on the wall.
A few weeks earlier, Wyness, along with director of football Steve Round, had delivered a presentation to Xia at Bodymoor Heath, outlining the two courses of action that would be taken once Villa had qualified for the end-of-season lottery English football calls the play-offs.
One was promotion to the Premier League, the other staying right where Villa were, in the Championship.
Xia received the news. Didn't blink. Didn't move a muscle. Did not utter one single word.
The three-minute silence was eventually broken by Rongtien He, Xia's eyes and ears at Villa Park.
The result of that meeting led Wyness to confess later to a high-level colleague: “Anything other than promotion is not an option.”
By the time the final whistle blew at Wembley, the chief executive knew that he had to act. He had to take action as per his fiduciary duties as a director of the club.
He knew that the money from the Far East had not been received into Villa's bank account. He had to do something. And swiftly.
Steve Bruce looks dejected (Image: Getty Images Europe)
Late last week, with the club's payroll due on Friday, Wyness was on the phone, trying to raise the cash to pay it.
Burnley were contacted. Villa were due another chunk of money from Ashley Westwood's £5m transfer later this month.
They took a hit but the money turned up and the staff were paid. Wyness knew that this could not keep going indefinitely.
Any director who has an inkling that the club is trading insolvently must take advice. That was incumbent upon him.
As a director, he could also put the club into administration. It was that which has led Xia to trashing Wyness's reputation after Villa released a statement suspending their chief executive yesterday afternoon.
The next bill was from HMRC for £4.2m. That was the lever for Xia to use to put Wyness on gardening leave.
The authorities have been as aggressive as you might expect them to be in recovering that cash.
In just over three weeks time, Villa are due to make another payroll payment.
The bills just keep coming. And the cash position is little short of horrendous.
Anyone seeking to take on Villa as a going concern will have to make good a staggering £70m shortfall during the course of the next 12 months.
Due to existing contractual commitments the budget is showing a £25m deficit for 2019-20.
That is a £100m hole that needs plugging.
The parachute payment from the Premier League has dropped to £15m. The cash call is growing, not slowing.
Anyone interested in Villa will have to show a commitment to meeting those costs.
At this rate, Xia won't be seeing much back for his £150m gamble during the past two seasons.
He will be lucky to see the club change hands for £1 because someone has got to make good on his reckless calls.
Due to the football creditors' rule, the likes of Micah Richards, Pierluigi Gollini, Ross McCormack – none of whom kicked a ball in anger last season – will all have to be paid their monstrous salaries.
Xia will be lucky if he trousers anything from this.
He could, of course, raise some cash from selling assets.
Jack Grealish is the main one. A public auction might top £30m for the playmaker who has the world at his feet.
That would meet some of the on-going costs. Buy him some time, potentially, to off-load the club to a buyer.
Villa will auction off Grealish (Image: Clive Mason)
And what of Steve Bruce, the manager who drew together a disparate dressing-room and took Villa to within 90 minutes of diverting this disaster from public attention?
His future has been a subject of debate on message boards and in social media.
He will stay put. He's a tough cookie, Bruce. And anyway, paying him off is a long way down the club's list of priorities.
For now, Xia's got bigger issues to sort out. Like keeping Aston Villa afloat.
:o
It was a gamble that has gone badly wrong. Was it worth a go - given the financial pennies in the near distance perhaps yes.What was plan A apart from spunking money on any old shit?
What is obviously certain now is that we gambled above any sensible numbers and we never at any time had any plan B.
It was a gamble that has gone badly wrong. Was it worth a go - given the financial pennies in the near distance perhaps yes.What was plan A apart from spunking money on any old shit?
What is obviously certain now is that we gambled above any sensible numbers and we never at any time had any plan B.
It was a gamble that has gone badly wrong. Was it worth a go - given the financial pennies in the near distance perhaps yes.What was plan A apart from spunking money on any old shit?
What is obviously certain now is that we gambled above any sensible numbers and we never at any time had any plan B.
Just old buggers?
Think of all the old buggers moaning about this league and how much they hate it for the past two seasons.
Now imagine the same people if we hadn't even spent all that money trying to get out of it.
The club tried, and failed. That's ambition apparently.
Maybe, with hindsight we should've adopted a new young/fresh team approach from the minute we came down. But then again just imagine the howls of derision from the 'we must go straight back up we're Aston Villa entitled brigade' if we had.
I don't know what to think anymore.
Think of all the old buggers moaning about this league and how much they hate it for the past two seasons.
Now imagine the same people if we hadn't even spent all that money trying to get out of it.
The club tried, and failed. That's ambition apparently.
Maybe, with hindsight we should've adopted a new young/fresh team approach from the minute we came down. But then again just imagine the howls of derision from the 'we must go straight back up we're Aston Villa entitled brigade' if we had.
I don't know what to think anymore.
Think of all the old buggers moaning about this league and how much they hate it for the past two seasons.
Now imagine the same people if we hadn't even spent all that money trying to get out of it.
The club tried, and failed. That's ambition apparently.
Maybe, with hindsight we should've adopted a new young/fresh team approach from the minute we came down. But then again just imagine the howls of derision from the 'we must go straight back up we're Aston Villa entitled brigade' if we had.
I don't know what to think anymore.
I have no regrets backing him. I'd have got behind whoever it was who came in. That's what supporters do.Yes some see supporting the manager and the club as the same thing.
It didn't have to be an all or nothing approach. There are degrees in between not spending anything and gambling everything so that if we didn't go up we're effectively bust.
I doubt many would have supported the Norwich City approach to relegation. They have kept the PL money and settled in to life in the championship. There would have been uproar if we did that.You do not put the future of the club, it’s employees and it’s supportedrs at stake let alone the millions you have invested.
We gambled and it nearly paid off, but it is now going to bite us on the arse for years to come.
Is it better to have tried and failed, or not try at all?
What's all this "old buggers" moaning about being in the Championship? I posted the other day at one of the other ageists if you are happy with 4th place in the second division, enjoy. To which I would now add "And threatened with liquidation and 12 point deduction plus financial penalties - enjoy". Some of us old buggers saw this shit storm coming many many months ago.Well said Brian.
What's all this "old buggers" moaning about being in the Championship? I posted the other day at one of the other ageists if you are happy with 4th place in the second division, enjoy. To which I would now add "And threatened with liquidation and 12 point deduction plus financial penalties - enjoy". Some of us old buggers saw this shit storm coming many many months ago.as an old bugger , I d like to ask all the others old enough to remember the state of the club in 1968/69 - was it worse then compared to now? Obviously the figures now are telephone numbers compared to back then - is there a Pat Matthews or Doug Ellis out there ready to rescue the club?
What's all this "old buggers" moaning about being in the Championship? I posted the other day at one of the other ageists if you are happy with 4th place in the second division, enjoy. To which I would now add "And threatened with liquidation and 12 point deduction plus financial penalties - enjoy". Some of us old buggers saw this shit storm coming many many months ago.
I'm an old(ish) bugger and I hate being in this shit pot league with a passion, however i'd have put up with being in it for a couple of years if we'd basically ripped the club apart and started fresh and built for the long term future, main reason I wanted Bruce gone after the first season was because we still looked a disjointed mess a lot of the time, not because we finished mid-table.
Instead we repeated all the same mistakes of going short term by buying a number of overpriced players that will be hard to shift, building up an unsustainable wage bill and hired a manager that as we've seen built pretty much everything based on a one season push. So now the odds look good that we'll be stuck down here for a fair old while barring a miracle.
Owner believes that one club employee actively pushed for administration so that person could then be a part of a consortium to buy the club again, this ensuring continued role at Villa.
Consortium. Were at NDA stage with another club, tipped off that XXFC were for sale( including intimate financial details), dropped interest in other club and "parties" made sure it was circulated around the press. Shithousery on the grandest of scales.
I'm an old(ish) bugger and I hate being in this shit pot league with a passion, however i'd have put up with being in it for a couple of years if we'd basically ripped the club apart and started fresh and built for the long term future, main reason I wanted Bruce gone after the first season was because we still looked a disjointed mess a lot of the time, not because we finished mid-table.
Instead we repeated all the same mistakes of going short term by buying a number of overpriced players that will be hard to shift, building up an unsustainable wage bill and hired a manager that as we've seen built pretty much everything based on a one season push. So now the odds look good that we'll be stuck down here for a fair old while barring a miracle.
I'm an old(ish) bugger and I hate being in this shit pot league with a passion, however i'd have put up with being in it for a couple of years if we'd basically ripped the club apart and started fresh and built for the long term future, main reason I wanted Bruce gone after the first season was because we still looked a disjointed mess a lot of the time, not because we finished mid-table.the reality being we have no money to spend and without an inspirational managerial appointment we may struggle to make an impact next season - potentially like our latter days in the top flight only with less financial reward
Instead we repeated all the same mistakes of going short term by buying a number of overpriced players that will be hard to shift, building up an unsustainable wage bill and hired a manager that as we've seen built pretty much everything based on a one season push. So now the odds look good that we'll be stuck down here for a fair old while barring a miracle.
My first game as a nipper was around 74/75 which gives my age away a tad!I'll guess 49/50. Still a youngster !!!
Quote from: Stan Collymore, TwitterOwner believes that one club employee actively pushed for administration so that person could then be a part of a consortium to buy the club again, this ensuring continued role at Villa.Quote from: Stan Collymore, TwitterConsortium. Were at NDA stage with another club, tipped off that XXFC were for sale( including intimate financial details), dropped interest in other club and "parties" made sure it was circulated around the press. Shithousery on the grandest of scales.
That's mental if true...now SVC is trying to get a fan buy-out going !
Close, 48.did you go to the 75 League Cup Final?
It didn't have to be an all or nothing approach. There are degrees in between not spending anything and gambling everything so that if we didn't go up we're effectively bust.
It didn't have to be an all or nothing approach. There are degrees in between not spending anything and gambling everything so that if we didn't go up we're effectively bust.
Isn't this exactly what we did last season though ?
Season 1 spent way too much, around 40m net
Season 2 reigned it all in and made around 20m profit on transfers
I'm an old(ish) bugger and I hate being in this shit pot league with a passion, however i'd have put up with being in it for a couple of years if we'd basically ripped the club apart and started fresh and built for the long term future, main reason I wanted Bruce gone after the first season was because we still looked a disjointed mess a lot of the time, not because we finished mid-table.
Instead we repeated all the same mistakes of going short term by buying a number of overpriced players that will be hard to shift, building up an unsustainable wage bill and hired a manager that as we've seen built pretty much everything based on a one season push. So now the odds look good that we'll be stuck down here for a fair old while barring a miracle.
Think of all the old buggers moaning about this league and how much they hate it for the past two seasons.
Now imagine the same people if we hadn't even spent all that money trying to get out of it.
The club tried, and failed. That's ambition apparently.
Maybe, with hindsight we should've adopted a new young/fresh team approach from the minute we came down. But then again just imagine the howls of derision from the 'we must go straight back up we're Aston Villa entitled brigade' if we had.
I don't know what to think anymore.
It didn't have to be an all or nothing approach. There are degrees in between not spending anything and gambling everything so that if we didn't go up we're effectively bust.
Think of all the old buggers moaning about this league and how much they hate it for the past two seasons.
Now imagine the same people if we hadn't even spent all that money trying to get out of it.
The club tried, and failed. That's ambition apparently.
Maybe, with hindsight we should've adopted a new young/fresh team approach from the minute we came down. But then again just imagine the howls of derision from the 'we must go straight back up we're Aston Villa entitled brigade' if we had.
I don't know what to think anymore.
It didn't have to be an all or nothing approach. There are degrees in between not spending anything and gambling everything so that if we didn't go up we're effectively bust.
There were warning signs from early days really. Newcastle funded their transfer spend through selling the likes of Sissoko to fund solid buys on the likes of Clark and Gayle.
Xia, Wyness and Round decided on a different approach entirely. We need a striker, let's buy McCormack and Kodjia for 20m combined. McCormack bombs, let's spend another 10m on Hogan about 6 months later. We need a midfielder, let's buy Lansbury and Hourihane in the space of a week. Need a right back, let's get in three.
Wyness is an utter snake. All the faffing about FFP when the solvency of the club has been at risk for months and possibly since the day Xia took over. He oversaw this from day 1, all chips thrown across the table on the 90 mins v Fulham. He should never work in business again not to mind football.
What really galls me is that we had to beg the likes of Burnley and Newcastle for cash to keep the lights on but at the same time were happy to let the likes of Richards and Gabby run down their contracts. Those two charlatans would gladly have taken an upfront cash payment to take their banter elsewhere for the last two years.
Alarm bells were ringing at Aston Villa long before a tax bill went unpaid last month. The first indication that all was not well came last year, when Tony Xia’s monthly payments stopped arriving with the same frequency, leaving a club that were operating way beyond their means, and are totally dependent on the owner’s financial support, scrambling around to pay the bills.
Xia, the Chinese businessman who revealed that it was his dream to turn Villa into one of the world’s top three clubs when he took over two years ago, had previously always made regular transfers to cover the outgoings, averaging around £4m a month across his first season. Yet the Guardian understands that those payments were made nothing like as consistently from as far back as 2017.
Villa, one way or another, managed to get by for the majority of last season, sometimes by asking clubs to bring forward staggered transfer fees for players that had been sold on. That practice, not uncommon in the Championship, saw Villa write off money in the long term to solve cash-flow problems in the short term.
Reality, however, was about to bite. In April and May, as the season neared the end, the money trail from China dried up completely and Villa’s financial position became critical. HM Revenue & Customs was due a payment in the region of £4m after May’s payroll and Villa, quite simply, had no way of getting their hands on the money.
The Championship play-off final was on the horizon – a get-rich-quick ticket that had the potential to put Villa’s financial worries to bed – but so was the HMRC deadline, which came 24 hours before the pivotal game against Fulham at Wembley. Villa missed the deadline and the golden ticket slipped through their fingers the following day. Suddenly it was crisis time.
Plenty of staff working within Villa Park must have seen the storm coming, including Keith Wyness, the chief executive, who felt duty-bound to act once it became clear that the club were not going to be able to pay HMRC. Wyness, who would have known the fiduciary responsibilities that come with his role on the board, is believed to have sought insolvency advice before and after the Fulham match.
Indeed, it is understood that Wyness advised Xia, who has been in Beijing since the play-off final, of the severe consequences of failing to pay HMRC, including the prospect of Villa being placed in administration and served with a winding up petition.
HMRC, which has adopted a robust approach in recent times to the football industry, was far from impressed with Villa’s inability to pay their tax bill and not minded to cut them much slack. The club were given a 10-day extension, which expired last Tuesday.
Wyness was no longer in control of the day-to-day running of the club by the time that deadline passed, after being told via a letter that he had been suspended. The reasons for that decision have not been made public but it is believed that Xia took exception to Wyness’s views on Villa’s predicament and wants the club to investigate the chief executive’s conduct in relation to the conversations that took place about insolvency.
It is all rather strange and, worryingly for Villa fans, easy to imagine things getting worse before they get better. Even if Villa come up with the money to cover May’s HMRC bill – there are suggestions an agreement will be reached by the end of the week – another payment will be due in less than three weeks’ time and then the whole episode starts again, not overlooking the fact that there will be many other creditors to satisfy. An exodus of players, including the departure of Jack Grealish, the club’s prize asset, seems inevitable.
Although complying with the Championship’s financial fair play rules threatens to be a major issue now that Villa’s three-year-loss limit has fallen to £39m, FFP is a problem for another day. The more pressing concern is the here and now, highlighted by a sobering story in the Birmingham Mail, revealing that the club are considering selling a plot of land close to Villa Park, which is used as a staff car park, to raise a few million quid.
This is the same club that embarked on an unprecedented spending spree at Championship level the season before last, when £88m was splurged on signings. Xia was effectively placing all his claret and blue chips on winning promotion with a high-risk strategy that has badly backfired and leaves the club with a huge financial void to fill next season, with or without his funding.
How much Xia is actually worth is a matter of debate and tied in with the question of why he is no longer bankrolling Villa. A key reason put forward is that the Chinese government has clamped down on capital flight, where investors send their money out of the country, although some Villa fans could be forgiven for wondering if that is a smokescreen for other issues. The club have been approached for comment.
Reports about potential takeovers continue to give those fans a glimmer of hope that there could be a resolution, although no change of ownership is anticipated in the near future. In fact, all that can be said for sure right now is that one of England’s most famous football clubs is in an awful mess.
Aston Villa owe more than £11 million in transfer fees to fellow Sky Bet Championship clubs who, under the football creditors’ rule, are entitled to be paid before HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) or other businesses, The Times has learnt.
It is understood that Villa are due to pay the final instalments in the transfer fees of Ross McCormack and James Chester this summer, with Fulham and West Bromwich Albion owed payments of £6 million and £2 million respectively, while Brentford are owed £3 million for the transfer of Scott Hogan, with the final instalment due next January.
The full scale of the financial crisis at Villa after their play-off final defeat by Fulham has emerged over the past few days, culminating in the dramatic events on Tuesday when the chief executive Keith Wyness was placed on gardening leave, with the owner Tony Xia taking full control of the club.
Ironically, having plunged Villa into turmoil by beating them 1-0 at Wembley, Fulham are one of their biggest creditors, with the £6 million balance outstanding from the £12 million McCormack transfer a larger liability than the £4.2 million tax bill for May owed to HMRC, which the club are confident of settling later this week.
Under the football creditors’ rule, clubs and players are paid in full before other creditors if a League club enters insolvency. Wyness was suspended as he was one of three directors able to put Villa into administration, along with Xia and his aide Tracy Gu, and had clashed with the owner over the best way to keep the club afloat.
The former Everton chief executive was forced to go to extraordinary lengths to ensure that Villa paid their staff’s wages last month and succeeded in bringing forward a payment owed by Burnley after the transfer of Ashley Westwood, although Villa had to accept a significant reduction to get the money early.
Villa are paying the price for lavish spending in the 2016-17 season under Xia after their relegation from the Premier League, with McCormack, Chester and Hogan the most expensive of 14 players signed during that campaign for a total of £37 million.
Xia has attracted several potential buyers for Villa, including the New York Yankees minority shareholder Peter B Freund, as The Times revealed yesterday, and have secured a £6 million loan to pay off the club’s tax debt and stave off the threat of a winding-up order from HMRC.
The crisis has led to Steve Bruce seeking urgent talks with Xia to clarify his position as manager and the plans for the squad. Xia is expected to order a fire sale of players, although Chester and Jack Grealish are the only ones likely to command significant transfer fees. Others, including Mile Jedinak, Glenn Whelan and Ahmed Elmohamady, could be sold for smaller fees.
Or maybe they were acting on the wishes of the owner?
Lest face it xia was the one saying he was a billionaire and wanted to get into europes elite in a few years and presumable behind the scenes was initially offering and delivering monthly cash flow payments.
Or maybe they were acting on the wishes of the owner?
Lest face it xia was the one saying he was a billionaire and wanted to get into europes elite in a few years and presumable behind the scenes was initially offering and delivering monthly cash flow payments.
Well yeah, that will have to be their defence. We knew we were in deep shit with debts mounting up, but hey Tony's a billionaire. Not sure how many billionaires run their businesses hand to mouth though, because y'know billionaires don't need to.
Wyness was suspended as he was one of three directors able to put Villa into administration, along with Xia and his aide Tracy Gu, and had clashed with the owner over the best way to keep the club afloat.
Quote from: The TimesWyness was suspended as he was one of three directors able to put Villa into administration, along with Xia and his aide Tracy Gu, and had clashed with the owner over the best way to keep the club afloat.
Seems like the most plausible reason to me and makes the most sense.
The articles saying Wyness had done nothing wrong would bear this out. In effect, by suspending him Xia has safeguarded Wyness from any blame and responsibility, and safeguarded his own position of not wanting to go into administration.
Whether it's the right thing to do, however, we won't know for a while.
On a separate note, I notice the Recon website hasn't posted any News for 15 months.....
Dr. Tony Xia
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It has been very difficult 2weeks as I hinted earlier I was almost heartbroken by something.Tried my best to keep beloved AV move forward. Thanks for all ppl standing together going through the difficult time. It was all supporters’ encouraging words to keep me/us stronger. #UTV
Dr. Tony Xia
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It has been very difficult 2weeks as I hinted earlier I was almost heartbroken by something.Tried my best to keep beloved AV move forward. Thanks for all ppl standing together going through the difficult time. It was all supporters’ encouraging words to keep me/us stronger. #UTV
He's heartbroken, wtf are we!
"Tried my best" past tense so sounds like that's a farewell to me.
"Tried my best" past tense so sounds like that's a farewell to me.
He is not blameless but it looks like he put around £150 mil in , Wyness on other hand too 300k a year in salary and mismanaged the wages to an epic degree
He is not blameless but it looks like he put around £150 mil in , Wyness on other hand too 300k a year in salary and mismanaged the wages to an epic degree
He should have done it with emojis.
😱😭😱💩💩💩💩✈️🤮👋
He is not blameless but it looks like he put around £150 mil in , Wyness on other hand too 300k a year in salary and mismanaged the wages to an epic degree
I'd have to agree with that.
Had the money that was there been spent wisely, we would be in the Premier League now and there would be a lot more in the 'incomings' column. Wyness was Steve Bruce's superior, he was supposed to have the lifetime of football administration - that's why he was brought in. It's no good playing the 'doing the best thing for the club' card now. The time for that was not signing off on tens of millions of pounds letting a squad be built which was 40% comprised of right backs and crap strikers on big money. Dr. Tony has been very naive yes, but Wyness (and Bruce) take their share of the blame so the reporters trying to paint Wyness as some kind of wannabe guardian angel battling the owner for the long term good of the Villa can fuck right off.
Aston Villa Football Club can confirm that an agreement has been reached with HMRC and the club will continue to fulfil its obligations.
The club can also announce that there are no insolvency practitioners or administration advisors working with the club.
Owner and Chairman Dr Tony Xia would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank supporters during this difficult and unsettling time and reassure them plans are now being put in place to move the club forward.
Just appeared on the website
Potential sale?Aston Villa Football Club can confirm that an agreement has been reached with HMRC and the club will continue to fulfil its obligations.
The club can also announce that there are no insolvency practitioners or administration advisors working with the club.
Owner and Chairman Dr Tony Xia would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank supporters during this difficult and unsettling time and reassure them plans are now being put in place to move the club forward.
Just appeared on the website
Delusional.
Potential sale?Aston Villa Football Club can confirm that an agreement has been reached with HMRC and the club will continue to fulfil its obligations.
The club can also announce that there are no insolvency practitioners or administration advisors working with the club.
Owner and Chairman Dr Tony Xia would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank supporters during this difficult and unsettling time and reassure them plans are now being put in place to move the club forward.
Just appeared on the website
Delusional.
Potential sale?Aston Villa Football Club can confirm that an agreement has been reached with HMRC and the club will continue to fulfil its obligations.
The club can also announce that there are no insolvency practitioners or administration advisors working with the club.
Owner and Chairman Dr Tony Xia would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank supporters during this difficult and unsettling time and reassure them plans are now being put in place to move the club forward.
Just appeared on the website
Delusional.
Sales don't happen overnight, we've a tax bill outstanding still with payment due next week and then there's the next salary run and associated PAYE, where's the magic money tree suddenly come from?
Aston Villa Football Club can confirm that an agreement has been reached with HMRC and the club will continue to fulfil its obligations.So, our football club is not currently being declared insolvent or going into administration.
The club can also announce that there are no insolvency practitioners or administration advisors working with the club.
Owner and Chairman Dr Tony Xia would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank supporters during this difficult and unsettling time and reassure them plans are now being put in place to move the club forward.
Just appeared on the website
Potential sale?Aston Villa Football Club can confirm that an agreement has been reached with HMRC and the club will continue to fulfil its obligations.
The club can also announce that there are no insolvency practitioners or administration advisors working with the club.
Owner and Chairman Dr Tony Xia would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank supporters during this difficult and unsettling time and reassure them plans are now being put in place to move the club forward.
Just appeared on the website
Delusional.
Sales don't happen overnight, we've a tax bill outstanding still with payment due next week and then there's the next salary run and associated PAYE, where's the magic money tree suddenly come from?
What have we been using for the last couple of years then?
Potential sale?Aston Villa Football Club can confirm that an agreement has been reached with HMRC and the club will continue to fulfil its obligations.
The club can also announce that there are no insolvency practitioners or administration advisors working with the club.
Owner and Chairman Dr Tony Xia would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank supporters during this difficult and unsettling time and reassure them plans are now being put in place to move the club forward.
Just appeared on the website
Delusional.
Sales don't happen overnight, we've a tax bill outstanding still with payment due next week and then there's the next salary run and associated PAYE, where's the magic money tree suddenly come from?
What have we been using for the last couple of years then?
If he has sorted out the HMRC debtband is he’ll bent on keeping control, now watch the players being sold to pay the money back.
If he has sorted out the HMRC debtband is he’ll bent on keeping control, now watch the players being sold to pay the money back.Precisely.
I sincerely hope this is the case. That he is keeping it afloat for a sale and the sale happens quickly.If he has sorted out the HMRC debtband is he’ll bent on keeping control, now watch the players being sold to pay the money back.
Or the other possibility is that he would consider it to be career endingly bad for the club to go bust so he'll make sure that doesn't happen and then get out while he can, unwilling to gamble on a football club any further.
I couldn’t give a toss how much he’s ‘hurting.’
I'm an old(ish) bugger and I hate being in this shit pot league with a passion, however i'd have put up with being in it for a couple of years if we'd basically ripped the club apart and started fresh and built for the long term future, main reason I wanted Bruce gone after the first season was because we still looked a disjointed mess a lot of the time, not because we finished mid-table.
Instead we repeated all the same mistakes of going short term by buying a number of overpriced players that will be hard to shift, building up an unsustainable wage bill and hired a manager that as we've seen built pretty much everything based on a one season push. So now the odds look good that we'll be stuck down here for a fair old while barring a miracle.
I couldn’t give a toss how much he’s ‘hurting.’
First thing I thought. What an ego-maniacal little prick.
Seriously, who on here would trust him staying in charge? I'll wait.
If he has sorted out the HMRC debtband is he’ll bent on keeping control, now watch the players being sold to pay the money back.
Or the other possibility is that he would consider it to be career endingly bad for the club to go bust so he'll make sure that doesn't happen and then get out while he can, unwilling to gamble on a football club any further.
Seriously, who on here would trust him staying in charge? I'll wait.
No one - his position is untenable. He has to sell up
His last tweet reads like a suicide note.
His last tweet reads like a suicide note.
Does he have £40m in life insurance?
I probably shouldn't say this but I am beginning to feel a bit sorry for Tony. He inherited an absolute basket case which no doubt was losing money (do we know if Randy was propping us up by £4m a month before Tony took over?) and then was probably advised by KW and RDM to throw more money at it to gamble on a quick return to the PL, probably assuring him it would be a no brainer because they would get the right players (assuming Tone knows nothing about football of course!).
So he did and ended up pouring more petrol on the fire because they couldn't get rid of the wasters. Is this his fault? Bottom line now is that he is personally trying to put out the fires and sounds like he has at least saved us for now, and possibly found some new investment to boot which might be what we need rather than a complete new change of ownership. There again he could be the Crason Young-Like chancer many have made him out to be, but I have seen nothing from his statements or tweets that suggest he didn't want the best for the club. I guess it will all come out in the next few weeks if we see our best players all buggering off, but for now I am clinging to the notion that he is trying to do his best to get investment in so we can field a team that can challenge again next season - he said with every extremity tightly crossed....
To be fair to him he has been funding a £5m a month working capital funding gap for nearly two years. That is quite a lot of dough when you think about it. Betting the house on one game though was the mistake.
Like Lerner it appears to have been a very expensive hobby - we don't need another " fan" we need a savvy sports business individual/s who can turn a profit/ break even whilst moving the club onwardsTo be fair to him he has been funding a £5m a month working capital funding gap for nearly two years. That is quite a lot of dough when you think about it. Betting the house on one game though was the mistake.
You do have to be fair to someone that has ploughed 150 million of their own cash in. He needs to accept his losses and sell up though.
To be fair to him he has been funding a £5m a month working capital funding gap for nearly two years. That is quite a lot of dough when you think about it. Betting the house on one game though was the mistake.
You do have to be fair to someone that has ploughed 150 million of their own cash in. He needs to accept his losses and sell up though.
We dared to believe and we could still be believing if we had won at Wembley. As it stands appears he is another football fraud. Just wish it hadn't happened to our club.I woul
We dared to believe and we could still be believing if we had won at Wembley. As it stands appears he is another football fraud. Just wish it hadn't happened to our club.I wouldn't wish this on any club.
The stuff in the press about this has almost been dictated by Wyness. There is far more to it. I am not sure who is briefing Collymore mind.. You think someone briefs him?!
Somebody has, yes.Not seen it, what Is he saying.
I have no regrets backing him. I'd have got behind whoever it was who came in. That's what supporters do.
It was all the stuff yesterday about running out of cash and the fact that we’ve already borrowed against the final parachute payments.I saw the Macquarrie thing, any ideas who else is lending.
Or he wants to put more money into the club but the Chinese authorities are preventing him ?
Or he wants to put more money into the club but the Chinese authorities are preventing him ?Not buying this one.
Well there's a surpriseOr he wants to put more money into the club but the Chinese authorities are preventing him ?Not buying this one.
See my post on the other thread where I explain why.Well there's a surpriseOr he wants to put more money into the club but the Chinese authorities are preventing him ?Not buying this one.
Or he wants to put more money into the club but the Chinese authorities are preventing him ?
Just got in and playing catch up on the day. Tweeting, instead of putting out a proper statement is embarrassing and amateurish. Lead from the front, stop feeling sorry for yourself, put a proper plan in place. He won't want to sell up due to his honour but I don't see any other way unless he has some rich non-Chinese mates who can pump dosh straight in and not have it marooned in China.
Well whichever way you look at it it’s bad.
So according to Collymore, Dr X has found a way to get £50m into the club.
I don't know what to think anymore.
We need something like that to keep us going this season, many people have reported (I've seen 65m)
If he can get this out of china either that was never the problem or they've been convinced to ease up to save face
I can't work out the connection with the apparent moves to sell shares in avfc to someone though?
Well either way, it's the first bit of good news for a while if true. I'm certainly not knocking it, just finding it hard to understand how we've gone from missing monthly payments to having 12 months worth of payments in one go.If papers are to be believed we owe about 10m in transfer fees 6m for fat mac, wage bill 5m a month and tax something similar, only buys us a 3 months max
Well either way, it's the first bit of good news for a while if true. I'm certainly not knocking it, just finding it hard to understand how we've gone from missing monthly payments to having 12 months worth of payments in one go.If papers are to be believed we owe about 10m in transfer fees 6m for fat mac, wage bill 5m a month and tax something similar, only buys us a 3 months max
Whilst we owe money out on transfers, it is reasonable to assume that we have some to come in as well.
Amarvi was one of the transfers reported as being factored, along with Sanchez. Other one we’d had early, and presumably spent, was reportedly Westwood.
i'm really not sure how long 50m is going to last. We lost 14.5m in the last accounts, that presumably including Tony's regular sub from china and the 33m parachute payment. So 18m would have to make up the shortfall in that for a start which leaves 32m. then take off the transfer fees owed and you're probably looking at limping towards September before it went tits-up again.. You'd hope the wage bill will have come down a million or so this month but we have other bills i'm guessing like paying for the pitch. Massive player firesale is the only way he's gonna do it unless he has a buyer.Well don’t forget revenue starts up again in August.
Scrambling around organising loans and staggering payments and selling off debts, it's fucking shambles.Tony is broke. The bloke is a fraud.
Personally I am not convinced that the notoriously hard nosed businessman that is Daniel Levy has suddenly turned into Father Christmas and is about to give us fifty million quid in cash up front for Jack Grealish. Which is how the media are making it sound. If anything our very public situation is a green light for people to take the piss with low offers for any of our players hoping we are desperate enough to accept.This was my worry. But the £50m injection may be a way of stalling the vultures and saying no fire sale, we want full value for our players.
i'm really not sure how long 50m is going to last. We lost 14.5m in the last accounts, that presumably including Tony's regular sub from china and the 33m parachute payment. So 18m would have to make up the shortfall in that for a start which leaves 32m. then take off the transfer fees owed and you're probably looking at limping towards September before it went tits-up again.. You'd hope the wage bill will have come down a million or so this month but we have other bills i'm guessing like paying for the pitch. Massive player firesale is the only way he's gonna do it unless he has a buyer.Well don’t forget revenue starts up again in August.
Scrambling around organising loans and staggering payments and selling off debts, it's fucking shambles.Tony is broke. The bloke is a fraud.
The really unfortunate thing in all this is we were within a year of finally getting a grip on the financial side.
But wasn't that primarily because Tom Fox did the obvious thing and negotiated relegation triggered wage reductions? (Though I was still surprised about the scale of reductions given some of the wages we seem to be paying)
The really unfortunate thing in all this is we were within a year of finally getting a grip on the financial side.
There's little point in reducing it one year, to then go on such a spending spree the year after that you almost cripple the club for good.
Personally I am not convinced that the notoriously hard nosed businessman that is Daniel Levy has suddenly turned into Father Christmas and is about to give us fifty million quid in cash up front for Jack Grealish. Which is how the media are making it sound. If anything our very public situation is a green light for people to take the piss with low offers for any of our players hoping we are desperate enough to accept.This was my worry. But the £50m injection may be a way of stalling the vultures and saying no fire sale, we want full value for our players.
Cash buys time, so it looks like we will be able to negotiate better than in Admin.
But every one knows our position and we vulnerable.
We still have FFP and cash does not solve that.Cash buys time, so it looks like we will be able to negotiate better than in Admin.
But every one knows our position and we vulnerable.
Everyone knows we fucked up but doesn't know our position.
If the owner has found another £50m, then there's nothing that we're aware of to stop him doing it again.
We still have FFP and cash does not solve that.Cash buys time, so it looks like we will be able to negotiate better than in Admin.
But every one knows our position and we vulnerable.
Everyone knows we fucked up but doesn't know our position.
If the owner has found another £50m, then there's nothing that we're aware of to stop him doing it again.
I'm struggling to reconcile the position of the accounts regarding losses and our current cashflow crisis. Something doesn't stack up. Are the accounts for the season just finished going to show something massively different to what was intimated only a few months ago.
I'm struggling to reconcile the position of the accounts regarding losses and our current cashflow crisis. Something doesn't stack up. Are the accounts for the season just finished going to show something massively different to what was intimated only a few months ago.They are 2 separate items although making losses absorbs cash.
I'm struggling to reconcile the position of the accounts regarding losses and our current cashflow crisis. Something doesn't stack up. Are the accounts for the season just finished going to show something massively different to what was intimated only a few months ago.They are 2 separate items although making losses absorbs cash.
FFP is concerned with the trading position and it is projected that our losses would be culmitively 80 million which we need to get down to 39 million so we have got to generate 40 million of revenue or savings.
Our cash position has Ben subsidized heavily before by Lerner and now by Xia, the cash crisis is because there was not enough money around to settle creditors.
The FFP situation is still to be addressed and which is why selling a Jack for example because we will make a large profit on the deal seems extremely likely.
That is what really took me by surprise too. FFP is one thing, the lack of operating capital and rumours of unpaid wages is a real shockI'm struggling to reconcile the position of the accounts regarding losses and our current cashflow crisis. Something doesn't stack up. Are the accounts for the season just finished going to show something massively different to what was intimated only a few months ago.They are 2 separate items although making losses absorbs cash.
FFP is concerned with the trading position and it is projected that our losses would be culmitively 80 million which we need to get down to 39 million so we have got to generate 40 million of revenue or savings.
Our cash position has Ben subsidized heavily before by Lerner and now by Xia, the cash crisis is because there was not enough money around to settle creditors.
The FFP situation is still to be addressed and which is why selling a Jack for example because we will make a large profit on the deal seems extremely likely.
I wasn't talking about FFP as that is a separate item, although linked.
What I meant was the cash position seems to be far worse than the loss declared in the accounts and the projected accounts for this season just finished.
What I don’t understand is why other teams that drop out of the PL don’t get caught by FFP such as the Baggies?!? Are they just smarter with the players contracts?!?
yo yo clubs are used to constructing player contracts accordingly.What I don’t understand is why other teams that drop out of the PL don’t get caught by FFP such as the Baggies?!? Are they just smarter with the players contracts?!?
Because they still have significant parachute money coming through as it is their first year. If, as we have done, they gamble all that money in the first two years and don't go up then they will be in exactly the same position. We are by far the highest profile club for this to happen to since Leeds.
What make me annoyed/so upset the most about all this is for the first time in a long time we are about to lose a load of players who we actually like, who care for the club and all that. It's soul destroying.
I would love to see us announce that Richards had agreed to mutually end his contract the fat useless waste of fucking space. The man makes me angry, because he clearly has no professional pride. McCormack at least went and tried to get games on loan and get back, but he's not going to play while Bruce is here so Steve Round needs to do his bloody job and find a way to move him on. Someone will pay 4 million, which would also take his wages off the books. Between them that would be the best past of 4 million saved a season for people that won't even kick a ball. There must be a target for wages, say 30 million a season, that we can reach and break even at.
I would love to see us announce that Richards had agreed to mutually end his contract the fat useless waste of fucking space. The man makes me angry, because he clearly has no professional pride. McCormack at least went and tried to get games on loan and get back, but he's not going to play while Bruce is here so Steve Round needs to do his bloody job and find a way to move him on. Someone will pay 4 million, which would also take his wages off the books. Between them that would be the best past of 4 million saved a season for people that won't even kick a ball. There must be a target for wages, say 30 million a season, that we can reach and break even at.
The Surely must come a point in the very near future where football clubs can sack players!You make a good point here. And I'm from a background of family and close friends who have long since fought for workers rights.
If I turned up and work and refused to use my computer i would be sacked within a few days. It's no diffrent to what richards and mc are doing to us. Basically refusing to stay in shape and train properly is gross misconduct and should be treated as such!
A player can refuse to play for his club to force through a transfer but the club cant do the same? Ridiculous and totally unfair to the club's and part of the reason football is fundamentally broken beyond repair
Is Richards refusing to train? I thought the issue was that it's turned out he's monumentally shite, no? He reminded me of Holman in a "doesn't know what he's doing on a football pitch" kinda way. Perhaps he should have been the one we shipped out Down Under.
Is Richards refusing to train? I thought the issue was that it's turned out he's monumentally shite, no? He reminded me of Holman in a "doesn't know what he's doing on a football pitch" kinda way. Perhaps he should have been the one we shipped out Down Under.
I believe that Richards problem is that he's massively overweight. He looks more like a nightclub bouncer than a footballer and clearly hasn't got 90 minutes in him.
I suspect that this is the reason why he wanted to play in the centre of defence rather than at full back, ie less running is required.
I believe the problem with richards is the knee. Can't remember the medical term but basically he can't train without aggravating it so can't get fit. Why he's hasn't been paid off is a good question. My guess is because we signed him knowing he had the problem and we can't get a pay-off
If Richards has a twitter account why not just tweet him asking him what the situation isIf anyone tweeted me asking about my work situation there is zero chance of me responding. I doubt he'll spill the beans.
Whoever signed Richards should be shot, sacked and then kicked in the cock (or fanny if it's a lady).
Has there ever been a football club with so much potential that has been run as badly as Villa have been for the best part of thirty years? I just hope that our next owners, whoever they may be have a touch of business acumen. Deep pockets wouldn't hurt either!
Whoever signed Richards should be shot, sacked and then kicked in the cock (or fanny if it's a lady).
That’s the nun of it, Richards is perfectly entitled to see out his contract, it was the ridiculous length of contract that is crippling us.
He was regularly on the training photos through the season so that suggests he was fit but like Gabby it seemed he was not made available to the u23 side.
You’d have thought at some point out local press might have asked the question in a weekly press conference of what was Micah’s situation.
Whoever signed Richards should be shot, sacked and then kicked in the cock (or fanny if it's a lady).
That’s the nun of it, Richards is perfectly entitled to see out his contract, it was the ridiculous length of contract that is crippling us.
He was regularly on the training photos through the season so that suggests he was fit but like Gabby it seemed he was not made available to the u23 side.
You’d have thought at some point out local press might have asked the question in a weekly press conference of what was Micah’s situation.
got into bad habits
Has there ever been a football club with so much potential that has been run as badly as Villa have been for the best part of thirty years? I just hope that our next owners, whoever they may be have a touch of business acumen. Deep pockets wouldn't hurt either!
I think Doug got it right and spent a few quid between 1987 and 2002. SGT, BFR, Brian Little and even Gregory to an extent were all inspired appointments and he backed them with money. After that SGT and DOL had to try to do everything on the cheap. Obviously we want the next owner to have deep pockets but with FFP even that won't guarantee success.
Aston Villa will hold crunch talks over their financial crisis this week, with the Championship club under pressure to slash their wage bill by up to £15m.
Villa have staved off the imminent threat of administration but are still facing further turmoil as they attempt to fall in line with Financial Fair Play rules.
It can be revealed that later this month the troubled Midlanders will be hit with another £4.5m bill – comprising tax and wages - which beleaguered owner Dr Tony Xia must pay or risk the threat of another winding-up order.
Xia, the Chinese businessman, secured a number of loans late last week to save Villa from possible administration, reaching an agreement with HMRC, but the club’s financial worries are mounting.
Villa want to drastically cut their £45m wage bill this summer to avoid the prospect of a fine or even transfer embargo, increasing uncertainty over the futures of players including Jack Grealish and James Chester.
Club chiefs want it significantly lowered to around £30m and, ideally, would prefer to offload fringe players such as Micah Richards, Ross McCormack and Henri Lansbury.
Next season’s budget and the summer strategy will be discussed in a meeting on Monday with technical director Steve Round, chief commercial officer Luke Organ, director Tracy Gu and executive assistant Rongtian He.
Steve Bruce, the manager, will not be present at the summit in London as he is still on holiday but his future remains uncertain due to the club’s dire finances.
Bruce could be an option for Leeds United if they fail to lure Marcelo Bielsa, while there are many Villa supporters who believe he should be sacked after failing to reach the Premier League.
A more pressing dilemma for Xia is the £4.5m bill expected on or around June 22, though some sources insist there is now enough cash to tide the club over until next month.
It is also understood that Xia is adamant the club will not be sold, while they are adopting a hardline stance on the future of Grealish.
The homegrown attacker is on the radar of Tottenham Hotspur and Leicester City but Villa will demand a transfer fee over £30m.
Keith Wyness, the chief executive, could have his future resolved this week after he was suspended on Tuesday.
Wyness and Xia clashed over the club’s future plans and it is thought unlikely the former will be returning.
Villa are preparing for a third season in the Championship after losing to Fulham in last month’s play-off final.
I don’t think having an owner who pumps money in to make up for shortfalls is the answer really. Creating a sustainable structure where we don’t live beyond our means and having a manager who will focus on developing our own young players would be a better way forward.This for me. It may sound idealistic but fuck it we have tried the hopelessly greedy route and failed miserably.
Cobbling loans together.Careful Paulie, I got singled out for that?
Just like an actual billionaire would do.
Absolute fucking chancer.
But selling the best players may satisfy the FFP ruling but it doesn't solve the weekly/monthly cash flow issues. If we sold Jack for £30m it only improves the balance sheet. We'd still have a monthly tax/wage bill that seems to be the overriding issue.
Imagine how the Italian or South American Ultras would react to players like McCormack and Richards stinking out their clubs. I would have expected them to have found alternative clubs by now.
I'd be tempted to hold fire on any quick sales. Let's just say by Xmas we're in the hunt. If we get promoted we may get hit by FFP restrictions but the likelihood is a fine at worse. As we've seen in other cases it's not a business threatening amount. The league next year does not look that strong. IF we need to sell we have January as a back up if the league form gives us no hope. I'd be more foccused at trying to shift the big earners than selling our best players for under market value.
I think clubs would take Lansbury, Hogan and Taylor off our hands. They've still got a few years left him them at this level. Wasn't there another club interested in Lansbury before he came here?
I think clubs would take Lansbury, Hogan and Taylor off our hands. They've still got a few years left him them at this level. Wasn't there another club interested in Lansbury before he came here?
well if the wages are correct of 30-40k week would you go to say Norwich for 15k if you were any of them? Trouble is the clubs who would want them, can't afford them.
I think clubs would take Lansbury, Hogan and Taylor off our hands. They've still got a few years left him them at this level. Wasn't there another club interested in Lansbury before he came here?
well if the wages are correct of 30-40k week would you go to say Norwich for 15k if you were any of them? Trouble is the clubs who would want them, can't afford them.
That's if the wages are correct. You might get a Stoke or Swansea possibly willing to pay it. I can imagine Taylor being on that because he came from a Premier League club. Not sure about Lansbury or Hogan but who knows?
I think clubs would take Lansbury, Hogan and Taylor off our hands. They've still got a few years left him them at this level. Wasn't there another club interested in Lansbury before he came here?
well if the wages are correct of 30-40k week would you go to say Norwich for 15k if you were any of them? Trouble is the clubs who would want them, can't afford them.
That's if the wages are correct. You might get a Stoke or Swansea possibly willing to pay it. I can imagine Taylor being on that because he came from a Premier League club. Not sure about Lansbury or Hogan but who knows?
I think clubs would take Lansbury, Hogan and Taylor off our hands. They've still got a few years left him them at this level. Wasn't there another club interested in Lansbury before he came here?
well if the wages are correct of 30-40k week would you go to say Norwich for 15k if you were any of them? Trouble is the clubs who would want them, can't afford them.
That's if the wages are correct. You might get a Stoke or Swansea possibly willing to pay it. I can imagine Taylor being on that because he came from a Premier League club. Not sure about Lansbury or Hogan but who knows?
There was a quote the other day that Hogan's wages are "eye-watering". I'd be surprised if he was on less than £50K a week. People who go for £10m+ are rarely on less than that, and there were rumours that West Ham were sniffing around. I think we've got very little chance of getting rid of him personally.
I think clubs would take Lansbury, Hogan and Taylor off our hands. They've still got a few years left him them at this level. Wasn't there another club interested in Lansbury before he came here?
well if the wages are correct of 30-40k week would you go to say Norwich for 15k if you were any of them? Trouble is the clubs who would want them, can't afford them.
That's if the wages are correct. You might get a Stoke or Swansea possibly willing to pay it. I can imagine Taylor being on that because he came from a Premier League club. Not sure about Lansbury or Hogan but who knows?
There was a quote the other day that Hogan's wages are "eye-watering". I'd be surprised if he was on less than £50K a week. People who go for £10m+ are rarely on less than that, and there were rumours that West Ham were sniffing around. I think we've got very little chance of getting rid of him personally.
I think people need to get realistic on who we can sell really. There's not a hope in hell we can sell the likes of richards. He's on massive wages and even if it made sense to pay up the final year of his contract, we may not have the cash flow to do it.
Not a fucking hope in hell of finding a club that can afford them
McCormack
Hogan
Taylor
Lansbury
Yep.End of the day our wage bill is currently between 35-45m a year if you believe the most pessimistic papers. I reckon its probably about 37m so you have so say either a)Tony has been using the wages bill to siphon off money to a chinese bank account or b) we have 1 or 2 players on 200,000 a week or more likely c) the average is around the 25,000 a week mark. Now the problem we have is if you're a lansbury on 30k a week (i really hope the fuckwits aren't paying him more than that) then if a club comes in and offers 23k a week to him then over the length of his remaining contact he's losing a cool million to leave. At 27 if i was lansbury, i'd think twice about leaving.
Yep.End of the day our wage bill is currently between 35-45m a year if you believe the most pessimistic papers. I reckon its probably about 37m so you have so say either a)Tony has been using the wages bill to siphon off money to a chinese bank account or b) we have 1 or 2 players on 200,000 a week or more likely c) the average is around the 25,000 a week mark. Now the problem we have is if you're a lansbury on 30k a week (i really hope the fuckwits aren't paying him more than that) then if a club comes in and offers 23k a week to him then over the length of his remaining contact he's losing a cool million to leave. At 27 if i was lansbury, i'd think twice about leaving.
The season 16/17, the club wage bill totalled near as damn it £62m. I don't know why anyone imagines that it would've been a fat lot less for 17/18.
Yep.End of the day our wage bill is currently between 35-45m a year if you believe the most pessimistic papers. I reckon its probably about 37m so you have so say either a)Tony has been using the wages bill to siphon off money to a chinese bank account or b) we have 1 or 2 players on 200,000 a week or more likely c) the average is around the 25,000 a week mark. Now the problem we have is if you're a lansbury on 30k a week (i really hope the fuckwits aren't paying him more than that) then if a club comes in and offers 23k a week to him then over the length of his remaining contact he's losing a cool million to leave. At 27 if i was lansbury, i'd think twice about leaving.
The season 16/17, the club wage bill totalled near as damn it £62m. I don't know why anyone imagines that it would've been a fat lot less for 17/18.
that was including the tax i think. It included all our signings apart from elmo and Whelan and the loans and the likes of Terry and Samba, so there was obviously people we paid with that sum that had left by the time the accounts ended like Baker. Looking at this summer we've lost Terry, Gollini, Gabby, Hutton, Samba, Bunn, Grabban, Snodgrass, Johnstone, Tuenzebe, onamah. On 20k a week on average i make that 10m recovered plus tax. plus i guess gill and some of the other garde signings if they've left as well.
Who did Garde sign?
Thanks, that’s what I thought.Who did Garde sign?
Literally no one ..we tied to get a keeper in but his permit got rejected other than that the Board seeing that relegation was inevitable gave up
I wouldn’t point to Samba as a profligate signing. It was very much bolstering the squad a bit and I imagine he wasn’t paid an awful lot relatively.
depending on who you believe and where you read it average Championship wages are somewhere between 4-8k a week, our average is 25-30k
anyone thinking that the likes of Hourahine, Barny, Lansbury, Taylor, Samba, Elmo, Whelan are going to get clubs to buy them then pay the big wages are living in a dream world
they were all pretty much below average to piss poor with a few bright spots here and there
no way we are getting rid of any of them
add to that the even bigger earners, Richards, Hogan, Mcormac and you see why we are in shit street, not because we have overspent but because we have overspent on absolute shit that we can't get any money back for
you probably couldn't even give any of the above away on the wages they are on
it's undefendable from Xia, Wyness and Bruce they are all culpable
Imagine how the Italian or South American Ultras would react to players like McCormack and Richards stinking out their clubs. I would have expected them to have found alternative clubs by now.
In a way you'd wonder, as Bruce said himself - "the club sells itself", so why the need to offer new players huge increases on what they're on?
In a way you'd wonder, as Bruce said himself - "the club sells itself", so why the need to offer new players huge increases on what they're on?
Exactly story was Houriane was on 7k at Barnsley and gave him 30k ..I don't remember a bidding war at the time so how did we get conned Into that ..
Lansbury the same 35k ..McCormack who where we competing with to justify the wages ..
It's still very much a seller's market. McCormack was in demand because in the previous 5 seasons in the Championship, in four of them he'd scored 18, 28, 17 and 21 goals. Somebody with a record like that isn't going to accept a worse deal than the one he has. It would take a collective effort from all teams to do something about salaries.
Shelvey, huh, isn't he the best English passer of the ball or something?
More like another former depilated Noocassil, temperamental character, that Ketsbaia chap.
In a way you'd wonder, as Bruce said himself - "the club sells itself", so why the need to offer new players huge increases on what they're on?
Exactly story was Houriane was on 7k at Barnsley and gave him 30k ..I don't remember a bidding war at the time so how did we get conned Into that ..
Lansbury the same 35k ..McCormack who where we competing with to justify the wages ..
In a way you'd wonder, as Bruce said himself - "the club sells itself", so why the need to offer new players huge increases on what they're on?
Exactly story was Houriane was on 7k at Barnsley and gave him 30k ..I don't remember a bidding war at the time so how did we get conned Into that ..
Lansbury the same 35k ..McCormack who where we competing with to justify the wages ..
Lansbury and Hourihane both had 6 months in their deals so were cheap fee wise and would have been able to command big wages/signing on fees in the Summer.. Similarly you have to pay them atleast a comparable rate to the other players when you’ve got so many on Premier League money.
We have definitely over spent but a lot of it is due to the change in manager and coaching staff every 6 months, players the best manager doesn’t rate on big money and depleting value. Our scouting has been shite since 2006, we rarely find value - Benteke was the last good find I can remember.
Under MON our best players cost big fees at the time.
Before that you’re going back to DOL years and the likes of Laursen and Bouma for a period of good value in the market.
I guess the news about that American buyer on the back page of the Times last week was bullshit?
I guess the news about that American buyer on the back page of the Times last week was bullshit?
Xia has no intention of selling up.
if that's the case I think we are in serious trouble - we need experienced administrators who can stabilise the club and to ensure we have a future - I'm not convinced Xia has the money or know how to get us out the mess he created - I don't care if he doesn't want to lose face - right now he is staring at a massive loss -I guess the news about that American buyer on the back page of the Times last week was bullshit?
Xia has no intention of selling up.
In a way you'd wonder, as Bruce said himself - "the club sells itself", so why the need to offer new players huge increases on what they're on?
Exactly story was Houriane was on 7k at Barnsley and gave him 30k ..I don't remember a bidding war at the time so how did we get conned Into that ..
Lansbury the same 35k ..McCormack who where we competing with to justify the wages ..
Lansbury and Hourihane both had 6 months in their deals so were cheap fee wise and would have been able to command big wages/signing on fees in the Summer.. Similarly you have to pay them atleast a comparable rate to the other players when you’ve got so many on Premier League money.
We have definitely over spent but a lot of it is due to the change in manager and coaching staff every 6 months, players the best manager doesn’t rate on big money and depleting value. Our scouting has been shite since 2006, we rarely find value - Benteke was the last good find I can remember.
Under MON our best players cost big fees at the time.
Before that you’re going back to DOL years and the likes of Laursen and Bouma for a period of good value in the market.
Agenda for tomorrow
Item 1 - 2018-19 Budgets - 5 minutes.
First thing we need is a statement telling us what the hell is going on and what they intend to do to repair the damage they have done to our 144 year old club. And can they please employ a proper interpreter who can make sure it's grammatically correct and we can make bloody sense of it!I guess the news about that American buyer on the back page of the Times last week was bullshit?
Xia has no intention of selling up.
Well he needs to do a proper bloody job then.
Agenda for tomorrow
Item 1 - 2018-19 Budgets - 5 minutes.
That long?
I still like and trust Dr Tony.Dr?
And I'm just waiting to see where we go.
If I'm upset about anyone (,barring SuperRoss) it's Steve Bruce so I personally hope he goes quickly and we rebuild in a more long-term fashion.
Agenda for tomorrow
Item 1 - 2018-19 Budgets - 5 minutes.
Deep down we all must have expected this. We've lived through it under Lerner. Living beyond our means. Reckless spending, which then came back to haunt us. It's only by the grace of McGrath that Lerner didn't ruin us, and had we gone down sooner and he hadn't found a buyer, he'd have got us to this point too.
Tony's come in and done exactly the same thing and if anything, with even more reckless abandon and even less understanding of running a football club. We all buy into the vision. We get caught up in the spending sprees, the excitement of spending like we have an endless pot of cash. We questionned signing people like Curtis Davies for 10 mill, Coker for 8, during the Lerner years. I don't think we've ever spent as ludicrously as we did in the Championship, one Championship standard players. In what logical world should Ross McCormack cost as much as he did? Or Hogan?
I got excited. Many of us got excited. But whilst the majority of us probably repressed the reality to the back of our minds (I did), the crippling reality is happening now. We're now seeing just what happens if you spend like this in the Championship, firing out transfer fees and Wages that we realistically would struggle to cover with our running costs in the Premiership never mind the second tier. We gambled big on Champions League football under Lerner. We lost the gamble. We gambled again under Tony. We lost. And our approach to managerial appointments seems to be persistently aimed at short term thinking.
Deep down we all must have expected this. We've lived through it under Lerner. Living beyond our means. Reckless spending, which then came back to haunt us. It's only by the grace of McGrath that Lerner didn't ruin us, and had we gone down sooner and he hadn't found a buyer, he'd have got us to this point too.
Tony's come in and done exactly the same thing and if anything, with even more reckless abandon and even less understanding of running a football club. We all buy into the vision. We get caught up in the spending sprees, the excitement of spending like we have an endless pot of cash. We questionned signing people like Curtis Davies for 10 mill, Coker for 8, during the Lerner years. I don't think we've ever spent as ludicrously as we did in the Championship, one Championship standard players. In what logical world should Ross McCormack cost as much as he did? Or Hogan?
I got excited. Many of us got excited. But whilst the majority of us probably repressed the reality to the back of our minds (I did), the crippling reality is happening now. We're now seeing just what happens if you spend like this in the Championship, firing out transfer fees and Wages that we realistically would struggle to cover with our running costs in the Premiership never mind the second tier. We gambled big on Champions League football under Lerner. We lost the gamble. We gambled again under Tony. We lost. And our approach to managerial appointments seems to be persistently aimed at short term thinking.
I still like and trust Dr Tony.
And I'm just waiting to see where we go.
If I'm upset about anyone (,barring SuperRoss) it's Steve Bruce so I personally hope he goes quickly and we rebuild in a more long-term fashion.
Deep down we all must have expected this. We've lived through it under Lerner. Living beyond our means. Reckless spending, which then came back to haunt us. It's only by the grace of McGrath that Lerner didn't ruin us, and had we gone down sooner and he hadn't found a buyer, he'd have got us to this point too.
Tony's come in and done exactly the same thing and if anything, with even more reckless abandon and even less understanding of running a football club. We all buy into the vision. We get caught up in the spending sprees, the excitement of spending like we have an endless pot of cash. We questionned signing people like Curtis Davies for 10 mill, Coker for 8, during the Lerner years. I don't think we've ever spent as ludicrously as we did in the Championship, one Championship standard players. In what logical world should Ross McCormack cost as much as he did? Or Hogan?
I got excited. Many of us got excited. But whilst the majority of us probably repressed the reality to the back of our minds (I did), the crippling reality is happening now. We're now seeing just what happens if you spend like this in the Championship, firing out transfer fees and Wages that we realistically would struggle to cover with our running costs in the Premiership never mind the second tier. We gambled big on Champions League football under Lerner. We lost the gamble. We gambled again under Tony. We lost. And our approach to managerial appointments seems to be persistently aimed at short term thinking.
So your saying.. third time lucky!? ;-)
Well summed up!!
Deep down we all must have expected this. We've lived through it under Lerner. Living beyond our means. Reckless spending, which then came back to haunt us. It's only by the grace of McGrath that Lerner didn't ruin us, and had we gone down sooner and he hadn't found a buyer, he'd have got us to this point too.
Tony's come in and done exactly the same thing and if anything, with even more reckless abandon and even less understanding of running a football club. We all buy into the vision. We get caught up in the spending sprees, the excitement of spending like we have an endless pot of cash. We questionned signing people like Curtis Davies for 10 mill, Coker for 8, during the Lerner years. I don't think we've ever spent as ludicrously as we did in the Championship, one Championship standard players. In what logical world should Ross McCormack cost as much as he did? Or Hogan?
I got excited. Many of us got excited. But whilst the majority of us probably repressed the reality to the back of our minds (I did), the crippling reality is happening now. We're now seeing just what happens if you spend like this in the Championship, firing out transfer fees and Wages that we realistically would struggle to cover with our running costs in the Premiership never mind the second tier. We gambled big on Champions League football under Lerner. We lost the gamble. We gambled again under Tony. We lost. And our approach to managerial appointments seems to be persistently aimed at short term thinking.
So your saying.. third time lucky!? ;-)
Well summed up!!
Got to say....I wasnt expecting this. I thought we spent a lot first year but imagined the value of the squad was going up accordingly. I also presumed the parachute payments and money from sales would more than cover this. I thought the wage bill was going to be reduced with all of the premiership players we let go and the new lads coming from the championship on lower wages. I realised we were spending alot on loan player wages but no biggy - if we dont go up we just send them back. Besides, a few of our decent earners are out on loan to offset a portion of this surely.
Even when FFP starting looming i thought surely we can offload one or two players (not our star players) and balance the books
Im completely naive but I trusted Xia and Wyness and thought for the first time in donkeys years we were being run properly. When the said they had aplan for both eventualities, i believed them.
Now that the sheer level of incompetence and fuckwittery is laid bare for us all to see, I cant believe many people can hand on heart say "i knew this would happen" even with the vocal minority airing doubts over Dr T
The Chinese authorities haven't prevented him from taking his money out of the country.
The Chinese authorities haven't prevented him from taking his money out of the country.
Oh. I thought I'd read that there was now a limit on how much money could be moved from China. Was that a false rumour?
Aston Villa Football Club can confirm that Keith Wyness has now left the Club.
The Club notes the media speculation relating to Keith’s departure and prospective legal proceedings.
The Club will be happy to defend legal proceedings if called on to do so and does not propose to comment further at this time.
Simon Jordan talking very eloquently about the mess at Villa. He's suggesting things aren't as bad as the media make out in respect to the tax bills and finding money. He thinks it will all be quite easy for a club like Villa to sort all this out.
I can’t work Simon Jordan out. On one hand he’s very pro-Villa and on social media he regularly slags our rivals off. On the other hand I wonder why he does it. He’s wealthy but does he have the kind of wealth that would enable him to become involved at Villa? Or is he another chancer, a vulture circling a carcass ready to snap us up for a pittance if the unthinkable happens?
He was pretty high profile at Palace but he strikes me as a chancer with his eye on the next opportunity.
I can’t work Simon Jordan out. On one hand he’s very pro-Villa and on social media he regularly slags our rivals off. On the other hand I wonder why he does it. He’s wealthy but does he have the kind of wealth that would enable him to become involved at Villa? Or is he another chancer, a vulture circling a carcass ready to snap us up for a pittance if the unthinkable happens?
He was pretty high profile at Palace but he strikes me as a chancer with his eye on the next opportunity.
Jordan's Wikipedia page makes interesting reading, regarding his time at Crystal Palace. Cash flow problems and administration, but also securing the future of the club by arranging the purchase of the ground from the previous chairman. Amongst the highlights are overseeing Steve Bruce's 'resignation' which ended up in court
I can’t work Simon Jordan out. On one hand he’s very pro-Villa and on social media he regularly slags our rivals off. On the other hand I wonder why he does it. He’s wealthy but does he have the kind of wealth that would enable him to become involved at Villa? Or is he another chancer, a vulture circling a carcass ready to snap us up for a pittance if the unthinkable happens?
He was pretty high profile at Palace but he strikes me as a chancer with his eye on the next opportunity.
Jordan's Wikipedia page makes interesting reading, regarding his time at Crystal Palace. Cash flow problems and administration, but also securing the future of the club by arranging the purchase of the ground from the previous chairman. Amongst the highlights are overseeing Steve Bruce's 'resignation' which ended up in court
Strange how the cash stopped right around the play off final defeat though.....amazing how the government let the money come through for the last 2 years. Maybe there was enough for funding of the gamble, when we got defeated the gambler stopped chasing his losses?
If Axia doesn’t have any money we will surely be granted some leeway with regards to financial penalties etc? I mean it is the responsibility of the FA to ensure that owners are ‘fit and proper’ after all?
Still no proper, meaningful statement then?
[/quote
No and I don’t think there will be one
Whatever he says does it really matter?
Nothing would appease the fans, everything would be second guessed. He has no respect here anymore. If it wasn't so important he'd be a laughing stock.
The phoney needs to disappear but I can't see anyone coming in for us anytime soon so we are stuck with a gambler with no idea and his yes men. Oh and Steve Round and his football phillosophy, whatever the fuck that means.
Whatever he says does it really matter?
Nothing would appease the fans, everything would be second guessed. He has no respect here anymore. If it wasn't so important he'd be a laughing stock.
The phoney needs to disappear but I can't see anyone coming in for us anytime soon so we are stuck with a gambler with no idea and his yes men. Oh and Steve Round and his football phillosophy, whatever the fuck that means.
It matters greatly AJ. I want to know if we are looking for another Manager, will we have a budget to strengthen the side, is the ambition promotion or top ten, or survival. I want to know if the club is being restructured, are people's jobs safe, is Xia selling the club or looking for major/minor investment, what is the plan, should we be as worried as the press would have us believe? I agree that he has little to no credit left but showing some leadership might regain him some. Is he reviewing Round's position? So many questions but so little leadership.
Percy is speculating and painting as shit a picture as possible...I thought he liked us.
I searched this person ("Dr. Tony Xia", real name Xia Jiantong 夏建统) a bit. Be ware, he seems to be a known fraud. He claims to be a Harvard PhD and even "professor", and used that to obtain a lot of funding for his company. But actually he just obtained Master's degree there. His PhD career is on a permanent leave. He also claimed to be hired into a world-class company as vice president early in his career, which is nonsense (he registered the company himself). Also he's known to cheat and lie a lot to everybody around him, e.g. constantly betraying his ex wife who "cut relation with parents, had 4 abortions, and worked illegally when still a student" to support his Master's career, promising great compensations for people he hired and never fulfilling them etc. Detailed information(widely reported circa 2009) is available at http://www.xys.org/dajia/xiajt.html, for anybody who can read Chinese.
Watch out Villa fans. Although somebody who bluffs a lot is not necessarily bad businessman, this guy seems to have some fundamental moral issues and God knows what he's going to do with Villa.
You not seen Dave's sticky?
Percy is speculating and painting as shit a picture as possible...I thought he liked us.
Reports yesterday said it's not that bad and that Mr Harvey will be visiting other clubs- for what end I am not entirely sure.
Reports yesterday said it's not that bad and that Mr Harvey will be visiting other clubs- for what end I am not entirely sure.
In a brief statement, the league confirmed they would be offering "practical assistance, where appropriate" as Villa look to fight their way through a financial storm.
In a brief statement, the league confirmed they would be offering "practical assistance, where appropriate" as Villa look to fight their way through a financial storm.
If they want to be helpful, they can start by giving us a bye into the PL. Our fixtures for 18/19 will just be reclassified as friendlies.
I 'm sure I read something recently that suggested Forest were the only Championship club not running any debt
Reports yesterday said it's not that bad and that Mr Harvey will be visiting other clubs- for what end I am not entirely sure.
See that's what I want to read more of, a bit of stiff upper lip from us all.
I think I might explode with joy if we turn it around next season and our young lads stick all the jibes right down the throat of everyone who has been taking the piss.
When are the useless cowards that run this great club going to update the fans with a proper statement?? Pathetic!
When are the useless cowards that run this great club going to update the fans with a proper statement?? Pathetic!
What do you want them to say though? For me the only statement they need to make is on the manager, but only if they've made a decision.
When are the useless cowards that run this great club going to update the fans with a proper statement?? Pathetic!
What do you want them to say though? For me the only statement they need to make is on the manager, but only if they've made a decision.
There's seriously nothing else that you would like to know Paul? I find that very surprising as I'd like to put them under the microscope.
When are the useless cowards that run this great club going to update the fans with a proper statement?? Pathetic!
What do you want them to say though? For me the only statement they need to make is on the manager, but only if they've made a decision.
Well, the club has been portrayed as going through a massive financial crisis.When are the useless cowards that run this great club going to update the fans with a proper statement?? Pathetic!
What do you want them to say though? For me the only statement they need to make is on the manager, but only if they've made a decision.
When are the useless cowards that run this great club going to update the fans with a proper statement?? Pathetic!
What do you want them to say though? For me the only statement they need to make is on the manager, but only if they've made a decision.
The problem with sharing a plan may be the ability of others to undermine it as soon as they see it.
Sometimes it is best to try and keep things quiet. Everyone already thinks they can sign our best players for peanuts - what else do we want to tell them?
What we know is that there is a mess they're trying to clear up - I honestly don't know what more they can say. They are currently gradually creating an aura of it being solvable, which can only be good for us, & a detailed staement could derail that in any number of ways.
Right now the not knowing is hard, but I would rather they shut up and get on with it.
I don't see the point in making a statement on Bruce's future. As we speak, he's our manager. If anything changes, we'll know about it.
I don't see the point in making a statement on Bruce's future. As we speak, he's our manager. If anything changes, we'll know about it.
The owner came out with a statement after the final with comments such as sustainable future etc. which would give rise to fans' thoughts on cost cutting and a change in strategy. The main costs are related to players and the coaching/management team, so an update on the statement to clarify the positions should be expected to stop rumours, particularly after the financial issues last week.
I don't see the point in making a statement on Bruce's future. As we speak, he's our manager. If anything changes, we'll know about it.
The owner came out with a statement after the final with comments such as sustainable future etc. which would give rise to fans' thoughts on cost cutting and a change in strategy. The main costs are related to players and the coaching/management team, so an update on the statement to clarify the positions should be expected to stop rumours, particularly after the financial issues last week.
Some of the coaching team and players have gone anyway. If they're not making a change on the managerial front, then I don't see why they should come out and say it until the situation changes. Just my view anyway.
An interesting snippet from Daniel Ivery on SHA
"Meanwhile, In China...
Tony Xia has finally relinquished control of one of his listed companies, Recon Cable - and they've almost gone bust.
[finance.sina.com.cn]
House of cards falling apart... "
The Percy article is sensationalism of the highest scale. He even tweeted after a figure of £40m and said that can be a mixture of sponsorship, saved wages, sell fee's.
Does sound as dramatic though does it. Unfortunately Villa in crisis is all they want to peddle.
We are a massive target for the media and let's be honest, not a single one of them knows sod all.
The Percy article is sensationalism of the highest scale. He even tweeted after a figure of £40m and said that can be a mixture of sponsorship, saved wages, sell fee's.
Does sound as dramatic though does it. Unfortunately Villa in crisis is all they want to peddle.
We are a massive target for the media and let's be honest, not a single one of them knows sod all.
The Percy article is sensationalism of the highest scale. He even tweeted after a figure of £40m and said that can be a mixture of sponsorship, saved wages, sell fee's.
Does sound as dramatic though does it. Unfortunately Villa in crisis is all they want to peddle.
We are a massive target for the media and let's be honest, not a single one of them knows sod all.
You mean the story hasn't moved on?! Well I am shocked.
The Percy article is sensationalism of the highest scale. He even tweeted after a figure of £40m and said that can be a mixture of sponsorship, saved wages, sell fee's.
Does sound as dramatic though does it. Unfortunately Villa in crisis is all they want to peddle.
We are a massive target for the media and let's be honest, not a single one of them knows sod all.
I’m not sure that the media are having a field day, certainly not the national media. Maybe it’s the World Cup but I don’t see our plight plastered all over the media. Maybe if/when we miss another payment it might gain some momentum but I think we’ve been treated fairly leniently by the press. In fact, I’m disappointed that nobody seems to be investigating Xia’s background a bit more.
The Percy article is sensationalism of the highest scale. He even tweeted after a figure of £40m and said that can be a mixture of sponsorship, saved wages, sell fee's.
Does sound as dramatic though does it. Unfortunately Villa in crisis is all they want to peddle.
We are a massive target for the media and let's be honest, not a single one of them knows sod all.
I’m not sure that the media are having a field day, certainly not the national media. Maybe it’s the World Cup but I don’t see our plight plastered all over the media. Maybe if/when we miss another payment it might gain some momentum but I think we’ve been treated fairly leniently by the press. In fact, I’m disappointed that nobody seems to be investigating Xia’s background a bit more.
I agree
we like to think we are still important and interesting nationaly
but in truth no one gives a flying fuck about the Villa anymore apart from the local neighbors and a few geordies
Why's he clearly not a billionaire?
Why's he clearly not a billionaire?
Because he's only got £900,000,000.*
*Birmingham Post Rich List
Why's he clearly not a billionaire?
Because he's only got £900,000,000.*
*Birmingham Post Rich List
$
The days of newspapers is over. Radio and television is not far behind. This is where opinion is formed, evaluated and acted upon, the social media. I am a complete museum piece but even I can find out what is really happening with this thing I have between my legs.
Stop sniggering at the back. I mean my tablet. My Gary Abblett.
Why's he clearly not a billionaire?
Because he's only got £900,000,000.*
*Birmingham Post Rich List
$
No, GBP. Saying that, they've listed him this year at £1bn so maybe for once Ads is right.
The Meaning Evil this week says he's only worth £990m so Ads could be back to his usual form.
What I will say is I'm still struggling to see or find any evidence to back up his wealth.
And you won’t, there is no disclosure requirement in China, I find it hard to understand that someone with the resources of a Billionare would allow his most High Profile business to have a winding up petition slapped on it by the UK Government.Why's he clearly not a billionaire?
Because he's only got £900,000,000.*
*Birmingham Post Rich List
$
No, GBP. Saying that, they've listed him this year at £1bn so maybe for once Ads is right.
The Meaning Evil this week says he's only worth £990m so Ads could be back to his usual form.
What I will say is I'm still struggling to see or find any evidence to back up his wealth.
Why's he clearly not a billionaire?
Because he's only got £900,000,000.*
*Birmingham Post Rich List
$
No, GBP. Saying that, they've listed him this year at £1bn so maybe for once Ads is right.
The Meaning Evil this week says he's only worth £990m so Ads could be back to his usual form.
What I will say is I'm still struggling to see or find any evidence to back up his wealth.
There was no currency defined in the original comments. He is a billionaire somewhere, even it is in yuan (God help us if it is).
An interesting snippet from Daniel Ivery on SHA
"Meanwhile, In China...
Tony Xia has finally relinquished control of one of his listed companies, Recon Cable - and they've almost gone bust.
[finance.sina.com.cn]
House of cards falling apart... "
The days of newspapers is over. Radio and television is not far behind. This is where opinion is formed, evaluated and acted upon, the social media. I am a complete museum piece but even I can find out what is really happening with this thing I have between my legs.
Stop sniggering at the back. I mean my tablet. My Gary Abblett.
The days of newspapers is over. Radio and television is not far behind. This is where opinion is formed, evaluated and acted upon, the social media. I am a complete museum piece but even I can find out what is really happening with this thing I have between my legs.
Stop sniggering at the back. I mean my tablet. My Gary Abblett.
I thought you were describing a dongle.
I'd have thought the daily papers still sell. Radio and TV will be around for a long time yet.
I'm surprised people still buy the likes of the Meaning Evil and Express and Star though.
I'd have thought the daily papers still sell. Radio and TV will be around for a long time yet.
I'm surprised people still buy the likes of the Meaning Evil and Express and Star though.
National papers still sell because, I think, people like artefacts. See the re-emergence of double-sleeved vinyl albums for example, or the increase in physical book sales.
With TV, however, it's on its way out. Younger members of my family don't watch tv like we did growing up - all sat around on a Sunday night watching Quantum Leap or something. They consume tv through their laptops/phones/tablets using on demand systems like Netflix, iplayer, Prime, and so on. The only time people across generations gather to watch the telly now is when there are sporting events on.
I have no faith in Xia. None whatsoever.It's easy to arrive at that conclusion after recent events, Ron; not many would disagree.
I can't imagine he bought the club as a vanity project.Why not? - with vast amounts of money, or delusion, it's easy to see a football club as just another fashion accoutrement.
So how did he think he was going to make money?Promotion before the parachute payments run out and the cash-heaven of the Prem.
It's clear Xia is a chancer with no money left....
Newspapers still sell because they don't have a battery and you don't have to be connected to the internet to use them. They also have no glare and less intrusive adverts. I don't buy them often but if I do it tends to be the Independant or Times, in which I don't detect a clear political stance as this gets on my tits, a bit like some of the posts on here. And the tabloids that just talk about reality TV, I wouldn't wipe my arse on.
And then you read this which seems to support his claims of wealth.
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.hollywoodreporter.com/amp/news/chinas-recon-group-acquires-51-percent-millennium-films-official-978969?source=images
But then this.
https://uk.mobile.reuters.com/article/amp/idUKKCN1BB0KV
Billionaires do not fail to make month-end PAYE payments.
Then there's this article, which points out that Chinese currency controls are getting loser, not tighter.
https://supchina.com/2018/06/09/the-decline-of-aston-villa-under-its-enigmatic-chinese-owner/
There were those of us who were suspicious of his wealth when he rocked up, and unfortunately, it's hard to see how, with the club linked with threats of winding up orders, he can possibly have the wealth he claims he has.
We are in financial meltdown, if Xia was anywhere near as wealthy as some seem to think he is, we wouldn't have got anywhere near this utter mess.
Only we could out Carson Carson.
Only we could out Carson Carson.Bizarre comment, really.
The company address is :
Add:19F, Tower D, Vantone Center, Chaowai Avenue, Chaoyang District, Beijing
I take that as 19th Floor of that tower block.
I would be interested to know if its the whole 19th floor, or thats the floor for media comms etc of multiple floors (eg Regus temporary office space on the 26th floor). Or is it just part of the 19th floor ?
Nice. I'll be using thatAn interesting snippet from Daniel Ivery on SHA
"Meanwhile, In China...
Tony Xia has finally relinquished control of one of his listed companies, Recon Cable - and they've almost gone bust.
[finance.sina.com.cn]
House of cards falling apart... "
As the saying goes, If you want to know what's going on at Aston Villa ask a Birmingham City fan.
From the Mail on Sunday 22 May 2016:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-3602825/Saviour-dreamer-Sportsmail-talks-Aston-Villa-s-owner-waiting-Dr-Tony-Xia.html
The long-term plan include a football museum and theme park to attract football tourists from China and India, and the recruitment of young Chinese players to Villa’s academy, if not as formal scholars then on exchange programmes.
'I appreciate it’s a big deal for Villa fans,’ he says. ‘But actually in pure business terms, I’m working on acquisitions much bigger than this.’ He says, for example, that within months he will complete a $3.5bn takeover of a US logistics firm.
Xia says he will spend a lot of time in Birmingham over the next year, buying a house for himself and his wife Sally and daughter Charlotte [...]
From the Mail on Sunday 22 May 2016:And how have Sally and Charlotte settled in?
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-3602825/Saviour-dreamer-Sportsmail-talks-Aston-Villa-s-owner-waiting-Dr-Tony-Xia.html
The long-term plan include a football museum and theme park to attract football tourists from China and India, and the recruitment of young Chinese players to Villa’s academy, if not as formal scholars then on exchange programmes.
'I appreciate it’s a big deal for Villa fans,’ he says. ‘But actually in pure business terms, I’m working on acquisitions much bigger than this.’ He says, for example, that within months he will complete a $3.5bn takeover of a US logistics firm.
Xia says he will spend a lot of time in Birmingham over the next year, buying a house for himself and his wife Sally and daughter Charlotte [...]
The description of Recon as a 'conglomerate' with 5 businesses and 35,000 employees doesnt ring true. In fact, I think the FT reported at the time of the takeover that the description had removed the reference to 5 businesses. It feels at best that Recon looks like a holding company or investment vehicle to manage investments in a business or businesses that run themselves. I dont think there is any doubt that Xia has considerable experience in property development and real estate - that is what his background is, but I just dont see the 'synergy' of a conglomerate that does that, owns Aston Villa, does or doesnt own part of a film company, and owns a manufacturer of mono-sodium glutemate. Again, it would be good to have more public knowledge of where Villa fits into an overall strategy for his firm or his portfolio of holdings.The company address is :
Add:19F, Tower D, Vantone Center, Chaowai Avenue, Chaoyang District, Beijing
I take that as 19th Floor of that tower block.
I would be interested to know if its the whole 19th floor, or thats the floor for media comms etc of multiple floors (eg Regus temporary office space on the 26th floor). Or is it just part of the 19th floor ?
It appears they share the 19th Floor with others. The SMI Corporation Ltd also use it as their address, at least since 2014. They are listed as 'privately owned film producers (partial) and mention The Last Supper and The Guillotines as 'Representative Films Co-produced'.
There's a lot of Regus type office space for rent in the building but that's pretty much as you'd expect.
The description of Recon as a 'conglomerate' with 5 businesses and 35,000 employees doesnt ring true. In fact, I think the FT reported at the time of the takeover that the description had removed the reference to 5 businesses. It feels at best that Recon looks like a holding company or investment vehicle to manage investments in a business or businesses that run themselves. I dont think there is any doubt that Xia has considerable experience in property development and real estate - that is what his background is, but I just dont see the 'synergy' of a conglomerate that does that, owns Aston Villa, does or doesnt own part of a film company, and owns a manufacturer of mono-sodium glutemate. Again, it would be good to have more public knowledge of where Villa fits into an overall strategy for his firm or his portfolio of holdings.The company address is :
Add:19F, Tower D, Vantone Center, Chaowai Avenue, Chaoyang District, Beijing
I take that as 19th Floor of that tower block.
I would be interested to know if its the whole 19th floor, or thats the floor for media comms etc of multiple floors (eg Regus temporary office space on the 26th floor). Or is it just part of the 19th floor ?
It appears they share the 19th Floor with others. The SMI Corporation Ltd also use it as their address, at least since 2014. They are listed as 'privately owned film producers (partial) and mention The Last Supper and The Guillotines as 'Representative Films Co-produced'.
There's a lot of Regus type office space for rent in the building but that's pretty much as you'd expect.
I wouldnt even mind if Xia came out and said, I bought it to return it to the Premier League, sell it and make a bucket. Fair play, and we couldnt moan as we as fans would get what we want.
I cant fault what Xia has done in the 2 years he has owned our club, he has bought in a European Cup winning manager, poured millions on his recommendation into buying a mix of young players with potential and proven championship scorers, then invested again with a new manager with an excellent promotion record in older proven players and leadership. He cannot be criticised for not backing his managers, but has the funding of all this now become more difficult.
The final thing I would like to know, why did Mervyn King and David Bernstein resign from the Villa board on April 18th 2016 only a few weeks before Xia took over the club ?
Funny, that thought came to me the other day.
The final thing I would like to know, why did Mervyn King and David Bernstein resign from the Villa board on April 18th 2016 only a few weeks before Xia took over the club ?
Speculated wildly and inaccurately. They did one as Randy got hammered and insulted them.
Got inebriated and insulted them over the phone.
Got inebriated and insulted them over the phone.
Xia has obviously had access to some decent money, he's spent between £100-150m on us, I don't know many chancers/shysters that have that kind of cash. When using those terms I think of someone like Knighton when he wanted to buy Man Utd and it turned out he could only afford Carlisle. Where the Xia money came from, and if there's any left, is another matter.
As an aside, it's some achievement that between Lerner and Xia are two to three hundred million out of pocket from owning Villa, and ave somehow turned us into a second division side that apparently can't pay it's bills on time. It'salmostimpressive in its levels of incompetence.
We are actually ahead of Blues in the betting to get relegated next season. I really hope we find a way through all this and ram it down everyone’s throats.
We are actually ahead of Blues in the betting to get relegated next season. I really hope we find a way through all this and ram it down everyone’s throats.
I think this might work to our advantage. Less pressure and expectation.
The amounts we have wasted in the ownership of the last two owners set beside the position in which we now find ourselves is unbelievable until you put it in the context of the cast list. Lerner, Krulak, MON, Houllier, Faulkner, McLeish, Lambert, Fox, Sherwood, Garde, Black, KMac, Xia, Xia's faceless boardroom cronies, Wyness, Round, RDM and Bruce.
Feast your eyes on that list of men with their own agendas and it is all in the words of Basil, blindingly bleeding obvious.
The amounts we have wasted in the ownership of the last two owners set beside the position in which we now find ourselves is unbelievable until you put it in the context of the cast list. Lerner, Krulak, MON, Houllier, Faulkner, McLeish, Lambert, Fox, Sherwood, Garde, Black, KMac, Xia, Xia's faceless boardroom cronies, Wyness, Round, RDM and Bruce.
Feast your eyes on that list of men with their own agendas and it is all in the words of Basil, blindingly bleeding obvious.
it is a list of bad
And that’s before you get started on some of the players that’s stolen a living off us.
The amounts we have wasted in the ownership of the last two owners set beside the position in which we now find ourselves is unbelievable until you put it in the context of the cast list. Lerner, Krulak, MON, Houllier, Faulkner, McLeish, Lambert, Fox, Sherwood, Garde, Black, KMac, Xia, Xia's faceless boardroom cronies, Wyness, Round, RDM and Bruce.
Feast your eyes on that list of men with their own agendas and it is all in the words of Basil, blindingly bleeding obvious.
it is a list of bad
I'm not too sure if i'd put Houiller in that list to be honest.
The amounts we have wasted in the ownership of the last two owners set beside the position in which we now find ourselves is unbelievable until you put it in the context of the cast list. Lerner, Krulak, MON, Houllier, Faulkner, McLeish, Lambert, Fox, Sherwood, Garde, Black, KMac, Xia, Xia's faceless boardroom cronies, Wyness, Round, RDM and Bruce.
Feast your eyes on that list of men with their own agendas and it is all in the words of Basil, blindingly bleeding obvious.
it is a list of bad
I'm not too sure if i'd put Houiller in that list to be honest.
The amounts we have wasted in the ownership of the last two owners set beside the position in which we now find ourselves is unbelievable until you put it in the context of the cast list. Lerner, Krulak, MON, Houllier, Faulkner, McLeish, Lambert, Fox, Sherwood, Garde, Black, KMac, Xia, Xia's faceless boardroom cronies, Wyness, Round, RDM and Bruce.
Feast your eyes on that list of men with their own agendas and it is all in the words of Basil, blindingly bleeding obvious.
it is a list of bad
I'm not too sure if i'd put Houiller in that list to be honest.
The amounts we have wasted in the ownership of the last two owners set beside the position in which we now find ourselves is unbelievable until you put it in the context of the cast list. Lerner, Krulak, MON, Houllier, Faulkner, McLeish, Lambert, Fox, Sherwood, Garde, Black, KMac, Xia, Xia's faceless boardroom cronies, Wyness, Round, RDM and Bruce.
Feast your eyes on that list of men with their own agendas and it is all in the words of Basil, blindingly bleeding obvious.
Not a well translated piece but from this and something I read on the Recon site, some shit hit the fan for Xia in November 2017. (I'll dig the other articles let out later)
http://westdollar.com/sbdm/finance/news/1354,20171213812260434.html
United Rui Kang Xiajian: "Three flash crushing more and more outrageous, do not return home all think I can not back!
December 13, 2017 at 21:51source: Securities Times
B
In the absence of obvious negative conditions, shortly before Ruikang associated three shares suffered a flash collapse.
Coincidentally, when Xia Ruikang, head of the joint Ruikang, was in a foreign country for a time, he rumored directly on him. Subsequently, Xia construction in urgentWeiboClarified and temporarily redirected to return home, the public opinion turmoil gradually subsided.
Recently, the Securities Times · e company interviewed an interview with the chairman and CEO of Ruikang Group, Harvard University Design Dr. Xia Jian Tong, the three flashbacks,Lotus healthAsset sales mystery, the acquisition of veteran football clubs in Britain, "youngest professor" misunderstanding and other matters one by one responded, and a detailed account of Rui Kang Department in the wisdom of the global layout of the city.
Trials flashback impact
A shares and Ruikang associated thereRui Kang shares, Lotus health,Tianxia wisdom, Xia Jiantong actual control of the first two listed companies, at the same time as Tianxia wisdom chairman.
At 10:00 on November 20 before and after the sudden collapse of the three collective flash collapse to limit. For a time, the market rumors everywhere, are pointing to the joint Ruikang head Xia Jiatong. In the afternoon, Xia Jiantong released a response to the Weibo announcement that everything was fine in the UK and was busy expanding businesses such as Smart City. The next day, three stocks are still sharply lower.
In an interview with Securities Times and e-Company reporters, Xia said that when the itinerary was for the United Kingdom to go to Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, the government was also going to invite him to participate in the construction project of many smart cities because of this Things have to be temporarily diverted to return home.
Xia Jiantong did not immediately return because in England on November 22, Prince William and Kate came to Villa Park, Xia Jianting to Aston Villa Football Club, the identity of the reception, the British media also reported. At the same time, three flash floods triggered rumors also spread to Britain, the British media also reported on the matter, causing great pressure on Xia Jianting.
"There is no concept of a limit to the UK media, which states that the stock of a company has been halted suspended, understood to be even more outrageous, and it is hard for me to explain to the British the matter of a lower limit." Mr Xia told reporters at Securities Times Said.
The impact of rumors far exceeded the imagination, and slowly evolved into his return home, resulting in three flash flash collapse, microblogging to clarify the power is not enough. To make Xia Jiantong even more surprised that one thing he did not think was made wild. "Because more and more outrageous, do not come back and think I can not go back." Xia Jiantong said, "rumors affect the company a lot of things, some of the original normal cooperationbankFinancial institutions and cooperative departments have taken a wait-and-see attitude to wait until I come back to start doing business again. "After Xia Jianto returned to China, all work including bank and business cooperation gradually returned to normal.
Shortly after returning home, Xia Jiantong attended a media forum and delivered a keynote speech. "In principle, I am not invited to these activities in these years because I am not involved in these activities because I am too busy." Xia Jiantong said: "It is too costly to pass rumor now. I can only do this to make it clear that I have already returned."
Xia Jiantong psychological contradictions of the media from 10 years ago, "the youngest professor at Harvard" misunderstanding, and thus disputes with Fang. Xia Jiantong to Securities Times · e company reporter explained this past, when the doctoral dissertation completed, but has not yet formally graduated, at the same time is a postgraduate teaching assistants identity back to do the project planning of the West Lake, the media mouth of the students "teacher "Said directly as a" professor ", after being Fang" crackdown ", said Xia Jian Tong declared" professor. "
"Actually, it is a matter that I can not beat with my eight poles, and they (the media) toss each other." Xia Jiantong said: "In the same year, he negotiated with Fang once again and thought he really did some" crackdown " Things may not be the case now. "Maybe by" the youngest professor at Harvard "incident, Xiajian not long after this media interview.
In accordance with the understanding of Xia Jiantong, honestly doing things like, time can prove everything. "It is hard to say what he is pretending to be, and it is the best way to prove yourself if a person persists in life for a long time even to do one thing." Xia Jiantong said this remark.
Lotus health increased by the doldrums
In addition to the three flashbacks, which attracted the attention of the market and regulators, there was also a sale of Lotus Health Assets. It was questioned that the related party transactions should be related and Xiajian made a direct response.
On September 29 this year, Lotus Health Bulletin, transfer of Xiangcheng City, Henan ProvinceCanonThermal Power Co., Ltd. (Canon Thermal Power) 100% stake in Henan Lotus Sugar Co., Ltd. (Lotus Sugar) 43% stake, the transaction price was 244 million yuan, 66 million yuan, the transferee for the Horgos Zhongxin Yun Investment Venture Capital Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as "new cloud vote").
The transfer, Lotus Health intends to divest the loss of assets, the funds used to solve the problems left over by history, and promote the development of the company. However, this issue triggered a chain reaction. Two exchanges of inquiry were issued on the SSE. One was to ask whether there was any trading motivation for manipulating profits through asset disposal to prevent the company from losing its annual net assets. Another issue involved the subject The second transfer of assets, to the new cloud investment shortly after the change to Xiajian company name, triggering the related party transactions to the question.
In this regard, Xia Jian Tong Securities Times told e Times reporter, not only the assets of the plant (referring to Canon Thermal Power), lot lot of land in the city center facilities have been relatively old, have been released in accordance with the plan to move to a new Industrial Park, and similar assets before the land handling several times, the transfer is a process of asset clean-up, and involves many problems left over by history.
"Due to government demands and historical reasons, I consider temporarily holding this asset and waiting for the settlement of the problems that have been promised by employees in previous history when the assets have been disposed of." Xia Jiantong said: "If I take it for myself This asset, it is good to direct announcement to assess the valuation are normal, there is no need to avoid what.
In response to the Shanghai Stock Exchange, Xia Jiantong also said that after the completion of the industrial and commercial change by Canon Power Generation, the workers had great opinions and kept petitions. After coordination, the subsidiaries and the Zhongyun Cloud Investment Co., Ltd. signed an agreement on behalf of the shareholders. Lotus Health explained that Canon employees at Lotus have been working for many years, out of a strong sense of belonging and trust in the Lotus brand, requiring termination of the transaction and requiring the transfer of Canon Power to the name of the former shareholder.
In the end, Lotus Health or canceled these two transactions, the announcement said out of caution.
Lotus Health that is the original Lotus MSG is Rui Kang Department of the first actual control of A-share listed companies, the time is the end of 2014.
That Xia Jiantong took over a mess at that time is not excessive, and debt-ridden. Ruikang investment after the admission, planning non-public offering, prompting Lotus Gourmet Powder to enterWisdom agricultureAnd big health field, later company name changed to lotus health.
Lotus healthy non-public offering, from September 2015 already started planning, regulatory authorities have long been accepted, during which they have undergone a suspension and the number of draft, but has not yet been adopted. Under the program, Lotus Health intends to not more than 527 million shares of non-public offering, raised 3.113 billion yuan of funds does not exceed, Rui Kang subscribe for more than 2.3 billion investment.
Raised funds will be used green health, intellectual agriculture and other projects, there is a considerable part of the repayment of borrowings and capital investment in the controlling lease. Another significant move is to consolidate the controlling stake in Ruikang Investment, which will increase its stake to 31.28% after the implementation.
Xiajian Tong attached great importance to this increase, but he did not get a headache. "After we took over Lotus, we have borrowed billions of dollars at no expense and devoted more than 2 billion to the overall problem, in order to solve the problems left over by history and to clear the obstacles for the increase." Xia Jiantong said: "After a definite increase, we can solve a lot of historical burdens , To promote listed companies on the right track. "
According to the introduction of Xia Jiantong, the Henan Provincial Government, Zhoukou and Xiangcheng Municipal Government recently held a symposium to support Ruikang in solving all problems of Lotus as soon as possible and to pass it as soon as possible. "We have worked very hard in recent years and have turned losses on our main business, except for the impact of historical burden, assets impairment and debt provision, and the financial statements are not good looking," said Xia Jiantong.
The market has the view that Lotus Health is a shell company, which Xiajian think "engage in capital." According to Xia Jian Tong revealed that he took over the lotus health from now until now, often people ask whether to sell the shell. "If I could make a fortune in order to make a fortune, I could already resell it and would I put so much money into saving it?" Xia Jiantong said: "I can not ignore these 20,000 people. Fortunately, these three years have basically figured out that now To the last step, how do I have to persevere, I hope no one to trouble and toss up. "
Vera help business development
In fact, one of the most watched events of Xia Jianto in recent years is that in the summer of 2016, the Aston Villa Football Club of England (hereinafter referred to as "Villa") was fully acquired with a transaction price of 75 million pounds if Vera rose to the Premier League, but also to pay 40 million pounds. Xia Jiantong is a football fan in itself, and now serves as chairman of Villa Club.
Vera was founded in 1874 at the Villa Park in Birmingham. His history is excellent, but relegated from the Premier League to the English Champions League due to poor performance in the 2015/16 season. Thanks to his excellent early records and long history, Vera has accumulated a large number of fans, including Prince William of the future king of Britain and former Prime Minister Cameron. They also have a very strong fan base around the world.
In the UK, wanting to buy a football club is not an easy task. Xia Jiantong said he was the first Chinese to pass the Premier League and FA Premier qualification and many people followed up to acquire foreign football teams. "At that time, investing in Villa was very rational, not only because he was a soccer fan." Xia Jian Tong told the Securities Times · e company reporter.
Xia Jiantong introduction, the acquisition of Vera for three reasons, one around Rui Kang intelligent life platform to create services for sports enthusiasts in the vertical field platform, Vera is a specific football content; two is optimistic about the assets owned by Vera, in Birmingham, etc. To carry out smart city has a foundation; Third, Vera in the world has many special fans in the background, to carry out a global business has played a bridge role.
"We hope Vera will return to the Premiership as soon as possible and if successful, the investment will surely be a success." Xiaji told Security Times reporter, "Even if Vera did not return to the Premiership, it was a good asset from the point of view Of investment, is completely rational business practices. "Xia also added that it is because they are fans, the understanding of the industry is very clear.
Xia Jiantong learned two professions, one related to urbanization, one related to information technology. Rui Kang Although there are many business sectors, but also around this, smart city is a specific entry point. Xia Jiantong introduced in the future slowly enter an era of all things, the company's aim is for everyone in this era to create a better life, to create a Zhaopin platform covering the production side, the demand side, to meet the more intelligent resource acquisition process.
Xia Jiantong hopes this "Zhaopin" platform will not only be in China, but Vera will play a key role in the global layout of these businesses. Many princes from Saudi Arabia, India and Indonesia are fans of Vera, and Vera is like A bond.
According to Xia Jiantong, Rui Kang currently carries out smart city project specific locations, including the Birmingham and London Olympic region in Britain, Saudi Arabia's Riyadh, Kuwait's two cities, India's New Delhi core area and two other cities in Indonesia Bandung and Jakarta Satellite City. The expansion of business in these regions can not be separated from the ability of Vera to extend this platform.
In accordance with the planning of Xia construction, but also busy for 5 years. Xia Jiantong hopes that under his efforts, a platform for global resource sharing will emerge in five years. Xia Jiantong is now involved in many concrete projects around the world. He hopes to be able to train a core team of hundreds of people to replace himself within five years and will not spend so much time in specific affairs after five years.
At the end of the interview, Xia Jiantong told the Securities Times · e company reporter said that from the time he completed his studies to now he does not pursue how much money, how much wealth, but requires that he can honestly behave, this is Harvard years of education to his greatest Guidelines. "How many media interviews I received and how many exposures did not materially affect me." Xia Jiantong said, "I told my partners, although some misunderstand the storm, so long as they do well, just like that."
(Editor: DF134)
Vera? Really?
Don't know about anyone else but I get the sense it's going to get a lot worse before it gets better. Judging by the silence I'd guess people are trying to unpick and fathom out just how deep the shit is that we're in before they let on, I'd rather have all the bad news at once rather than be drip fed it.
I'm going the other way to be honest, In my opinion there have been 2 stories, 1 is the tax bill and the other is FFP. The latter is something we knew was a problem (if we didn't go up) months ago so the only 'new' information in the last month was HMRC. Now that's clearly not a good situation to be in but it's been resolved and the underlying problem will be resolved if/when we fix the FFP issue. The way we have to do that is to sell some players and start using our youth team more effectively, something I thought we should've started doing 2 1/2 years ago when relegation was a certainty so i'm struggling to be all that upset by the prospect.
If things come out that add to the problems then obviously my position will change but I just can't get myself all that worked up about the whole thing right now. I guess that's why I don't really get what people want from a statement, what exactly can be said that will help anyone right now?
I'm going the other way to be honest, In my opinion there have been 2 stories, 1 is the tax bill and the other is FFP. The latter is something we knew was a problem (if we didn't go up) months ago so the only 'new' information in the last month was HMRC. Now that's clearly not a good situation to be in but it's been resolved and the underlying problem will be resolved if/when we fix the FFP issue. The way we have to do that is to sell some players and start using our youth team more effectively, something I thought we should've started doing 2 1/2 years ago when relegation was a certainty so i'm struggling to be all that upset by the prospect.
If things come out that add to the problems then obviously my position will change but I just can't get myself all that worked up about the whole thing right now. I guess that's why I don't really get what people want from a statement, what exactly can be said that will help anyone right now?
The suspicion is that the cash flow issue is ongoing and the settlement with HMRC was s first installment only.
There is presumably a need for cash each month, so for it all to be sorted Xia must have found a way of borrowing against assets, finding extra investment or moving funds from China. Are any of these likely?
Would you lend him money with his track record?
But slashing the £45m wage bill is going to be difficult as there has been little interest in some of Villa's high-earning fringe players.
But slashing the £45m wage bill is going to be difficult as there has been little interest in some of Villa's high-earning fringe players.
So why re-sign Hutton? When we already have Bree, D'Laet, Emo and youth all on the books that can play FB.
Do you think he’s planning more ‘sitting with Xia’ competitions anytime soon so we can find what the bloody hell is going on?
Would you lend him money with his track record?
I wouldn't give him a quid to go to the shop. I have lost all faith in the bloke.
I'm assuming that even if we had gone up we still wouldn't have magically had the HMRC cash? As such the crisis would still have hit?
I think it's fair to assume that no one really knows what this chap would have done with the additional revenue that promotion would have brought in.
With the fixture list coming out on Thursday and millions due to be paid the week afterwards to various sources, does anyone know what would happen if we start the season and then go into liquidation ( heaven forbid) half way through? I can't find any reference to this scenario on the EFL website.
This is all well and good, but can we have the round badge back?
This is all well and good, but can we have the round badge back?
[/quote
Yes please !
This is all well and good, but can we have the round badge back?
This is all well and good, but can we have the round badge back?
What about the orange dot?
This is all well and good, but can we have the round badge back?
This is all well and good, but can we have the round badge back?
I apologise. The badge change suggestion was a tongue in cheek/ironic/shit attempt at gallows humour. Lesson learned!
The recent turmoil has made me realise just how much Villa are a constant in my life, it is ghastly imagining a world without them. I dpn't think I could bring myself to ever support another team if the club disappeared.
Surely with a club as large, old and famous as the Villa someone will pitch up and take it off Tony's hands. I hope so, as I have zero confidence in him to get us through this. When Man City had issues wioth their dodgy Thai owner (Taksim Shinawatra?) they managed to pull a rabbit out of the hat by finding very wealthy new owners. Villa are far bigger than Man City were at the time, lets hope this ends well.
The recent turmoil has made me realise just how much Villa are a constant in my life, it is ghastly imagining a world without them. I dpn't think I could bring myself to ever support another team if the club disappeared.
Surely with a club as large, old and famous as the Villa someone will pitch up and take it off Tony's hands. I hope so, as I have zero confidence in him to get us through this. When Man City had issues wioth their dodgy Thai owner (Taksim Shinawatra?) they managed to pull a rabbit out of the hat by finding very wealthy new owners. Villa are far bigger than Man City were at the time, lets hope this ends well.
We are still a bigger club than Man City.
The recent turmoil has made me realise just how much Villa are a constant in my life, it is ghastly imagining a world without them. I dpn't think I could bring myself to ever support another team if the club disappeared.
Surely with a club as large, old and famous as the Villa someone will pitch up and take it off Tony's hands. I hope so, as I have zero confidence in him to get us through this. When Man City had issues wioth their dodgy Thai owner (Taksim Shinawatra?) they managed to pull a rabbit out of the hat by finding very wealthy new owners. Villa are far bigger than Man City were at the time, lets hope this ends well.
The recent turmoil has made me realise just how much Villa are a constant in my life, it is ghastly imagining a world without them. I dpn't think I could bring myself to ever support another team if the club disappeared.
Surely with a club as large, old and famous as the Villa someone will pitch up and take it off Tony's hands. I hope so, as I have zero confidence in him to get us through this. When Man City had issues wioth their dodgy Thai owner (Taksim Shinawatra?) they managed to pull a rabbit out of the hat by finding very wealthy new owners. Villa are far bigger than Man City were at the time, lets hope this ends well.
We are still a bigger club than Man City.
Manchester City were taken over in 2008, when George Osborne was still in opposition.
The recent turmoil has made me realise just how much Villa are a constant in my life, it is ghastly imagining a world without them. I dpn't think I could bring myself to ever support another team if the club disappeared.
Surely with a club as large, old and famous as the Villa someone will pitch up and take it off Tony's hands. I hope so, as I have zero confidence in him to get us through this. When Man City had issues wioth their dodgy Thai owner (Taksim Shinawatra?) they managed to pull a rabbit out of the hat by finding very wealthy new owners. Villa are far bigger than Man City were at the time, lets hope this ends well.
We are still a bigger club than Man City.
We simply aren't though any more, as rose tinted as we'd all like to look at it. City, Chelsea, Spurs they are all bigger clubs than us now sadly and the gap is growing at an alarming rate!
Manchester City were taken over in 2008, when George Osborne was still in opposition.
Yep, you're right, I was mixing it up with when Osborne guided the Chinese President to Manchester instead of Birmingham back in 2015. The political and economic process of lobbying for huge investment in Manchester was certainly in full swing in 2008, though, and Osborne was right behind it before, during and after being in government. Without similar behind the scenes influence and movement, we might well be snookered.
Manchester City were taken over in 2008, when George Osborne was still in opposition.
Yep, you're right, I was mixing it up with when Osborne guided the Chinese President to Manchester instead of Birmingham back in 2015. The political and economic process of lobbying for huge investment in Manchester was certainly in full swing in 2008, though, and Osborne was right behind it before, during and after being in government. Without similar behind the scenes influence and movement, we might well be snookered.
I would think none of that had much to do with it though. Manchester City had a shiny new stadium that didn't even need to be bought, and the Arab purchasers of City probably considered that a Manchester based football club would be easier to get going again and market worldwide than a Birmingham one.
This is true, we are the Second City reaally in name only now. The media (Beeb especially) and Government bias towards Manchester as the only other place worth talking about than London now is overwhelming!
I tend to think of everything inside the M60 as Manchester, even if it actually isn't, like Salford. Everything outside it like Bolton and Bury is very much "Greater" Manchester. I can't think of anywhere else in the UK off the top of my head where you've got two cities separated by about a 5 metre width of river.
Sandwell definitely, as an example Bearwood is Sandwell despite being a lot closer to the city center than most Birmingham suburbs.
Sandwell definitely, as an example Bearwood is Sandwell despite being a lot closer to the city center than most Birmingham suburbs.
Yeah Bearwood is silly but i you look at the solihull council border map around places like Marston Green, Castle Brom and Kingshurst (https://mapit.mysociety.org/area/2538.html) it's clearly 1 place.
I still can't fathom how Villa aren't up there with the most successful clubs.
We're the biggest club in England's second city, great infrastructure, lovely stadium, distinctive brand, illustrious history, former
European champions, excellent, loyal fan base and potential for a frankly huge following across the West Mids conurbation and beyond.
The potential is massive. It's a tragedy that for so long we've been run by people lacking the vision and judgment needed to fulfill it.
Over last 20 years we've developed the unwelcome habit of freezing/bottling big chances.
It started in 2000 with how negative we were in the FA cup final
The recent turmoil has made me realise just how much Villa are a constant in my life, it is ghastly imagining a world without them. I dpn't think I could bring myself to ever support another team if the club disappeared.
Surely with a club as large, old and famous as the Villa someone will pitch up and take it off Tony's hands. I hope so, as I have zero confidence in him to get us through this. When Man City had issues wioth their dodgy Thai owner (Taksim Shinawatra?) they managed to pull a rabbit out of the hat by finding very wealthy new owners. Villa are far bigger than Man City were at the time, lets hope this ends well.
We are still a bigger club than Man City.
I agree. It is a shitty state of affairs when pisspot teams like City and Chelsea have managed to spend their way big, but rules stop larger clubs like Villa from doing the same. I don't see what is fair about FFP, load of old bollocks.
Over last 20 years we've developed the unwelcome habit of freezing/bottling big chances.
It started in 2000 with how negative we were in the FA cup final
It started WAY before then.
Doug failed to take the risk/plunge numerous times when we had greatness within touching distance.
We also nearly got relegated twice in the 90s, I remember it as a period of if onlys.
We also nearly got relegated twice in the 90s, I remember it as a period of if onlys.
As well as winning the League, European Cup and Super Cup and getting relegated and promoted in the eighties we also nearly got relegated on two other occasions in that decade. In the eighties we had only three mid table seasons. Other than that it was feast or famine.
Gareth, yes any sale or investment negotiations would be kept secret, although I think investment leaving Tony in control is extremely unlikely.
Portsmouth had built up a huge HMRC debt and one of the reasons why HMRC are less lenient with Football Clubs.
Yes all non Secured and non Football Creditors can get wiped.
The sale of the club will take time, probably several weeks.
If there is a genuine sale process in place it is often the case that HMRC will hold off.
It's interesting in that when we last finished in the top four, only the top three teams could qualify for the Champs League (they extended it to four the following year, I think). Likewise, when we were consistently finishing top six under O'Neill, the only thing the press talked about was the "Top Four"...and now, when we are nowhere near the top six of the Premier League, the "Top Six" has become the place to be for an "elite" club.
We have paid the tax bill in full and have enough working capital to last until Christmas. Doesn't mean our position financially is still not perilous mind
We have paid the tax bill in full and have enough working capital to last until Christmas. Doesn't mean our position financially is still not perilous mindI may have missed something, but do we definitely know this as fact ?
We have paid the tax bill in full and have enough working capital to last until Christmas. Doesn't mean our position financially is still not perilous mind
We have paid the tax bill in full and have enough working capital to last until Christmas. Doesn't mean our position financially is still not perilous mind
Was it more than one month's PAYE we owed then? What's the plan for after Christmas then, I assume desperately trying to sell the club?
The worry is, what has he done to get the money.We have paid the tax bill in full and have enough working capital to last until Christmas. Doesn't mean our position financially is still not perilous mind
Was it more than one month's PAYE we owed then? What's the plan for after Christmas then, I assume desperately trying to sell the club?
We have paid the tax bill in full and have enough working capital to last until Christmas. Doesn't mean our position financially is still not perilous mind
Was it more than one month's PAYE we owed then? What's the plan for after Christmas then, I assume desperately trying to sell the club?
We have paid the tax bill in full and have enough working capital to last until Christmas. Doesn't mean our position financially is still not perilous mind
Was it more than one month's PAYE we owed then? What's the plan for after Christmas then, I assume desperately trying to sell the club?
According to The Telegraph today:
Villa are facing another £5million bill in the latest challenge for owner Dr Tony Xia. Villa have this month's pay-roll and tax to fund by the end of June and are under pressure to find the amount having recently settled a dispute with HMRC to avoid the threat of a winding-up order.
It just goes on and on and on.
According to The Telegraph today:
Villa are facing another £5million bill in the latest challenge for owner Dr Tony Xia. Villa have this month's pay-roll and tax to fund by the end of June and are under pressure to find the amount having recently settled a dispute with HMRC to avoid the threat of a winding-up order.
It just goes on and on and on.
It's not really a story is it. Breaking news Ads will have to meet a tax liability next Thursday when he's paid!
According to The Telegraph today:
Villa are facing another £5million bill in the latest challenge for owner Dr Tony Xia. Villa have this month's pay-roll and tax to fund by the end of June and are under pressure to find the amount having recently settled a dispute with HMRC to avoid the threat of a winding-up order.
It just goes on and on and on.
It's not really a story is it. Breaking news Ads will have to meet a tax liability next Thursday when he's paid!
You're being ripped off Ads. The true HMRC deadline is 19 July!
In other news I paid my corporation tax yesterday, in full and early I’ll have you know.
In other news I paid my corporation tax yesterday, in full and early I’ll have you know.
I won second prize in a beauty contest and d collected £25
At what point am I going to stop clicking on Evening Mail headlines, finally realising that they never actually report anything that hasn't been reported elsewhere or is just clickbait due to a trivial Instagram update?
At what point am I going to stop clicking on Evening Mail headlines, finally realising that they never actually report anything that hasn't been reported elsewhere or is just clickbait due to a trivial Instagram update?
In other news I paid my corporation tax yesterday, in full and early I’ll have you know.
I won second prize in a beauty contest and d collected £25
And still Xia remains in China with no sign of him returning to sort this mess out or any statement to us mugs as fans. I really feel like returning my ST and getting a refund......
It must have been tough coming second to Erdington High Street.In other news I paid my corporation tax yesterday, in full and early I’ll have you know.
I won second prize in a beauty contest and d collected £25
*whisper* There were only two entries.
At what point am I going to stop clicking on Evening Mail headlines, finally realising that they never actually report anything that hasn't been reported elsewhere or is just clickbait due to a trivial Instagram update?
That's not embarrassing at all. We're effectively going to Cash Convertors and telling all our mates we're skint.
That's not embarrassing at all. We're effectively going to Cash Convertors and telling all our mates we're skint.
Oh oh but Dr Tony is a gazillionaire!
This humiliation won't end until these fucking clueless chancers move on
Talking of clueless - big up Lerner having us pay for his brainlessness even now that he's gone.
That's not embarrassing at all. We're effectively going to Cash Convertors and telling all our mates we're skint.
Oh oh but Dr Tony is a gazillionaire!
This humiliation won't end until these fucking clueless chancers move on
Talking of clueless - big up Lerner having us pay for his brainlessness even now that he's gone.
This could get uglyThe worry is, what has he done to get the money.We have paid the tax bill in full and have enough working capital to last until Christmas. Doesn't mean our position financially is still not perilous mind
Was it more than one month's PAYE we owed then? What's the plan for after Christmas then, I assume desperately trying to sell the club?
Sold future transferpayments, future revenue streams?
Hope it’s not a Glasgow Rangers situation.
Oh dear
The website is down. This is the beginning of the end....Someone twittered recently that this was on the cards.
This could get uglyThe worry is, what has he done to get the money.We have paid the tax bill in full and have enough working capital to last until Christmas. Doesn't mean our position financially is still not perilous mind
Was it more than one month's PAYE we owed then? What's the plan for after Christmas then, I assume desperately trying to sell the club?
Sold future transferpayments, future revenue streams?
Hope it’s not a Glasgow Rangers situation.
Oh dear
That Mirror article just regurgitates the same old shit that has been in every other article since the news originally broke.
There is just speculation and nothing particularly scary. The other issue is around this factoring thing, it isn't anything new is it? Isn't it just the old stuff being brought more formally to light?
If we had have beaten Fulham, would the financial problems have shown themselves in some guise?Impossible to tell.
Any excuse ;)That Mirror article just regurgitates the same old shit that has been in every other article since the news originally broke.
There is just speculation and nothing particularly scary. The other issue is around this factoring thing, it isn't anything new is it? Isn't it just the old stuff being brought more formally to light?
if we were on the Titanic you would be the one playing the violin saying 'it's just a drop of water'
i would be the guy dressing up as a woman to get on the lifeboats
That Mirror article just regurgitates the same old shit that has been in every other article since the news originally broke.
There is just speculation and nothing particularly scary. The other issue is around this factoring thing, it isn't anything new is it? Isn't it just the old stuff being brought more formally to light?
if we were on the Titanic you would be the one playing the violin saying 'it's just a drop of water'
i would be the guy dressing up as a woman to get on the lifeboats
Any excuse ;)That Mirror article just regurgitates the same old shit that has been in every other article since the news originally broke.
There is just speculation and nothing particularly scary. The other issue is around this factoring thing, it isn't anything new is it? Isn't it just the old stuff being brought more formally to light?
if we were on the Titanic you would be the one playing the violin saying 'it's just a drop of water'
i would be the guy dressing up as a woman to get on the lifeboats
Any excuse ;)That Mirror article just regurgitates the same old shit that has been in every other article since the news originally broke.
There is just speculation and nothing particularly scary. The other issue is around this factoring thing, it isn't anything new is it? Isn't it just the old stuff being brought more formally to light?
if we were on the Titanic you would be the one playing the violin saying 'it's just a drop of water'
i would be the guy dressing up as a woman to get on the lifeboats
only at weekends
I'm not sure Fuzzbox can save us.
There's only one way to save us now.....call International Rescue ( cue Thunderbirds music).
There's only one way to save us now.....call International Rescue ( cue Thunderbirds music).
Gordon's alive!!!There's only one way to save us now.....call International Rescue ( cue Thunderbirds music).
Only Flash Gordon can save us now.
(https://thumb.ibb.co/kw8uS8/5_AA8774_E_D15_C_419_A_9567_D0_C443320_A90.jpg) (https://ibb.co/kw8uS8)Gordon's alive!!!There's only one way to save us now.....call International Rescue ( cue Thunderbirds music).
Only Flash Gordon can save us now.
Some twat from marketing will thinks it’s claret and that will be another shit shirt for a season.There's only one way to save us now.....call International Rescue ( cue Thunderbirds music).
Perhaps Parker can put Lady Penelope's pink Rolls next to Doug's in the Villa car park then!
Do we have to give assurances that we can funfill our fixture list this season?I don’t think we have fun filled our fixtures in years
We are still massively in the shit, really hope this investor or sale can get sorted before the season starts.
The fact we’ve needed to set up a loan against the £1m Sanchez sale, scheduled for us to receive on July 6th and get the cash early mid June speaks volumes
We are still massively in the shit, really hope this investor or sale can get sorted before the season starts.
The fact we’ve needed to set up a loan against the £1m Sanchez sale, scheduled for us to receive on July 6th and get the cash early mid June speaks volumes
Is that actually true?
We are still massively in the shit, really hope this investor or sale can get sorted before the season starts.
The fact we’ve needed to set up a loan against the £1m Sanchez sale, scheduled for us to receive on July 6th and get the cash early mid June speaks volumes
Is that actually true?
Yes, you can see the documents on companies house. We taken out a loan against the £1.7m still owed to us from Fiorentina
I worry that our plight seems to be mirroring political churning. It cannot be coincidence that the Trump provoked trade war with China has resulted in the clamping down of Chinese capital movements. We are as bad scalded as burnt as the old Birmingham saying goes. We either have an owner who has no money or an owner who has money but cannot move it.
If we get out of this without liquidation, administration, relegation or points deduction I will consider it the dodging of at salvo of bullets. Bit like the end of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.
From Carl Palmer who I follow on Twitter... Further development at Companies House for #AVFC - The arrival of £142,061,725 capital has just been notified for Aston Villa Football Club
From Carl Palmer who I follow on Twitter... Further development at Companies House for #AVFC - The arrival of £142,061,725 capital has just been notified for Aston Villa Football Club
57 Million Pounds worth of £1 shares just made available in #AVFC ... If @Dr_TonyXia is selling a 49% minority share, then this looks like it's getting closer. All lining up with his estimated valuation of £120M for the club.
From Carl Palmer who I follow on Twitter... Further development at Companies House for #AVFC - The arrival of £142,061,725 capital has just been notified for Aston Villa Football Club
Yes, just read his tweets made today. He also says this:Quote57 Million Pounds worth of £1 shares just made available in #AVFC ... If @Dr_TonyXia is selling a 49% minority share, then this looks like it's getting closer. All lining up with his estimated valuation of £120M for the club.
Not sure what the £142,061,725 figure is all about though? Perhaps someone more informed and clued up than myself would care to explain what this could mean?
So does this mean any one can buy shares in the club?
I’m re-reading the FT article on Xia from May 2016, questioning his, background, credentials, lies etc. The clues were all there in the article.
There was a £50m loan due back to the parent company. I wonder if it is swapping debt for equity if it includes that, or if it's a new injection of cash altogether?
I’m re-reading the FT article on Xia from May 2016, questioning his, background, credentials, lies etc. The clues were all there in the article.
The "Champions League in 5 years" bollocks, or whatever it was, was all I needed to hear to set major alarm bells ringing.
Excuse my ignorance but how can you convert debt to equity?
Excuse my ignorance but how can you convert debt to equity?
In a debt-for-equity swap, a company's creditors generally agree to cancel some or all of the debt in exchange for equity in the company.
Debt for equity deals often occur when large companies run into serious financial trouble, and often result in these companies being taken over by their principal creditors. This is because both the debt and the remaining assets in these companies are so large that there is no advantage for the creditors to drive the company into bankruptcy. Instead the creditors prefer to take control of the business as a going concern. As a consequence, the original shareholders' stake in the company is generally significantly diluted in these deals and may be entirely eliminated
Can we make this like Janet & John please? Are we looking safe from admin or not?
A slight problem with the above explanation.
Not all Debt Equity swaps result in the creditors gaining control of the company
TEAMAX made a £60 odd million profit last year which doesn't sound like enough funds for our Tone to go mental with a football club. Enough to be as rich as Woodhall mind.
You set em up son an I'll knock em inDo we have to give assurances that we can funfill our fixture list this season?I don’t think we have fun filled our fixtures in years
TEAMAX made a £60 odd million profit last year which doesn't sound like enough funds for our Tone to go mental with a football club. Enough to be as rich as Woodhall mind.
Let's hope dickhead sells up sharpish.
Let's hope dickhead sells up sharpish.
Only problem is I don’t think we can trust him to sell to anyone any better
This with bells on. Sell up and go ASAP
This will delay all transfers and throw confusion on who is doing the buying.
This will delay all transfers and throw confusion on who is doing the buying.
So he's desperate for money but is rejecting buy-out bids.
Interpreting that for a second it looks more like he's determined to hold on to the club and seek investment (49% or less) rather than sell outright.
Suppose the good thing about new ownership is we will still be restricted by FFP so any new ownership won't come in and waste 50m straightaway. We will need to develop a long term plan. Whether likes of Steve Round and Bruce are in that plan remains to be seen.
Suppose the good thing about new ownership is we will still be restricted by FFP so any new ownership won't come in and waste 50m straightaway. We will need to develop a long term plan. Whether likes of Steve Round and Bruce are in that plan remains to be seen.
Aren't new owners given a little bit of slack in terms of FFP?
Plus the Grealish money could possibly be used as a transfer kitty.
Suppose the good thing about new ownership is we will still be restricted by FFP so any new ownership won't come in and waste 50m straightaway. We will need to develop a long term plan. Whether likes of Steve Round and Bruce are in that plan remains to be seen.
Aren't new owners given a little bit of slack in terms of FFP?
Plus the Grealish money could possibly be used as a transfer kitty.
I don't really know chap but I doubt the 40m we have to make up for overspending last year is going to magically disappear.
We've failed anyway with our short term boom and bust policy so next ownership needs to give funds for promising young players from lower leagues, insist on more under 23 players promoted into 18 and keep a few older heads for experience.
Think that's our best chance of developing more sustainable team not just for this level but the premier league.
Suppose the good thing about new ownership is we will still be restricted by FFP so any new ownership won't come in and waste 50m straightaway. We will need to develop a long term plan. Whether likes of Steve Round and Bruce are in that plan remains to be seen.
Aren't new owners given a little bit of slack in terms of FFP?
Plus the Grealish money could possibly be used as a transfer kitty.
If this latest bid from a European bidder met his requirements he should have accepted it, not knock it back, the sooner decision are made, the club sold, plans put in place, we can move on make plans for the coming season and hopefully turn around a dreadful summer of negativity, new buyers in place, new manager in place, much needed new players, might keep Jack but even if that wasn't the case, useful money or we could loan him back as part the deal. he should get on with it.
Also raises an interesting question - do we want him to sell out to the first person to race with the cash around, or to wait till he gets an offer from someone who knows what they're doing?
If this latest bid from a European bidder met his requirements he should have accepted it, not knock it back, the sooner decision are made, the club sold, plans put in place, we can move on make plans for the coming season and hopefully turn around a dreadful summer of negativity, new buyers in place, new manager in place, much needed new players, might keep Jack but even if that wasn't the case, useful money or we could loan him back as part the deal. he should get on with it.
Given that he knocked it back, maybe it didn't meet his requirements?
Also raises an interesting question - do we want him to sell out to the first person to race with the cash around, or to wait till he gets an offer from someone who knows what they're doing?
Do we even have the luxury of time?
Fulham got bought out by a proper billionaire but he made it clear they weren’t going to spend their way out of the division. It’s taken them four years but it worked. Their key was holding onto Cairney. I fear for us if we don’t hold onto Grealish.
Fulham got bought out by a proper billionaire but he made it clear they weren’t going to spend their way out of the division. It’s taken them four years but it worked. Their key was holding onto Cairney. I fear for us if we don’t hold onto Grealish.
We won't hold onto Grealish mate. We have to re-think how we set up in his absence. I believe that is 433.
Didn’t Lerner wax lyrical about him when he sold up.
Took lots of time to rethink about what we did, right or wrong things. Didn’t read any news about us which surely were with many rumors. I will keep doing my best to support our beloved AV. Keep stronger! #UTV
tony Xia's latest tweet
Took lots of time to rethink about what we did, right or wrong things. Didn’t read any news about us which surely were with many rumors. I will keep doing my best to support our beloved AV. Keep stronger! #UTV
tony Xia's latest tweet
You’d think a man of his means in his position he’d have someone write something insightful and meaningful instead of more absolute guff.
You’d think a man of his means in his position he’d have someone write something insightful and meaningful instead of more absolute guff.
Indeed, a billionaire who doesn't think it's worth employing someone to knock this shit up into something resembling a coherent statement before splurging it out.
And that's not racist before anyone dives in, because Randy Lerner, whose first language one presumes is English, had a similar problem.
Although at least he was verifiably rich.
Took lots of time to rethink about what we did, right or wrong things. Didn’t read any news about us which surely were with many rumors. I will keep doing my best to support our beloved AV. Keep stronger! #UTV
tony Xia's latest tweet
I preferred the emoji thing myself.
It's not unfathomable in the slightest.Just not very good England
Fulham got bought out by a proper billionaire but he made it clear they weren’t going to spend their way out of the division. It’s taken them four years but it worked. Their key was holding onto Cairney. I fear for us if we don’t hold onto Grealish.
Which brings us neatly back to the question of Steve Bruce. Is he capable of doing what Jokanovic achieved at Fulham? Personally I think the answer is no.Fulham got bought out by a proper billionaire but he made it clear they weren’t going to spend their way out of the division. It’s taken them four years but it worked. Their key was holding onto Cairney. I fear for us if we don’t hold onto Grealish.
The key was selling a past it McCormack to us.
They've done it the way I want us to do it. Promoted youngsters to the squad like Sessegnon, signed good value players from other championship clubs Cairney (Blackburn) McDonald (Wolves) and used the loan market very well as doubt they'd have made it without Mitrovic's goals.
They now have a team good enough to stay in premier league.
With the next ownership we have to go down the sustainable route.
It's not unfathomable in the slightest.Just not very good England
I kinda want him to turn this around. His Witton regeneration plans and all that jazz which made Brucey swoon, which other owner will try something like that?
You’d think a man of his means in his position he’d have someone write something insightful and meaningful instead of more absolute guff.
Indeed, a billionaire who doesn't think it's worth employing someone to knock this shit up into something resembling a coherent statement before splurging it out.
And that's not racist before anyone dives in, because Randy Lerner, whose first language one presumes is English, had a similar problem.
I guess there's no room for a bit of humour in these dark daysIt's not unfathomable in the slightest.Just not very good England
No it's not the best, but it's perfectly understandable.
I wonder what sort of reception he'll get if he rocks up at VP early season? It would certainly require a big pair of balls
Which brings us neatly back to the question of Steve Bruce. Is he capable of doing what Jokanovic achieved at Fulham? Personally I think the answer is no.Fulham got bought out by a proper billionaire but he made it clear they weren’t going to spend their way out of the division. It’s taken them four years but it worked. Their key was holding onto Cairney. I fear for us if we don’t hold onto Grealish.
The key was selling a past it McCormack to us.
They've done it the way I want us to do it. Promoted youngsters to the squad like Sessegnon, signed good value players from other championship clubs Cairney (Blackburn) McDonald (Wolves) and used the loan market very well as doubt they'd have made it without Mitrovic's goals.
They now have a team good enough to stay in premier league.
With the next ownership we have to go down the sustainable route.
I wonder what sort of reception he'll get if he rocks up at VP early season? It would certainly require a big pair of balls
Not a chance, we’ve seen the last of this charlatan.
I wonder what sort of reception he'll get if he rocks up at VP early season? It would certainly require a big pair of balls
Not a chance, we’ve seen the last of this charlatan.
Does this mean we wont be doing "Sitting With Xia" next season?
The most worrying issue for me isn't about him trying to sell up, it's the thought of him selling the club to someone even worse. He'll want as much of his money back as possible and let's be honest the decision making he has made has put the club on it's arse. Why will he suddenly be able to make good decisions. Worrying times, as anyone with any kind of business interest will aim to buy the club at a later date when the club is neck deep in the crap rather than now where it's merely waist high in crap.
I wonder what sort of reception he'll get if he rocks up at VP early season? It would certainly require a big pair of balls
Not a chance, we’ve seen the last of this charlatan.
Does this mean we wont be doing "Sitting With Xia" next season?
Change of format coming up, 'Counting with Xia' or 'Stringing people along with Xia' or my personal favourite 'Fiscal fuck ups with Xia'
Invest with Xia. For £40m you get to sit next to the Chinese billionaire but you will have no overall control of the seat and could be removed from your seat at half time.
The most worrying issue for me isn't about him trying to sell up, it's the thought of him selling the club to someone even worse. He'll want as much of his money back as possible and let's be honest the decision making he has made has put the club on it's arse. Why will he suddenly be able to make good decisions. Worrying times, as anyone with any kind of business interest will aim to buy the club at a later date when the club is neck deep in the crap rather than now where it's merely waist high in crap.
I think people lose sight of how much money the owner has put into the club. As it has turned out, it has firstly not been enough and secondly not been used wisely.
It would appear that he has put in somewhere between £100m and £150m, it could be more. This is not the same as a guy trying to impress a woman by pretending to be somebody else to get her into bed on a Saturday night.
I am not saying he has not pulled the wool over our eyes with his supposed wealth and he has not turned out to be what most thought but it is still a sizeable amount of money that he has acquired somehow. Through his inexperience he may well lose the lot. His motives for buying the club are still unclear to me but I do not believe it was to make money in the short term as nobody makes money in football quickly, if at all. If we had been promoted, the value of the club may have gone up to £125m. Still less than his investment.
XIA GONE FROM VP !
The man is a fraud.
The man has lost face in the UK, and more importantly in China.
His Fall-from-Grace can affect his struggling Companies, because no investor wants to support an apparent LOSER.
Lotus has nose-dived.... Recon is subject to SE investigation now....there is a Time-Limit on delaying posting RESULTS and Xia has pushed it too far with RECON.
He will not show his face at VP ... EVER AGAIN.
Basically because he is a COWARD.... imo
A Con-Man and a Gambler, whose ego outweighed his actual skill.
A One-Man-Band of self hype who presumably believed his hype because he was in an environment where sudden Entrepreneurs were treated as 'Gods' ... from a Culture that never knew nor experienced Lies and Deceit for Personal Gain.
Xia is a Coward, and will not show his face at VP. . . . EVER AGAIN .... Our reaction would crucify him. Especially in China.
HE IS GONE
I think people lose sight of how much money the owner has put into the club. As it has turned out, it has firstly not been enough and secondly not been used wisely.
I think people lose sight of how much money the owner has put into the club. As it has turned out, it has firstly not been enough and secondly not been used wisely.
Talking of this.
Taking into account all the clubs income since he took over, and ins and outs player wise what has he actually PUT IN himself and not just as a loan which he wants back ?
I note with interest that Wanda - who are advertising incessantly on the electronic hoardings at every World Cup game don’t appear to be having many difficulties shifting their capital out of China.
I note with interest that Wanda - who are advertising incessantly on the electronic hoardings at every World Cup game don’t appear to be having many difficulties shifting their capital out of China.
'Wanda' sounds a bit fishy to me.
I note with interest that Wanda - who are advertising incessantly on the electronic hoardings at every World Cup game don’t appear to be having many difficulties shifting their capital out of China.
'Wanda' sounds a bit fishy to me.
The most concerning thing about that article is being interested in Huth.
Was this not the paper who was reporting Bruce to be pleasantly surprised?
There's so much speculative bollocks at the moment. The Levy-ism in full affect. Those Jews ah? Mirror scrotes.
(https://scontent-lht6-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/36420391_1952799688083888_1066147866554138624_n.jpg?_nc_cat=0&oh=6327c7a30fb2601007c09685ba05c4c9&oe=5BAB6899)
An 'executive board' addressing a letter as 'Dear Tony'. It's all a bit informal.
They aren't free as you pay a signing on fee and wages. Huth for 2 years as an example, would most likely be £2-3m, not much in football terms, but a fair chunk for a second division club with little spare cash. Doesn't mean the headline is true mind.
Well there's only 3 new players, plus every side has new players to bed in. I've said I think we'll struggle to be promoted but we really do need to go up this season. Parachute money is peanuts next year, I think we're in deep shit if we are stuck in this division for another year.
An 'executive board' addressing a letter as 'Dear Tony'. It's all a bit informal.
No one foresaw it? Plenty on here did. I could quote loads of example from different folks in addition to this 11 months ago.Well there's only 3 new players, plus every side has new players to bed in. I've said I think we'll struggle to be promoted but we really do need to go up this season. Parachute money is peanuts next year, I think we're in deep shit if we are stuck in this division for another year.
Yes "Tone Mate" would have been more suitable.An 'executive board' addressing a letter as 'Dear Tony'. It's all a bit informal.
That jumped out to me.
Was this not the paper who was reporting Bruce to be pleasantly surprised?
There's so much speculative bollocks at the moment. The Levy-ism in full affect. Those Jews ah? Mirror scrotes.
You think there is a Jewish effort to get Grealish to Spurs on the cheap?
It was such a big gamble.
I don't think anyone envisaged we'd be struggling to pay tax bills though, more just having to sell a few players.
All feels up in the air. Are the players back for pre season next week? Will surely be some more clarity on the situation if only because SB will have to answer some questions on the state of play at the club.
It was such a big gamble.
I don't think anyone envisaged we'd be struggling to pay tax bills though, more just having to sell a few players.
All feels up in the air. Are the players back for pre season next week? Will surely be some more clarity on the situation if only because SB will have to answer some questions on the state of play at the club.
I think they are back in next week and fly out to Portugal to a training camp.
Yes "Tone Mate" would have been more suitable.An 'executive board' addressing a letter as 'Dear Tony'. It's all a bit informal.
That jumped out to me.
Was this not the paper who was reporting Bruce to be pleasantly surprised?
There's so much speculative bollocks at the moment. The Levy-ism in full affect. Those Jews ah? Mirror scrotes.
You think there is a Jewish effort to get Grealish to Spurs on the cheap?
No, I'm suggesting the Mirror is using Jewish stereotypes. Why is it only Levy, a Jew, is seen as some arch negotiator or tight when Spurs waste as much money as their contempories.
It was such a big gamble.
I don't think anyone envisaged we'd be struggling to pay tax bills though, more just having to sell a few players.
All feels up in the air. Are the players back for pre season next week? Will surely be some more clarity on the situation if only because SB will have to answer some questions on the state of play at the club.
I think they are back in next week and fly out to Portugal to a training camp.
It was such a big gamble.
I don't think anyone envisaged we'd be struggling to pay tax bills though, more just having to sell a few players.
All feels up in the air. Are the players back for pre season next week? Will surely be some more clarity on the situation if only because SB will have to answer some questions on the state of play at the club.
I think they are back in next week and fly out to Portugal to a training camp.
How are they going to pay for that?
No one foresaw it? Plenty on here did. I could quote loads of example from different folks in addition to this 11 months ago.Well there's only 3 new players, plus every side has new players to bed in. I've said I think we'll struggle to be promoted but we really do need to go up this season. Parachute money is peanuts next year, I think we're in deep shit if we are stuck in this division for another year.
You're right plenty, including myself, thought we'd struggle if we didn't get promoted due to reduced parachute money.
I think, if we're honest, the 'Deep shit' would have been having to cut back slightly, offloading aging players and not being able to just buy who we wanted to, but, I doubt very much anyone foresaw the magnitude of financial trouble we'd gotten ourselves into.
Tone has been busy claiming flight delayed vouchers from Air China redeemable at EasyJet.It was such a big gamble.
I don't think anyone envisaged we'd be struggling to pay tax bills though, more just having to sell a few players.
All feels up in the air. Are the players back for pre season next week? Will surely be some more clarity on the situation if only because SB will have to answer some questions on the state of play at the club.
I think they are back in next week and fly out to Portugal to a training camp.
How are they going to pay for that?
Air miles
I thought deep shit was where we are now without the drama.No one foresaw it? Plenty on here did. I could quote loads of example from different folks in addition to this 11 months ago.Well there's only 3 new players, plus every side has new players to bed in. I've said I think we'll struggle to be promoted but we really do need to go up this season. Parachute money is peanuts next year, I think we're in deep shit if we are stuck in this division for another year.
You're right plenty, including myself, thought we'd struggle if we didn't get promoted due to reduced parachute money.
I think, if we're honest, the 'Deep shit' would have been having to cut back slightly, offloading aging players and not being able to just buy who we wanted to, but, I doubt very much anyone foresaw the magnitude of financial trouble we'd gotten ourselves into.
I pretty much agree.
I suspected it'd mean selling Grealish and working on the wage bill.
Failing to meet the monthly PAYE bill and actual discussion of administration as a possibility is not what I foresaw, this is a whole different level of shit.
(https://scontent-lht6-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/36420391_1952799688083888_1066147866554138624_n.jpg?_nc_cat=0&oh=6327c7a30fb2601007c09685ba05c4c9&oe=5BAB6899)I bet Tony had his PA busy arranging urgent travel and a meeting having received such a stern letter.
(https://scontent-lht6-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/36420391_1952799688083888_1066147866554138624_n.jpg?_nc_cat=0&oh=6327c7a30fb2601007c09685ba05c4c9&oe=5BAB6899)I bet Tony had his PA busy arranging urgent travel and a meeting having received such a stern letter.
:o
Was this not the paper who was reporting Bruce to be pleasantly surprised?
There's so much speculative bollocks at the moment. The Levy-ism in full affect. Those Jews ah? Mirror scrotes.
You think there is a Jewish effort to get Grealish to Spurs on the cheap?
No, I'm suggesting the Mirror is using Jewish stereotypes. Why is it only Levy, a Jew, is seen as some arch negotiator or tight when Spurs waste as much money as their contempories.
I think they are asking exactly what we want to know regardless of whether it could have been shortened.(https://scontent-lht6-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/36420391_1952799688083888_1066147866554138624_n.jpg?_nc_cat=0&oh=6327c7a30fb2601007c09685ba05c4c9&oe=5BAB6899)I bet Tony had his PA busy arranging urgent travel and a meeting having received such a stern letter.
:o
What else can they do though apart from nothing
(https://scontent-lht6-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/36420391_1952799688083888_1066147866554138624_n.jpg?_nc_cat=0&oh=6327c7a30fb2601007c09685ba05c4c9&oe=5BAB6899)I bet Tony had his PA busy arranging urgent travel and a meeting having received such a stern letter.
:o
I believe we’re not in the healthiest position right now. However I wouldn’t believe the Mirror and their need for hyperbole if it told me Aston Villa was based in Aston, Birmingham.Neither would I.
The Trust need someone on board who can improve communications like this. It's poorly written, and though heartfelt is amateurish in execution. The tone is wrong too, it needs to be far less demanding, which does nothing but wind people up, and more questioning and collaboration.
All the leaks about budgets for playing squad etc are blatantly coming from Bruce’s camp. Goes hand in hand as why none of them have questioned his poor use of our squad/budgets and promotion failure.
He’s feeding them so when he does walk away/gets the chop the myth of Steve Bruce can continue
I am not expecting them to come out and tell us precisely what the financial situation is, and I am not a fan of the saying something for the sake of it thing, but what would inspire a bit of confidence right now would be for something to be said about who is running the club, because just now it all looks like a knackered old trawler heading straight for the rocks.
I am not expecting them to come out and tell us precisely what the financial situation is, and I am not a fan of the saying something for the sake of it thing, but what would inspire a bit of confidence right now would be for something to be said about who is running the club, because just now it all looks like a knackered old trawler heading straight for the rocks.
HMT Aston Villa (http://www.heroesandvillains.info/forumv3/index.php?topic=45226.0)
I saw he turned down 30 mill from American group for 30% of the club - that would have only kept us a float for 6 mths I suppose
Surely there must be something more interesting going on if he turned that sort of money down? Is the man a complete tool? Unless something behind the deal wasn't right.
He's refusing to sell to American's because of Trump's tariff policy? That's sounds ludicrous even by James Nursey's standards.
If we were Man Utd or someone else fashionable, do you reckon our Government would intervene if this is true?
If we were Man Utd or someone else fashionable, do you reckon our Government would intervene if this is true?
He's refusing to sell to American's because of Trump's tariff policy? That's sounds ludicrous even by James Nursey's standards.
He's refusing to sell to American's because of Trump's tariff policy? That's sounds ludicrous even by James Nursey's standards.
Losing face in China by selling to the Yanks, doesn’t seem that far fetched. His masters won’t like that.
He's refusing to sell to American's because of Trump's tariff policy? That's sounds ludicrous even by James Nursey's standards.
Losing face in China by selling to the Yanks, doesn’t seem that far fetched. His masters won’t like that.
His masters? What, is he a slave FFS?
He's refusing to sell to American's because of Trump's tariff policy? That's sounds ludicrous even by James Nursey's standards.
Losing face in China by selling to the Yanks, doesn’t seem that far fetched. His masters won’t like that.
Agree. The financial screws were going on in China before Trump kicked off his trade war.There is absolute no evidence to suggest that China capital controls have anything whatsoever to do with our current predicament.
Nor is there any evidence that they do not.In fact Brian we are pretty short of evidence or facts.
By the lack of transparancy from Xia or from the club, my personal take on it is that our state of affairs has little to do with the Peoples Republic of China but only at the doorstep of Xia.As they say the silence is deafening, if Xia had something good or reassuring to say he would say it as it would be in his interest to do so.
We gambled and we lost - simple as that. It's how we recover that is now the concern.
By the lack of transparancy from Xia or from the club, my personal take on it is that our state of affairs has little to do with the Peoples Republic of China but only at the doorstep of Xia.As they say the silence is deafening, if Xia had something good or reassuring to say he would say it as it would be in his interest to do so.
We gambled and we lost - simple as that. It's how we recover that is now the concern.
Of course it is, you have the creditors not giving credit and trying to collect debt, you have reluctance to buy season tickets and pretty much anything else.By the lack of transparancy from Xia or from the club, my personal take on it is that our state of affairs has little to do with the Peoples Republic of China but only at the doorstep of Xia.As they say the silence is deafening, if Xia had something good or reassuring to say he would say it as it would be in his interest to do so.
We gambled and we lost - simple as that. It's how we recover that is now the concern.
Not really, all he would get is a load of "You're lying" and "Don't tell us, show us".
I saw he turned down 30 mill from American group for 30% of the club - that would have only kept us a float for 6 mths I supposewhere did you see that ?
but have we? Or is it more Tone speak
By the lack of transparancy from Xia or from the club, my personal take on it is that our state of affairs has little to do with the Peoples Republic of China but only at the doorstep of Xia.As they say the silence is deafening, if Xia had something good or reassuring to say he would say it as it would be in his interest to do so.
We gambled and we lost - simple as that. It's how we recover that is now the concern.
Correct me if I'm wrong but wouldn't that £30m have gone to Tone and not the club itself. No guarantee he'd put that back into the club, but I suppose it would depend how much investment the new part owners would want to stick into the club. Probably not a lot if Tone still owns 70% of it. I think there is always going to be a lot of bullshit and misinformation around in these times, it's difficult to know what to believe.The Mail have embellished this old news today with more details of the American bid. Apparently they wanted to sell Jack for £40m minimum and use that money as working capital.
Correct me if I'm wrong but wouldn't that £30m have gone to Tone and not the club itself. No guarantee he'd put that back into the club, but I suppose it would depend how much investment the new part owners would want to stick into the club. Probably not a lot if Tone still owns 70% of it. I think there is always going to be a lot of bullshit and misinformation around in these times, it's difficult to know what to believe.The Mail have embellished this old news today with more details of the American bid. Apparently they wanted to sell Jack for £40m minimum and use that money as working capital.
Glad he's knocked them back.
Correct me if I'm wrong but wouldn't that £30m have gone to Tone and not the club itself. No guarantee he'd put that back into the club, but I suppose it would depend how much investment the new part owners would want to stick into the club. Probably not a lot if Tone still owns 70% of it. I think there is always going to be a lot of bullshit and misinformation around in these times, it's difficult to know what to believe.The Mail have embellished this old news today with more details of the American bid. Apparently they wanted to sell Jack for £40m minimum and use that money as working capital.
Sounds quite sensible under the circumstances, apart from the fact that we won't get £40m for Jack. Maybe £30m if there is enough interest.
Correct me if I'm wrong but wouldn't that £30m have gone to Tone and not the club itself. No guarantee he'd put that back into the club, but I suppose it would depend how much investment the new part owners would want to stick into the club. Probably not a lot if Tone still owns 70% of it. I think there is always going to be a lot of bullshit and misinformation around in these times, it's difficult to know what to believe.The Mail have embellished this old news today with more details of the American bid. Apparently they wanted to sell Jack for £40m minimum and use that money as working capital.
Sounds quite sensible under the circumstances, apart from the fact that we won't get £40m for Jack. Maybe £30m if there is enough interest.
The story I read suggested that they didn't want to sell Jack, so were thinking of setting the price at £40m and wouldn't sell for less. Which strikes me as quite sensible.
but have we? Or is it more Tone speak
Correct me if I'm wrong but wouldn't that £30m have gone to Tone and not the club itself. No guarantee he'd put that back into the club, but I suppose it would depend how much investment the new part owners would want to stick into the club. Probably not a lot if Tone still owns 70% of it. I think there is always going to be a lot of bullshit and misinformation around in these times, it's difficult to know what to believe.The Mail have embellished this old news today with more details of the American bid. Apparently they wanted to sell Jack for £40m minimum and use that money as working capital.
Sounds quite sensible under the circumstances, apart from the fact that we won't get £40m for Jack. Maybe £30m if there is enough interest.
The story I read suggested that they didn't want to sell Jack, so were thinking of setting the price at £40m and wouldn't sell for less. Which strikes me as quite sensible.
If true, and if they would be wealthy enough and willing to invest so that we don't need to sell Jack it would be both sensible and very exciting for us fans. I hope it turns out to be right.
It's similar to what I've been saying most of the time, although I did envisage having to sell Grealish no matter what. If it turns out that we don't, our financial position will have taken a hell of a turn for the better. With new owners I suppose anything is possible.
It's similar to what I've been saying most of the time, although I did envisage having to sell Grealish no matter what. If it turns out that we don't, our financial position will have taken a hell of a turn for the better. With new owners I suppose anything is possible.
Wouldn't new owners still be hampered by the FFP situation though and not able to invest even if the money was there?
Correct me if I'm wrong but wouldn't that £30m have gone to Tone and not the club itself. No guarantee he'd put that back into the club, but I suppose it would depend how much investment the new part owners would want to stick into the club. Probably not a lot if Tone still owns 70% of it. I think there is always going to be a lot of bullshit and misinformation around in these times, it's difficult to know what to believe.The Mail have embellished this old news today with more details of the American bid. Apparently they wanted to sell Jack for £40m minimum and use that money as working capital.
Sounds quite sensible under the circumstances, apart from the fact that we won't get £40m for Jack. Maybe £30m if there is enough interest.
The story I read suggested that they didn't want to sell Jack, so were thinking of setting the price at £40m and wouldn't sell for less. Which strikes me as quite sensible.
How people know this is another question, of course. As is whether anyone will get a chance to implement such a plan. But it gave me a bit of hope. The same story suggested that there were two other parties interested in buying the club, both of whom have money to invest.
If any of this is true, things could look very positive quite quickly. The lack of any noise coming out of Villa seems to suggest that something could be quite close. Or that there's no one left at the club and everything is utterly hopeless... I'm going to choose to believe the more positive outlook at the moment. Will make for a more pleasant summer, I reckon.
We've secured a £50m loan which is enough to keep us going for 12 months or while we try and sell the club.
I would rather keep Jack as I think we're far more likely to be promoted than not with him in the side.
Jim White just said there's some statement from us imminently.
After the Tom Hanks debacle it's probably just him discovering the Xia tweet from last week.
Steve Round has left the club. Fuck who is running the place?
Jim White just said there's some statement from us imminently.
After the Tom Hanks debacle it's probably just him discovering the Xia tweet from last week.
Some good comments from Simon Jordan. It dosen't have to be a financial apocalypse if we make some brave calls. Oh and change ownership.
Some good comments from Simon Jordan. It dosen't have to be a financial apocalypse if we make some brave calls. Oh and change ownership.
He has strongly hinted in the past that he already has some insider knowledge of what goes on at Villa. He has just gone a step further and said that whilst he has no wish to ever own a club again after his experiences at Palace, there is a possibility he "may have some involvement in a takeover of Villa".
Some good comments from Simon Jordan. It dosen't have to be a financial apocalypse if we make some brave calls. Oh and change ownership.
He has strongly hinted in the past that he already has some insider knowledge of what goes on at Villa. He has just gone a step further and said that whilst he has no wish to ever own a club again after his experiences at Palace, there is a possibility he "may have some involvement in a takeover of Villa".
I have never quite understand his apparent affinity towards us. He always speaks very highly of us whilst often ridiculing our neighbours, .
I reckon Tony is clearing the decks of anyone linked to Wyness.
E&S write Matt Maher states Tony decided to sack him and it happened when he tuned up this morning for work.
Is Simon Jordan implying that there is a consortium which he may or may not be part of close to buying the club?
thanks for that. My opinion of Jordan has changed quite a bit recently - he does seem to have a genuine regard for Villa although I guess you could argue that another failed owner is the last thing we need.
Any links to the Jordan stuff? I can't see anything on talksport.
Some good comments from Simon Jordan. It dosen't have to be a financial apocalypse if we make some brave calls. Oh and change ownership.
He has strongly hinted in the past that he already has some insider knowledge of what goes on at Villa. He has just gone a step further and said that whilst he has no wish to ever own a club again after his experiences at Palace, there is a possibility he "may have some involvement in a takeover of Villa".
I have never quite understand his apparent affinity towards us. He always speaks very highly of us whilst often ridiculing our neighbours, .
I think most of it is do with his loathing of the Dildo Brothers.
I reckon Tony is clearing the decks of anyone linked to Wyness.
E&S write Matt Maher states Tony decided to sack him and it happened when he tuned up this morning for work.
Wouldn't it be for any new owners to decide who and who not to keep? I don't know, I'm just guessing like everyone else.
Who is running things now then?
Is it that Chinese student who wrote in that he was a big Villa fan and then got appointed assistant to the chairman? Mr Ho or whatever his name is?
Who is running things now then?
Is it that Chinese student who wrote in that he was a big Villa fan and then got appointed assistant to the chairman? Mr Ho or whatever his name is?
A post match interview somewhere around October 2018.
Commenting on the 6-1 reverse at QPR, Manager Luke Organ said ‘I thought we were unlucky to lose the game. Perhaps I should have bought Rongtian on earlier as he looked excellent and gave us a threat up front. I’m pleased with the way the new away shirts are holding up. We pick ourselves up and go again next week.’
"He, also known as Ho?!"
Was He given the responsibility of sacking Round? How did that go?
He: Hi Steve.
SR: Hi He.
He: Ho.
SR: Oh. Hi Ho.
He: Hi. We're giving you the heave ho.
SR: The heave ho? Who?
He: You.
SR: Me? The heave ho? Ha! Hey ho.
He: What?
SR: Nothing. Just "hey ho".
He: What?
SR: Never mind. (Collects belongings and flees madhouse)
"He, also known as Ho?!"
Was He given the responsibility of sacking Round? How did that go?
He: Hi Steve.
SR: Hi He.
He: Ho.
SR: Oh. Hi Ho.
He: Hi. We're giving you the heave ho.
SR: The heave ho? Who?
He: You.
SR: Me? The heave ho? Ha! Hey ho.
He: What?
SR: Nothing. Just "hey ho".
He: What?
SR: Never mind. (Collects belongings and flees madhouse)
proper tickled me
"He, also known as Ho?!"
Was He given the responsibility of sacking Round? How did that go?
He: Hi Steve.
SR: Hi He.
He: Ho.
SR: Oh. Hi Ho.
He: Hi. We're giving you the heave ho.
SR: The heave ho? Who?
He: You.
SR: Me? The heave ho? Ha! Hey ho.
He: What?
SR: Nothing. Just "hey ho".
He: What?
SR: Never mind. (Collects belongings and flees madhouse)
proper tickled me
Hi Ho but no Silver Lining...
On the plus side Adama Traore might finally make an assist for us.Quality ......that brought a smile to my face
The current uncertainty surrounding the club takes me back to the state we were in back in 1968 where an ageing board lacked the financial clout and modern thinking to stop us from plummeting down the league's and almost obscurity
We were almost broke and heading for bankruptcy before the likes of Matthews and Ellis took an interest
I think the stakes are potentially higher this time around due the the apparent volumes of debt - foreign ownership has done us little or no favours with the lack of transparency about the current owner - I do hope that the mutterings about Xia not wishing to sell to an American buyer are unfounded - we need the options to include all legitimate, interested parties.
I'm not sure if a statement from Xia will be of much credence bearing in mind his history of spouting utter pie in the sky nonsense - unless of course it's to say he has sold us to a credible buyer or consortium. Like many on here I really fear for the club's short and long term future on and off the park - we require strong leadership and clarity now more than any other time in our recent history if not ever. Let's hope there is an astute benefactor out there with a realistic vision for the future
Lots bars round Concert square. The area round Mathews St has some good boozers. There's a fan park for the world cup. Not sure where though. Probably down by the Albert dock.The current uncertainty surrounding the club takes me back to the state we were in back in 1968 where an ageing board lacked the financial clout and modern thinking to stop us from plummeting down the league's and almost obscurity
We were almost broke and heading for bankruptcy before the likes of Matthews and Ellis took an interest
I think the stakes are potentially higher this time around due the the apparent volumes of debt - foreign ownership has done us little or no favours with the lack of transparency about the current owner - I do hope that the mutterings about Xia not wishing to sell to an American buyer are unfounded - we need the options to include all legitimate, interested parties.
I'm not sure if a statement from Xia will be of much credence bearing in mind his history of spouting utter pie in the sky nonsense - unless of course it's to say he has sold us to a credible buyer or consortium. Like many on here I really fear for the club's short and long term future on and off the park - we require strong leadership and clarity now more than any other time in our recent history if not ever. Let's hope there is an astute benefactor out there with a realistic vision for the future
Have to agree. The lack of leadership is pretty astounding at the moment, even for us.
I'll be visiting Liverpool on Saturday by the way, any tips on somewhere decent to go for a drink?
he's still working on the best hieroglyphics
he's still working on the best hieroglyphics
Xia will be desperate to sell Grealish as this seems the only way that we will stay out of administration. Once we are there, the person overseeing the process will have to listen to sensible offers for all players and any offers for the club. Perhaps this is what any potential buyer is waiting for. Therefore, selling Grealish is likely to see us keeping Xia and Bruce, because we currently can't afford to sack him. If we sack him after Grealish is sold, it will leave us with way too little time to recruit a decent Manager and subsequently buy players. This is a conspiracy theory of course but I wouldn't trust Xia now, particularly as there are literally no football minded people on his operational board.
Thanks VCTM and The Edge. Looking forward to it! Been over 30 times to Liverpool and Everton but never seen the City Centre!I've worked in the NW a lot while contracting and I have to say that imo Manchester is hugely overhyped for some reason. Liverpool knocks spots off it and I'm a proud Brummie.
I don't know why anyone with the money would think that waiting for a club to go tits up before then buying it "on the cheap" is a good idea. Unless you're planning on some real estate killing, if you're looking to buy it as a going concern you'd want it as fit and healthy as possible. Surely?
Thanks VCTM and The Edge. Looking forward to it! Been over 30 times to Liverpool and Everton but never seen the City Centre!
Is is - on Hardman St. Few good pubs around that area - Fly in the Loaf, The Grapes & The Caledonia are all pretty good too, only a short walk from the Philharmonic.Thanks VCTM and The Edge. Looking forward to it! Been over 30 times to Liverpool and Everton but never seen the City Centre!
The Philharmonic is a good pub.
It’s ALWAYS about the bottom line.
It’s ALWAYS about the bottom line.
Then find a better vehicle for your investment than a football club that's already in the shit, otherwise you ain't ever seeing a penny coming back.
Is is - on Hardman St. Few good pubs around that area - Fly in the Loaf, The Grapes & The Caledonia are all pretty good too, only a short walk from the Philharmonic.Thanks VCTM and The Edge. Looking forward to it! Been over 30 times to Liverpool and Everton but never seen the City Centre!
The Philharmonic is a good pub.
Thanks VCTM and The Edge. Looking forward to it! Been over 30 times to Liverpool and Everton but never seen the City Centre!Town will be buzzing tomorrow mate - there is an Irish Feish on - Water front with 3 stages - Van Morrison headlines at about 8pm - I would be there myself but it coincides with the Southport Airshow - I live close to Woodvale airfield and will be watching the vintage planes coming and going - I'm getting old !!!! Have a great weekend buddy
Thanks VCTM and The Edge. Looking forward to it! Been over 30 times to Liverpool and Everton but never seen the City Centre!Town will be buzzing tomorrow mate - there is an Irish Feish on - Water front with 3 stages - Van Morrison headlines at about 8pm - I would be there myself but it coincides with the Southport Airshow - I live close to Woodvale airfield and will be watching the vintage planes coming and going - I'm getting old !!!! Have a great weekend buddy
Perhaps all 20,000 ST holders should ask for a refund. Disgusting treatment of the fans by these clowns running the club.
Chester and Albert seem to be missing from the Portugal snaps on the website.
Does anyone know any billionaire MLS franchise owners?
Open letter from who?
Open letter from who?
Open letter from who?
Tony.
Not very inspiring.
Is is - on Hardman St. Few good pubs around that area - Fly in the Loaf, The Grapes & The Caledonia are all pretty good too, only a short walk from the Philharmonic.Thanks VCTM and The Edge. Looking forward to it! Been over 30 times to Liverpool and Everton but never seen the City Centre!
The Philharmonic is a good pub.
Dear supporter,
Firstly, I would like to thank you for your patience during what has been an uncertain period on and off the pitch for the club. Losing out on promotion to the Premier League was a disappointment to us all – not least you, the fans, whose support took us to the brink of promotion.
I would like to apologise for the lack of communication in recent weeks. This has been largely as a consequence of the many business decisions that have been required to be taken as the implications of losing the play-off final become a reality that we must face.
I am now in a position to provide a comprehensive update on the club’s situation in the hope that we can continue our preparation for the season ahead with renewed focus and determination.
For the avoidance of doubt, I remain a proud and committed owner of this football club and with that accept and embrace the responsibilities to the fans, players and staff.
In recent weeks there have been changes at senior management level and these changes have been made with the intention of establishing a focused, calculated approach.
Of course, given the financial realities, it would be prudent of us to be open and receptive to any potential minority strategic investment that would aid our objectives to consolidate after a tumultuous summer and ultimately achieve our ambition of returning to the Premier League. We will be very selective in any discussions to ensure that the club’s best interests remain the focal point.
Having assumed the role of acting CEO, I have been working closely with the senior management team to improve efficiency and effectiveness. A more measured approach will enable us to overcome the implications of Financial Fair Play after two years of significant investment in the football department. We need to generate sufficient revenue to ensure the smooth-running of the club without compromising the standards of this great institution.
With that comes a reality check over performance and expectation for the season ahead but also the opportunity to work smartly in the transfer market, bring through young talent and draw on the experience of our manager.
I have had numerous conversations with Steve Bruce in recent weeks, which only reinforced how fortunate we are to have someone of his experience and standing in the game. His leadership will be important for us on the field, as a club and as a community and I thank him for his loyalty.
These qualities will be essential as we begin a new season with the fresh hope and expectation it inevitably brings. While we would never want to compromise our ambitions, we must however be prepared to do so in a measured and realistic manner, hence the necessary business decisions I have outlined.
Lastly, I am aware that there are a number of stories being written about the club and to be definitive I would like it to be known that:
1. I have not put the club up for sale
2. I would consider minority investment stakes that bring strategic value to the club to help us achieve our goals but this will be considered extremely carefully
3. I have not received an offer of 51%
4. I have received an offer of 30% but we did not believe there was strategic value and we did not know the source of the money
5. We have been approached numerous times and we have turned away numerous approaches
6. FFP is a burden and we need to work within the defined parameters over the course of the next 12 months and beyond and as we have done in the previous 12 months
7. To be clear, to meet FFP we need to player trade. No shareholding sale of any size will contribute to meeting FFP. We must reduce costs and increase revenue
8. Selling any size of shareholding in the club will not aid in respect to FFP
9. Steve Bruce remains in charge with my support
10. There is significant football experience within our playing department and our football administration team who will be supported by the club admin team
11. I have made significant investments into the club and all loans provided up to 31st May have now been converted into equity as part of the club’s compliance with FFP rules
12. We are bank loan free but continue to evaluate opportunities to create sensible solutions with regards to financing as is common in most business practises
13. The EFL have shown no concern over the ‘lack of football experience within the club’
14. Work continues at pace at the Recon Training Complex as a result of the HS2 project
15. Work continues on the pitch at Villa Park and is on schedule
I would like to once again thank you for all your support.
Dr Tony Xia
Well that's pretty clear to be fair. Bit depressing, but clear enough.
Well people wanted clarification on a number of things and that's what they've got. It'll be interesting to see what happens on the transfer front though.
The one thing that would have been a tiny bit reassuring and more specific to Jack is that while it’s pretty clear we’ll be selling him and others, for Xia to have said we’re not just going to accept any old offers. That we will sell players at their proper market value.
It will be really interesting on the transfer front?! I'd imagine Di Matteo's decent signings will be gone and our best local player for fifty years too.
Bruce's signings? We'll be stuck with them or paying a percentage of their wages until their contract expires.
It will be really interesting on the transfer front?! I'd imagine Di Matteo's decent signings will be gone and our best local player for fifty years too.
Bruce's signings? We'll be stuck with them or paying a percentage of their wages until their contract expires.
Gary Shaw says hello.
We have a number of very talented kids and not all of the experienced players will leave. We now have a full season to integrate these kids as opposed to just chucking them in. This is a massive test for Bruce, but he has got promoted with less talent. As shit as this is, compared to a lot of sides in the division we will still be much better off. Warnock got Cardiff up with less than Bruce will start off with. His attitude in trying to win every single game from day one will be crucial. Bleak but not the end of the world.
It will be really interesting on the transfer front?! I'd imagine Di Matteo's decent signings will be gone and our best local player for fifty years too.
Bruce's signings? We'll be stuck with them or paying a percentage of their wages until their contract expires.
Gary Shaw says hello.
It will be really interesting on the transfer front?! I'd imagine Di Matteo's decent signings will be gone and our best local player for fifty years too.
Bruce's signings? We'll be stuck with them or paying a percentage of their wages until their contract expires.
Gary Shaw says hello.
Mark Walters would like a word, as well.
Bruce in charge for the foreseeable, with vastly lowered expectations. Bright future.
Well that’s the softening up letter to get you already for the Grealish sale.
Steve Bruce as our manager because he can’t afford the FFP hit.
High on rhetoric, low on detail and nothing on the future Financial stability of the club or how we will deal with FFP.
It will be really interesting on the transfer front?! I'd imagine Di Matteo's decent signings will be gone and our best local player for fifty years too.
Bruce's signings? We'll be stuck with them or paying a percentage of their wages until their contract expires.
Gary Shaw says hello.
Mark Walters would like a word, as well.
Mark Walters and his step over trick.. nah.
Well that’s the softening up letter to get you already for the Grealish sale.
Steve Bruce as our manager because he can’t afford the FFP hit.
High on rhetoric, low on detail and nothing on the future Financial stability of the club or how we will deal with FFP.
Lowering costs and increasing revenue, genius.Well that’s the softening up letter to get you already for the Grealish sale.
Steve Bruce as our manager because he can’t afford the FFP hit.
High on rhetoric, low on detail and nothing on the future Financial stability of the club or how we will deal with FFP.
Selling players, lowering costs, raising revenue. Perhaps not the massive detail, but it's what he said.
Apparently Bolton’s players have gone on strike because they haven’t been paid, so we might have a chance of at least finishing above them.
And any document containing the phrase ‘for the avoidance of doubt’ has been drafted by bloody lawyers.
Lowering costs and increasing revenue, genius.Well that’s the softening up letter to get you already for the Grealish sale.
Steve Bruce as our manager because he can’t afford the FFP hit.
High on rhetoric, low on detail and nothing on the future Financial stability of the club or how we will deal with FFP.
Selling players, lowering costs, raising revenue. Perhaps not the massive detail, but it's what he said.
Well to be honest I found that quite therapeutic. Sure Jack is going and we are going to have to wheel and deal, but we still have a club and sounds like he’s up for a fight. We all think our great club is one of the top 6 in the country but we all know we have had our ups and downs. And it’s fucking annoying our neighbours can afford our second rate goalkeeper but hey ho we are Aston Villa and they fucking know it!
It will be really interesting on the transfer front?! I'd imagine Di Matteo's decent signings will be gone and our best local player for fifty years too.
Bruce's signings? We'll be stuck with them or paying a percentage of their wages until their contract expires.
Gary Shaw says hello.
Mark Walters would like a word, as well.
Mark Walters and his step over trick.. nah.
Tony Daley would be a better shout than Walters I reckon.
Well to be honest I found that quite therapeutic. Sure Jack is going and we are going to have to wheel and deal, but we still have a club and sounds like he’s up for a fight. We all think our great club is one of the top 6 in the country but we all know we have had our ups and downs. And it’s fucking annoying our neighbours can afford our second rate goalkeeper but hey ho we are Aston Villa and they fucking know it!
Well to be honest I think the opposite, I found it very depressing.
It feels like were a sinking ship and we are throwing everything overboard to stay afloat including our prize treasure.
Whats the point of bringing through young talent if we have to flog them at the first sign of them looking decent?
Yeah sure teams like Crewe have thrived on doing that but for a club like ourselves I find it embarrassing and depressing.
I wouldn't mind selling players like Jack if it would mean investment in players, but it doesn't look like were going to see that money.
Bruce is probably the best Manager available at keeping us up but Its going to be mid table at best unless a decent offer comes in. Our youth players like look very encouraging, but Someone like Bruce isint the manager to bring them through and give us entertaining football.
All the blame on FFP seems to be an excuse to me, I'm not saying its not part of it but If we had the money we could find the loopholes that other Clubs have been able to use.
Not being able to compete in the championship makes for a very dull season indeed.
The difference is Spurs sell and try to buy better or invest in more players which is fine, we are not going to be able to do the same I'm afraid.Well to be honest I found that quite therapeutic. Sure Jack is going and we are going to have to wheel and deal, but we still have a club and sounds like he’s up for a fight. We all think our great club is one of the top 6 in the country but we all know we have had our ups and downs. And it’s fucking annoying our neighbours can afford our second rate goalkeeper but hey ho we are Aston Villa and they fucking know it!
Well to be honest I think the opposite, I found it very depressing.
It feels like were a sinking ship and we are throwing everything overboard to stay afloat including our prize treasure.
Whats the point of bringing through young talent if we have to flog them at the first sign of them looking decent?
Yeah sure teams like Crewe have thrived on doing that but for a club like ourselves I find it embarrassing and depressing.
I wouldn't mind selling players like Jack if it would mean investment in players, but it doesn't look like were going to see that money.
Bruce is probably the best Manager available at keeping us up but Its going to be mid table at best unless a decent offer comes in. Our youth players like look very encouraging, but Someone like Bruce isint the manager to bring them through and give us entertaining football.
All the blame on FFP seems to be an excuse to me, I'm not saying its not part of it but If we had the money we could find the loopholes that other Clubs have been able to use.
Not being able to compete in the championship makes for a very dull season indeed.
I hate em with a passion, but Spurs have been doing that sell to buy thing for 20 years now and they’ll do it again when they sell Kane and Ali. The only FFP loophole is promotion quickly after relegation and we didn’t do it.
Now we’ve got to do it by another way other than just throwing our money away.
Daley is one of my all time favourite players, Walters was a better player though.
Daley is one of my all time favourite players, Walters was a better player though.
Agreed. I love Daley but I was mortified when Walters left.
And yeah, Daley is a Villa fan.
Daley is one of my all time favourite players, Walters was a better player though.
Agreed. I love Daley but I was mortified when Walters left.
And yeah, Daley is a Villa fan.
Some years ago there was an interview on SSN with some Villa fans before or after a game, can't remember which one, one of them was Tony and Sky didn't have a clue it was him and just lumped him in with the other fans, twats.
Open letter from who?
The Government. The other day.
Open letter from who?
The Government. The other day.
Well I liked it.
100% agree andyh. Needs saying loud and clear.
Xia forgot to include the most revealing bullet point going forwards...
16. We need to sell our better players (Grealish, Chester etc) so we can continue to pay the likes of Richards and a failing manager.
While this scenario exists we will continue on the road to nowhere.
For me Xia's statement is negative and implies we're not even going to be competitive in the f-cking championship. It deliberately downplays our expectations and I'm fed up of owners and managers downplaying our expectations. We're Aston Villa and we should always be aiming for best of everything! For me,whatever the rhetoric Xia, Bruce and the likes of Richards can f-ck off!
Why does a cash-strapped club have to have a training camp in Portugal? I presume the squad didn't fly on Ryan Air with the boots and training kit in a cabin bag, and are not sleeping on a sofa bed provided by some local via airbnb. We've got a perfectly adequate training ground at Bodymoor Heath that means we don't have to fork out unnecessary travel and accommodation costs. It's also currently offering warm weather training.By the same reasoning, why are we having a new pitch? The old one had grass on it, didn’t it?
In reality, nothing has changed since the day before the play off final.Correct.
We knew (the fans) that if we didn’t get promoted it would be tough, mainly because of FFP.
we knew we would probably lose Jack and maybe one or two others, and knew the loanees would go back.
The only real question was whether Bruce would survive which, unfortunately, he has.
Everything that has transpired since, seems based on heresay, scaremongering, bullshit and tabloid bollox.
We are no different from every other club who has to operate within their means and make the best of what they have.
The only mistake, for me, is that we are keeping Bruce, but I see the sense and benefit in keeping the continuity that brings, given all the other upheaval going on behind the scenes.
The long and the short of it is this.
We are now an established championship club and have to operate as such. We gave it a fucking good go for 2 years, failed, and are now paying the consequences.
In reality, nothing has changed since the day before the play off final.
So how did Wolves manage to spend big after they had been down so long with FFP?
I quite like the statement, it gives facts, it’s realistic and it’s hopefully a wake up call to those fans who act like heroin addicts for big transfers and splashing cash around.
He’s doubled down on Bruce in my opinion who is as culpable as Wyness/Round for the failures of the last two seasons but he’s obviously decided and Bruce has agreed to follow through on this strategy, I think that will end up being a mistake.
Can’t say I’m looking forward to the season ahead, Bruce with a lesser squad doesn’t fill me with inspiration. It’s got mid table written all over it.
So how did Wolves manage to spend big after they had been down so long with FFP?
Same as Forest are currently doing, they didn't have any debt to begin with, I guess.
So how did Wolves manage to spend big after they had been down so long with FFP?Isn’t there a rule about new owners and being allowed to spend more for short period of time?
So how did Wolves manage to spend big after they had been down so long with FFP?Isn’t there a rule about new owners and being allowed to spend more for short period of time?
Or is that an urban myth?
In reality, nothing has changed since the day before the play off final.
We knew (the fans) that if we didn’t get promoted it would be tough, mainly because of FFP.
we knew we would probably lose Jack and maybe one or two others, and knew the loanees would go back.
The only real question was whether Bruce would survive which, unfortunately, he has.
Everything that has transpired since, seems based on heresay, scaremongering, bullshit and tabloid bollox.
We are no different from every other club who has to operate within their means and make the best of what they have.
The only mistake, for me, is that we are keeping Bruce, but I see the sense and benefit in keeping the continuity that brings, given all the other upheaval going on behind the scenes.
The long and the short of it is this.
We are now an established championship club and have to operate as such. We gave it a fucking good go for 2 years, failed, and are now paying the consequences.
I get all the level headed responses, I really do. But what really bugs me is how flippant people are with the realisation we are going to sell our best players. 3 names mentioned in the last 2 pages - Grealish, Chester, Kodjia. How many points have they won us on their own over the last two seasons? A bucket load. It’s been proven time and time again, a team of good players will only excel with 2 or 3 stars that add the X factor. There is nobody else that can carry us. They go, we stay down for the foreseeable future. Our kids won’t fill the gaps and keep us at the same level as last season.
Yep, a bland statement and people are rolling over to have their tummy tickled, it’s a disgrace and Xia and Bruce, the architects of this clusterfuck and are still here.I get all the level headed responses, I really do. But what really bugs me is how flippant people are with the realisation we are going to sell our best players. 3 names mentioned in the last 2 pages - Grealish, Chester, Kodjia. How many points have they won us on their own over the last two seasons? A bucket load. It’s been proven time and time again, a team of good players will only excel with 2 or 3 stars that add the X factor. There is nobody else that can carry us. They go, we stay down for the foreseeable future. Our kids won’t fill the gaps and keep us at the same level as last season.
I totally agree.
I wish I could give a level headed response and put a brave face on, I'm certainly old enough too.
Unfortunately I'm fuming.
Yep, a bland statement and people are rolling over to have their tummy tickled, it’s a disgrace and Xia and Bruce, the architects of this clusterfuck and are still here.I get all the level headed responses, I really do. But what really bugs me is how flippant people are with the realisation we are going to sell our best players. 3 names mentioned in the last 2 pages - Grealish, Chester, Kodjia. How many points have they won us on their own over the last two seasons? A bucket load. It’s been proven time and time again, a team of good players will only excel with 2 or 3 stars that add the X factor. There is nobody else that can carry us. They go, we stay down for the foreseeable future. Our kids won’t fill the gaps and keep us at the same level as last season.
I totally agree.
I wish I could give a level headed response and put a brave face on, I'm certainly old enough too.
Unfortunately I'm fuming.
God help us.
An example; he has basically said Spurs will sign Grealish and it will most likely be for 20m a Levy will have his pants down. I’m sure that if we had someone like Levy in charge, 20m could be raised through the sale of others - Lansbury 4-5m, hogan 5m, McCormack 2m, let Richards go on a free,Elmohammady 2m, De Laet 1m, Whelan 1m, Adomah 4m. But we won’t do that as we are not smart enough, we will take the easy money on our best players and condemn ourselves to the next few years down here
Right on cue, ding dong.Yep, a bland statement and people are rolling over to have their tummy tickled, it’s a disgrace and Xia and Bruce, the architects of this clusterfuck and are still here.I get all the level headed responses, I really do. But what really bugs me is how flippant people are with the realisation we are going to sell our best players. 3 names mentioned in the last 2 pages - Grealish, Chester, Kodjia. How many points have they won us on their own over the last two seasons? A bucket load. It’s been proven time and time again, a team of good players will only excel with 2 or 3 stars that add the X factor. There is nobody else that can carry us. They go, we stay down for the foreseeable future. Our kids won’t fill the gaps and keep us at the same level as last season.
I totally agree.
I wish I could give a level headed response and put a brave face on, I'm certainly old enough too.
Unfortunately I'm fuming.
God help us.
What are you suggesting these people who you say are 'having their tummy tickled' do then?
Right on cue, ding dong.Yep, a bland statement and people are rolling over to have their tummy tickled, it’s a disgrace and Xia and Bruce, the architects of this clusterfuck and are still here.I get all the level headed responses, I really do. But what really bugs me is how flippant people are with the realisation we are going to sell our best players. 3 names mentioned in the last 2 pages - Grealish, Chester, Kodjia. How many points have they won us on their own over the last two seasons? A bucket load. It’s been proven time and time again, a team of good players will only excel with 2 or 3 stars that add the X factor. There is nobody else that can carry us. They go, we stay down for the foreseeable future. Our kids won’t fill the gaps and keep us at the same level as last season.
I totally agree.
I wish I could give a level headed response and put a brave face on, I'm certainly old enough too.
Unfortunately I'm fuming.
God help us.
What are you suggesting these people who you say are 'having their tummy tickled' do then?
Well, it’s a detailed, not ‘bland’ statement.Yep, a bland statement and people are rolling over to have their tummy tickled, it’s a disgrace and Xia and Bruce, the architects of this clusterfuck and are still here.I get all the level headed responses, I really do. But what really bugs me is how flippant people are with the realisation we are going to sell our best players. 3 names mentioned in the last 2 pages - Grealish, Chester, Kodjia. How many points have they won us on their own over the last two seasons? A bucket load. It’s been proven time and time again, a team of good players will only excel with 2 or 3 stars that add the X factor. There is nobody else that can carry us. They go, we stay down for the foreseeable future. Our kids won’t fill the gaps and keep us at the same level as last season.
I totally agree.
I wish I could give a level headed response and put a brave face on, I'm certainly old enough too.
Unfortunately I'm fuming.
God help us.
Yep, a bland statement and people are rolling over to have their tummy tickled, it’s a disgrace and Xia and Bruce, the architects of this clusterfuck and are still here.Well, it’s a detailed, not ‘bland’ statement.
God help us.
Yep, a bland statement and people are rolling over to have their tummy tickled, it’s a disgrace and Xia and Bruce, the architects of this clusterfuck and are still here.Well, it’s a detailed, not ‘bland’ statement.
God help us.
I really interested in what you think any alternative solution is?
I think people have a right to be upset with how the club has been run.
Shit or bust is a bad business model.
... It’s been proven time and time again, a team of good players will only excel with 2 or 3 stars that add the X factor.who were Cardiff’s 2 or 3 stars? Or Newcastle’s or ‘uddersfield’s the season before?
If Tony appoints a top class CEO with vision, drive and a will to win, all could be saved. This is the most crucial, fundamental decision he has to make.
I don’t think the Financial drama is over yet.Because?
I think people have a right to be upset with how the club has been run.
Shit or bust is a bad business model.
Thank you Sir Lord Baltimore you have put together our way forward, get behind the team & give them your support 👍
Absolutely! and now we're going to have to put up with the repercussions of it. We've just been told that, loud and clear. And also that we know we fucked up and have a more cautious sensible period ahead of us.
So do we carry on moaning about it, which will achieve absolutely nothing or do we take it on the chin, except we've been told the situation and get on with our job which is to turn up and support the team on the pitch ?
Nobody is happy with what's happened. But it's happened. Nothing is going to change it.
It's just this groundhog day style groaning over the same things over and over that wear me out.
Buy a ticket, turn up and support the team/club, it's the only one we've got after all.
I don’t think the Financial drama is over yet.
I take it we’re back to the young and hungry model again?
19th May 2016:
The situation at Aston Villa “could not be worse,” Xia said.
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/may/19/tony-xia-revamp-aston-villa-top-three-world-owner
I take it we’re back to the young and hungry model again?
I take it we’re back to the young and hungry model again?Young and talented would be good
I take it we’re back to the young and hungry model again?
No it’s all fine, he has just issued a statement, it looks a little different to that one but hey ho.19th May 2016:
The situation at Aston Villa “could not be worse,” Xia said.
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/may/19/tony-xia-revamp-aston-villa-top-three-world-owner
You have to laugh.
If Tony appoints a top class CEO with vision, drive and a will to win, all could be saved.
If Tony appoints a top class CEO with vision, drive and a will to win, all could be saved.
They’ve been chatting up Mark Ashton
If Tony appoints a top class CEO with vision, drive and a will to win, all could be saved.
They’ve been chatting up Mark Ashton
However it’s analysed, we are in the worst state that we have ever been in. The question is therefore whether Xia is the man to get us out of it. Sadly, I fear he isn’t, and is too stubborn to admit it; heaven only knows how the support will react if and when he shows his face at a home game again.
I don’t think it is just about losing Face, he will lose a shit load of money aswell if he sold up now.
I'm thinking we should call him Xia Xia Binks such is his effectiveness.
His thinking will be that if he sells now, he'll take a substantial loss; whereas if he can attract some inward investment and then somehow still get us promoted in the next couple of years, it'll be win win all round. However, he doesn't seem to have realised that people buying minority shares in football clubs isn't exactly the norm in England these days, and especially when the current owner has clearly made such a huge mess of things. Not exactly going to inspire people to part with tens of millions.
His thinking will be that if he sells now, he'll take a substantial loss; whereas if he can attract some inward investment and then somehow still get us promoted in the next couple of years, it'll be win win all round. However, he doesn't seem to have realised that people buying minority shares in football clubs isn't exactly the norm in England these days, and especially when the current owner has clearly made such a huge mess of things. Not exactly going to inspire people to part with tens of millions.
If Tony appoints a top class CEO with vision, drive and a will to win, all could be saved.
They’ve been chatting up Mark Ashton
I seem to remember he was dead popular at Watford - or maybe not!!!
I'm thinking we should call him Xia Xia Binks such is his effectiveness.
How many seconds do you think it would take any corporate advisor or Investment Banker to tell him to fuck off if he came up with the idea of raising £30 to £ 40 million for a minority interest.
So we can take this part of the story as total horse shit.
Then you have to take into account everything else that has been said.
I'm thinking we should call him Xia Xia Binks such is his effectiveness.
You're hilarious!
I'm thinking we should call him Xia Xia Binks such is his effectiveness.
You're hilarious!
I think his statement said there was an offer but they did not know where the money was coming from( sort of ironic).How many seconds do you think it would take any corporate advisor or Investment Banker to tell him to fuck off if he came up with the idea of raising £30 to £ 40 million for a minority interest.
So we can take this part of the story as total horse shit.
Then you have to take into account everything else that has been said.
You're saying he's made it up? That there was no investment offer batted away?
There's potentially a case for minority investment if they feel they will get their money back. i.e. promotion. Someone who is a pure investor may just feel it's worth a shot, with a view that promotion would double their investment.If they fancy that sort of gamble we were 7:1 to be promoted so they’d get seven times back.
Exactly, there are investments and gambles.There's potentially a case for minority investment if they feel they will get their money back. i.e. promotion. Someone who is a pure investor may just feel it's worth a shot, with a view that promotion would double their investment.If they fancy that sort of gamble we were 7:1 to be promoted so they’d get seven times back.
Exactly, there are investments and gambles.There's potentially a case for minority investment if they feel they will get their money back. i.e. promotion. Someone who is a pure investor may just feel it's worth a shot, with a view that promotion would double their investment.If they fancy that sort of gamble we were 7:1 to be promoted so they’d get seven times back.
Any one putting up that sort of money would have a strategic objective, and it’s pretty difficult to work out how that is accommodated as a minority shareholder.
There's potentially a case for minority investment if they feel they will get their money back. i.e. promotion. Someone who is a pure investor may just feel it's worth a shot, with a view that promotion would double their investment.
I think his statement said there was an offer but they did not know where the money was coming from( sort of ironic).How many seconds do you think it would take any corporate advisor or Investment Banker to tell him to fuck off if he came up with the idea of raising £30 to £ 40 million for a minority interest.
So we can take this part of the story as total horse shit.
Then you have to take into account everything else that has been said.
You're saying he's made it up? That there was no investment offer batted away?
I am suggesting that raising 10 s of millions for a minority stake in Aston Villa is fanciful in the extreme.
There are situations where minority holdings are taken under these circumstances with caveats leading to changes in controll or ownership.
But a minority position without controll ? unless of course it’s some sort of ( related party transaction) see above.
Nothing confusing at all and I think I know the difference between ownership and controll.I think his statement said there was an offer but they did not know where the money was coming from( sort of ironic).How many seconds do you think it would take any corporate advisor or Investment Banker to tell him to fuck off if he came up with the idea of raising £30 to £ 40 million for a minority interest.
So we can take this part of the story as total horse shit.
Then you have to take into account everything else that has been said.
You're saying he's made it up? That there was no investment offer batted away?
I am suggesting that raising 10 s of millions for a minority stake in Aston Villa is fanciful in the extreme.
There are situations where minority holdings are taken under these circumstances with caveats leading to changes in controll or ownership.
But a minority position without controll ? unless of course it’s some sort of ( related party transaction) see above.
I'm confused by your position. There was an offer of investment which makes the notion of minority investment fanciful?
There's a difference between ownership and control of a company as well.
As I said, buying a minority stake with the possibility of taking a majority or controlling position is possible, the chances that someone will chuck 30 million+ Without that would be pretty unusual.Exactly, there are investments and gambles.There's potentially a case for minority investment if they feel they will get their money back. i.e. promotion. Someone who is a pure investor may just feel it's worth a shot, with a view that promotion would double their investment.If they fancy that sort of gamble we were 7:1 to be promoted so they’d get seven times back.
Any one putting up that sort of money would have a strategic objective, and it’s pretty difficult to work out how that is accommodated as a minority shareholder.
If we’re successful they make money, if not and we are sold they are well placed to buy out the rest of the club or they sell their shares to the next buyer. It seems unlikely but not as far fetched as some of you seem to think.
Milan Mandaric is interested in taking over at Aston Villa and has already seen an offer knocked back, it can be revealed.
BirminghamLive has been told that the former Portsmouth, Leicester City and Sheffield Wednesday owner registered his interest last month and followed it up soon after with a bid.
It’s our understanding that Tony Xia spurned those advances in the hope of finding another way out of the financial mess that Villa currently find themselves in.
A Mandaric-led consortium wanted 51 per-cent of control and were prepared to meet Xia’s financial demands.
But they’re yet to make a breakthrough and are now understood to be weighing up the next move.
Mandaric has taken over struggling football clubs in the past, earning him the nickname, Mr Fixit.
At 79 years of age, he’s vastly experienced and is still involved in football as the president of Slovenian outfit Olimpija Ljubljana
Reasons for the latest rejection are yet to be revealed.
Meanwhile, there has also been plenty of other interest in the club.
As reported exclusively by BirminghamLive earlier this month, a blue-chip American firm saw a £30m bid for 30 per-cent of control knocked back.
These figures also matched Xia’s financial demands and were only submitted after extensive research into what the owner was prepared to sacrifice.
A takeover offer from the same group was also under consideration but never got to that stage due to the initial rejection.
So why was it dismissed?
Well, Xia claims in his statement that he didn’t know the ‘source of the money’ - yet it’s our understanding that it would have been made clear, had he asked.
On top of that, finance experts have told BirminghamLive that regulations are put in place to prevent money laundering when dealing with high-profile exchanges of ownership and control.
Therefore, any money that comes through the formal banking system, which these funds would have been, have to be vouched for by the bank that is sending it.
So those claims in his statement remain a mystery.
Another side to the story is that Xia would prefer to source investment from his homeland.
His priority appears to holding onto the club, though, and finding a funding solution himself
Why would mandaric be bad?
I thought he saved Wednesday and left when the time was right.
He knows the English game and must have contacts.
He can’t be as bad as the nightmare we have now?
Why would mandaric be bad?
I thought he saved Wednesday and left when the time was right.
He knows the English game and must have contacts.
He can’t be as bad as the nightmare we have now?
Step aside Brucie its time for Milan’s dodgy pal ‘arry to take charge :-(
Quite apart from anything I just cannot believe the mass revisionism when it comes to the doctor who has now turned into the biggest pariah to ever own the club from mass messiah type recognition and woe betide anyone who went against him or had the timerity to question who the fcuk he was in 2016. Just sayin’ like.
I'm applauding this! My pal at work is a Jehovah's witness and revels in things like the threat of nuclear Armageddon. terrorism, etc. When the madman who runs North Korea was pissing off Trump with his weapons testing he had a smile from ear to ear "see I told you Armageddon was going to happen. We were right all along." Happens to be a villa fan too.Quite apart from anything I just cannot believe the mass revisionism when it comes to the doctor who has now turned into the biggest pariah to ever own the club from mass messiah type recognition and woe betide anyone who went against him or had the timerity to question who the fcuk he was in 2016. Just sayin’ like.
Who’s given him the messiah treatment? I think plenty of people have been sceptical of his motives/source of money but were willing to give him a chance. That he’s proven to have been a charlatan, failure and poor custodian though doesn’t prove anyone wrong or right.
What is with people wanting to prove themselves right about Tony Xia, look at me look at me I said he was a wrong ‘un and I’ve been vindicated. Well done you and your Nostradamus nose for the truth.
The whole future of the club seems to depend on selling Jack to keep the wolf from the door. One mistimed tackle, or studs caught in the turf as he turns, and the whole club disintegrates. That’s not a business plan.
I thought he was the one that Bolloxed Pompey....?
A number of things don’t add up what so ever with regards potential investment. It’s been reported that Xia has turned down offers that actually met his valuation. Seems odd to go those lengths of discussion to then turn the offers down.
On the other hand we have had long term rumours that Xia is simply the ‘front’ to who actually owns us and a few articles suggesting his investors are the ones not willing to sell without a significant ROI.
Fear the latter secenario/coupled with Xia trying to not lose faith will mean things get significantly worse for us before it can get better.
He is in the process of borrowing against every asset we currently have/cashing in on transfer fees in advance etc. This strategy will run out very quickly, then what!? It’s clear he does NOT have the cash flow to keep us up and running without beg/borrowing/stealing.
Another worry is us selling for FFP. I am not confident that funds from Jacks sale etc will be used for anything except running costs of the club. Again, what happens when we’ve cashed in on all our assets.
IMO -Xia will not be in charge by end of the season (at the very latest) regardless now. Either he does the sensible thing and sells up very shortly or at somepoint we will fall into administration and he will be forced out.
I reckon there's a strong likelihood of Xia doing a Lerner and going into hiding next season.
A number of things don’t add up what so ever with regards potential investment. It’s been reported that Xia has turned down offers that actually met his valuation. Seems odd to go those lengths of discussion to then turn the offers down.
On the other hand we have had long term rumours that Xia is simply the ‘front’ to who actually owns us and a few articles suggesting his investors are the ones not willing to sell without a significant ROI.
Fear the latter secenario/coupled with Xia trying to not lose faith will mean things get significantly worse for us before it can get better.
He is in the process of borrowing against every asset we currently have/cashing in on transfer fees in advance etc. This strategy will run out very quickly, then what!? It’s clear he does NOT have the cash flow to keep us up and running without beg/borrowing/stealing.
Another worry is us selling for FFP. I am not confident that funds from Jacks sale etc will be used for anything except running costs of the club. Again, what happens when we’ve cashed in on all our assets.
IMO -Xia will not be in charge by end of the season (at the very latest) regardless now. Either he does the sensible thing and sells up very shortly or at somepoint we will fall into administration and he will be forced out.
If we are selling Grealish in order to get FFP compliant then of course we won't be spending it on new players.
That'd be like selling your watch to pay your rent but then immediately spending it on a new telly instead.
Hopefully, Xia jetting in means that he'll be negotiating deals for investment and transfers. We could certainly do with some positive news.
Yes mate, most likely, but if we can bring in one or two to keep us competitive, that at least is a positive.What about holding on to our better players, that would be positive.
Yes mate, most likely, but if we can bring in one or two to keep us competitive, that at least is a positive.What about holding on to our better players, that would be positive.
Maybe he’s realised the only way to get money out of China is to bring it with him in a suitcase!
And yes Chicago, that would be a positive. Keep our fingers crossed eh? If we had to sell them it would be great to get top dollar so we CAN replace some of them. Doubt it though.
Absolutely true.
Same goes for managerial appointments.
Maybe he’s realised the only way to get money out of China is to bring it with him in a suitcase!
And yes Chicago, that would be a positive. Keep our fingers crossed eh? If we had to sell them it would be great to get top dollar so we CAN replace some of them. Doubt it though.
Yes mate, most likely, but if we can bring in one or two to keep us competitive, that at least is a positive.What about holding on to our better players, that would be positive.
Sounds great, but we're basically screwed by FFP according to our "expert" financial savvy bods on the board. Next months VAT and PAYE needs to be paid from player sales. A shocking mess is the reality...
Bruce saying we are in the shit is meaningless in terms of Stoke's bid for Chester - everyone knew we were in the shit long before that which in itself, would result in derisory offers for players.
Oh goody, our chancer of an owner is here, what’s he doing this week, remortgaging another car park?
Stokes offer for Chester will be the start of many derisory offers for our players, no one is going to offer market value when our manager has already stated that we do not expect market value, because we are in the shit. Top class that Brucie.
Alan Nixon running a story on Villa today? Anyone seen it?
Stokes offer for Chester will be the start of many derisory offers for our players, no one is going to offer market value when our manager has already stated that we do not expect market value, because we are in the shit. Top class that Brucie.
The low bids would have come in whether Bruce had said anything or not. Everyone in football knows we need the money, it wasn't exactly a closely guarded secret.
Stokes offer for Chester will be the start of many derisory offers for our players, no one is going to offer market value when our manager has already stated that we do not expect market value, because we are in the shit. Top class that Brucie.
The low bids would have come in whether Bruce had said anything or not. Everyone in football knows we need the money, it wasn't exactly a closely guarded secret.
The important, and encouraging, thing, is that it was knocked back.
Xia does not have the wealth to keep the club running.
Xia does not have the wealth to keep the club running.
He shouldn't need to. Isn't that the whole point of FFP in the first place ?
Clubs shouldn't need extra non generated cash pumping into them to pay the bills
Hence the right old mess we're in
Xia does not have the wealth to keep the club running.
He shouldn't need to. Isn't that the whole point of FFP in the first place ?
Clubs shouldn't need extra non generated cash pumping into them to pay the bills
Hence the right old mess we're in
I think the situation gets exaggerated in the media .there is an FFP situation granted but way over the topIf only this was the case, we have no idea what the squad will look like by the time they have sold all the players they can make a profit on and to keep the lights on.
.
Also the squad is highly impressive so it's just getting the play right and recognise we likely to now go with out Johnstone ,snoddy ,JT and Grealish and Chester . Maybe Jedinak and Kodija.
So several loans and deals needed but also replace from within.
I think have enough to be competitive .And teams and squads who struggle recently shown they can survive and get promoted . Look at Bolton they got promotion 16/17 and were in a mess still are yet stayed up and they were struggling off the pitch.
Coventry achieved promotion too 17/18 so just because team struggle financially doesn't mean there is no hope as we have a villa squad who is capable and competitive just need to concentrate on football side of things
I think the situation gets exaggerated in the media .there is an FFP situation granted but way over the topIf only this was the case, we have no idea what the squad will look like by the time they have sold all the players they can make a profit on and to keep the lights on.
.
Also the squad is highly impressive so it's just getting the play right and recognise we likely to now go with out Johnstone ,snoddy ,JT and Grealish and Chester . Maybe Jedinak and Kodija.
So several loans and deals needed but also replace from within.
I think have enough to be competitive .And teams and squads who struggle recently shown they can survive and get promoted . Look at Bolton they got promotion 16/17 and were in a mess still are yet stayed up and they were struggling off the pitch.
Coventry achieved promotion too 17/18 so just because team struggle financially doesn't mean there is no hope as we have a villa squad who is capable and competitive just need to concentrate on football side of things
BirminghamLive understands that the American group who wanted to invest in the club set out strict guidelines to Xia when they submitted a formal offer last month.
One of those was to set a fixed price tag of £40m on Grealish to act as a disincentive to sell.
They also wanted that money to be used as working capital if he did leave, but Xia rejected the approach.
Despite having takeover plans in place, too, it’s now unlikely that particular group will return.
I hope you paraphrased the 'who will be in the fucking squad yet' for the poor little chap??
https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/revealed-how-aston-villas-cash-14915250QuoteBirminghamLive understands that the American group who wanted to invest in the club set out strict guidelines to Xia when they submitted a formal offer last month.
One of those was to set a fixed price tag of £40m on Grealish to act as a disincentive to sell.
They also wanted that money to be used as working capital if he did leave, but Xia rejected the approach.
Despite having takeover plans in place, too, it’s now unlikely that particular group will return.
https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/revealed-how-aston-villas-cash-14915250Just what is Xia hanging on for?? If he takes us any further towards the financial abyss he will come out with nothing.QuoteBirminghamLive understands that the American group who wanted to invest in the club set out strict guidelines to Xia when they submitted a formal offer last month.
One of those was to set a fixed price tag of £40m on Grealish to act as a disincentive to sell.
They also wanted that money to be used as working capital if he did leave, but Xia rejected the approach.
Despite having takeover plans in place, too, it’s now unlikely that particular group will return.
I get the impression that the Doctor wants the 'investment' money to help prop up his other interests as I cannot see anything wrong with the 'strict guidelines' imposed by the American Group.
I believe the good Doctor is down in London today for eight hours of 'talks', goodness knows what about, satisfying the EFL that we can fulfill the season fixtures perhaps?
https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/revealed-how-aston-villas-cash-14915250Just what is Xia hanging on for?? If he takes us any further towards the financial abyss he will come out with nothing.QuoteBirminghamLive understands that the American group who wanted to invest in the club set out strict guidelines to Xia when they submitted a formal offer last month.
One of those was to set a fixed price tag of £40m on Grealish to act as a disincentive to sell.
They also wanted that money to be used as working capital if he did leave, but Xia rejected the approach.
Despite having takeover plans in place, too, it’s now unlikely that particular group will return.
I fail to believe he is waiting for the right buyer for the club ....we have certainly been hoodwinked by Lerner and now Xia. There needs to be revolutionary change in the way the club is run -the money that has been squandered is scandalous. Furthermore we need a progressive manager pretty sharpish as for me Bruce has clearly had his day.....let's hope the right person or consortium is out there and that the current owner sells up - some investigative journalism from the Birmingham Mail would be a change - to ascertain just why Xia is over here and has he shown his face at B6
Lerner definitely tried to hoodwink the fans in my opinion. People on here were questioning the big year-on-year losses and were told not to worry our pretty little heads about it, that it was all part of the plan.
That sounds yabout fair.Seconded..I'd like to add that Lerners dick is responsible for a lot of our problems!
Do we actually have a pitch to play on yet?
The dick that ent by the name of Martin O’neil.That sounds yabout fair.Seconded..I'd like to add that Lerners dick is responsible for a lot of our problems!
Lest we forget the final act of the Lerner regime was to sell to Dr Tony, what a parting gift that was.I dread to think who was advising Lerner at that time - probably Donald Trump !!
Oh for competent owners who have some cash.
I think we can file the Mirror story as bollocks. £40m minimum or we won't buy the club? Right you are.
Sorry Cheltenham. I cocked that up!That sounds yabout fair.Seconded..I'd like to add that Lerners dick is responsible for a lot of our problems!
Actually I don’t have a problem with a buyer insisting that a targets prime assets are not sold under value.
Maybe the investment strategy was to build a team around Grealish, ok the 40 mil may seem far fetched but the practice of making a contingent offer under these circumstances is not unusual.
There would have been a boat load of other terms as well, if the interest was real of course.
Lest we forget the final act of the Lerner regime was to sell to Dr Tony, what a parting gift that was.
Oh for competent owners who have some cash.
Lest we forget the final act of the Lerner regime was to sell to Dr Tony, what a parting gift that was.
Oh for competent owners who have some cash.
There was a fair bit of talk at the time about trusting Lerner to sell to a decent custodian of the club. The truth was that he accepted money from the first chancer who coughed up the cash.
Lest we forget the final act of the Lerner regime was to sell to Dr Tony, what a parting gift that was.
Oh for competent owners who have some cash.
There was a fair bit of talk at the time about trusting Lerner to sell to a decent custodian of the club. The truth was that he accepted money from the first chancer who coughed up the cash.
Lest we forget the final act of the Lerner regime was to sell to Dr Tony, what a parting gift that was.I dread to think who was advising Lerner at that time - probably Donald Trump !!
Oh for competent owners who have some cash.
Lest we forget the final act of the Lerner regime was to sell to Dr Tony, what a parting gift that was.I dread to think who was advising Lerner at that time - probably Donald Trump !!
Oh for competent owners who have some cash.
Hollis? Mervyn King?
The thing is, FOSUN were obviously floating around the West Midlands looking for a club, too, and I find it hard to believe they wouldn't have been looking at us too? The decision to go with Tony (a guy with no credible backstory and links to people like the discredited Samuelson) as opposed to all other potential suitors is baffling. I'd love to hear Mervyn King's take on it all.
From a very reliable 3rd party, who actually spoke to him about it, I have heard King’s take on Xia but there’s absolute no chance of getting away with posting it on here.
I would be interested to know just what questions are raised when looking to establish if a prospective buyer fulfils the "fit and proper person" criteria
I don't think they set the bar that high. Honestly, give a dog a bad name....I would be interested to know just what questions are raised when looking to establish if a prospective buyer fulfils the "fit and proper person" criteria
I would imagine that there's not much more to it than some sort of solvency test, and no outstanding war crimes tribunals at The Hague.
I hope you paraphrased the 'who will be in the fucking squad yet' for the poor little chap??
;D
From a very reliable 3rd party, who actually spoke to him about it, I have heard King’s take on Xia but there’s absolute no chance of getting away with posting it on here.I thought at the time his and Berstein's swift departures may have been something to do with Randy's choice of successor, but then we heard the stories about him insulting them when pissed. I wonder if that was the start of the conversation though? Guess we'll never know.
From a very reliable 3rd party, who actually spoke to him about it, I have heard King’s take on Xia but there’s absolute no chance of getting away with posting it on here.I thought at the time his and Berstein's swift departures may have been something to do with Randy's choice of successor, but then we heard the stories about him insulting them when pissed. I wonder if that was the start of the conversation though? Guess we'll never know.
Does anybody with even the vaguest of ITK links think we'll honestly get taken over this summer ?
I'm praying so but i refuse to let myself get too excited
From a very reliable 3rd party, who actually spoke to him about it, I have heard King’s take on Xia but there’s absolute no chance of getting away with posting it on here.PM? I Won't share further....
If they start trading for cash then the FFP situation will get even worse and where ADmin and the points deduction looks like a soft landing.
Does anybody with even the vaguest of ITK links think we'll honestly get taken over this summer ?
I'm praying so but i refuse to let myself get too excited
The club is being heavily pushed for sale. It's almost a case of having to, to be honest, as the alternatives don't really bear thinking about.
I thought Dr Death didn't want to sell?
I've just read that Bournemouth are planning to spend £57M on two players. I'm close to tears.
Does anybody with even the vaguest of ITK links think we'll honestly get taken over this summer ?
I'm praying so but i refuse to let myself get too excited
Am I the only person thinking that Simon Jordan's unusual twitter silence is a sign of something possibly happening? And I don't mean his phone is broken.
I don't think they set the bar that high. Honestly, give a dog a bad name....I would be interested to know just what questions are raised when looking to establish if a prospective buyer fulfils the "fit and proper person" criteria
I would imagine that there's not much more to it than some sort of solvency test, and no outstanding war crimes tribunals at The Hague.
Am I the only person thinking that Simon Jordan's unusual twitter silence is a sign of something possibly happening? And I don't mean his phone is broken.
Either that or he’s on holiday. Brean Sands Pontins would be my guess.
Am I the only person thinking that Simon Jordan's unusual twitter silence is a sign of something possibly happening? And I don't mean his phone is broken.
Either that or he’s on holiday. Brean Sands Pontins would be my guess.
I popped in there last year for a quick look round for the first time in years. It was horrendous.
Am I the only person thinking that Simon Jordan's unusual twitter silence is a sign of something possibly happening? And I don't mean his phone is broken.
Either that or he’s on holiday. Brean Sands Pontins would be my guess.
I popped in there last year for a quick look round for the first time in years. It was horrendous.
Does anybody with even the vaguest of ITK links think we'll honestly get taken over this summer ?
I'm praying so but i refuse to let myself get too excited
Yes.
I struggle to keep occasionally, but where did all that parachute payment money go?our wage bill 2016/7 was 60m so mainly on that
Does anybody with even the vaguest of ITK links think we'll honestly get taken over this summer ?
I'm praying so but i refuse to let myself get too excited
Yes.
Confidence level?
Sounds promising, saying that the way things have gone down over the last few years it’ll probably be Sascha Gaydamak.
Sounds promising, saying that the way things have gone down over the last few years it’ll probably be Sascha Gaydamak.
It's me. Xia swapped it for my caravan in Burnham.
Does anybody with even the vaguest of ITK links think we'll honestly get taken over this summer ?
I'm praying so but i refuse to let myself get too excited
Yes.
Confidence level?
Extreme.
Am I the only person thinking that Simon Jordan's unusual twitter silence is a sign of something possibly happening? And I don't mean his phone is broken.
Either that or he’s on holiday. Brean Sands Pontins would be my guess.
I popped in there last year for a quick look round for the first time in years. It was horrendous.
It is, he'd be mad to go there. He'll have gone to the one at Prestatyn.
Does anybody with even the vaguest of ITK links think we'll honestly get taken over this summer ?
I'm praying so but i refuse to let myself get too excited
Yes.
Confidence level?
Extreme.
Not too doubt you as you're normally bang on the money but I recall you saying that Bruce resigned earlier this summer! Was it rejected??
Does anybody with even the vaguest of ITK links think we'll honestly get taken over this summer ?
I'm praying so but i refuse to let myself get too excited
Yes.
Confidence level?
Extreme.
Not too doubt you as you're normally bang on the money but I recall you saying that Bruce resigned earlier this summer! Was it rejected??
Eh? Bruce has never resigned or even tried to. I was pretty confident his arse was going to be shown the door rapidly post Wembley defeat until our finances started to resemble Enron.
Does anybody with even the vaguest of ITK links think we'll honestly get taken over this summer ?
I'm praying so but i refuse to let myself get too excited
Yes.
Confidence level?
Extreme.
Not too doubt you as you're normally bang on the money but I recall you saying that Bruce resigned earlier this summer! Was it rejected??
Eh? Bruce has never resigned or even tried to. I was pretty confident his arse was going to be shown the door rapidly post Wembley defeat until our finances started to resemble Enron.
I standby my terminology as I feel I was fooled into thinking Lerner was in it for the long term and that he also had substantial business acumen - he seemed a " nice guy" but was easily parted with his money by those more financially astute - ergo Mrs Lerner
If your assertion is accurate and he became bored with it all it kind of mirrors his commitment and experience at the Browns .
Maybe he was naive and trusted in the wrong guys - I think Krulak was a friend of his father's' and he therefore trusted his loyalty to the family. I agree some of his deeds at the Villa were positive, as were his charitable donations to several worthwhile causes - he was pseudo reclusive so we never got to hear his voice much - if at all. Shame it didn't work as it started so promising - I still cherish the free scarf as well as a Villa/Browns half and half scarf - even though I'm a Dolphins fan :)
Sounds promising, saying that the way things have gone down over the last few years it’ll probably be Sascha Gaydamak.
If you think Pontins Brean Sands and Prestatyn are bad you should have a dekko at Pontins Pakefield. Illegal immigrants pay extra not to be dropped there.
Also, don't get excited about a sale. It won't be to a philanthropic zillionaire if that is what people are hoping for.
Also, don't get excited about a sale. It won't be to a philanthropic zillionaire if that is what people are hoping for.
I don't want someone loaded right now, someone who can run the club properly and stop us from cycling through wasting money before being reduced to digging down the back of the sofa and being sold. Once the club is running properly and we have a decent structure in place then I'll happily take someone with the wealth to build on it but we need to learn how to act like a proper football club because our fucking ridiculous management has been embarrassing for years.
and be forced to play in claret and blue mankinis
and be forced to play in claret and blue mankinisAlready bought mine for my holidays.
Also, don't get excited about a sale. It won't be to a philanthropic zillionaire if that is what people are hoping for.
I don't want someone loaded right now, someone who can run the club properly and stop us from cycling through wasting money before being reduced to digging down the back of the sofa and being sold. Once the club is running properly and we have a decent structure in place then I'll happily take someone with the wealth to build on it but we need to learn how to act like a proper football club because our fucking ridiculous management has been embarrassing for years.
I'll take somebody who can manipulate the shitty rules.
and be forced to play in claret and blue mankinisAlready bought mine for my holidays.
Does anybody with even the vaguest of ITK links think we'll honestly get taken over this summer ?
I'm praying so but i refuse to let myself get too excited
Yes.
Confidence level?
Extreme.
Not too doubt you as you're normally bang on the money but I recall you saying that Bruce resigned earlier this summer! Was it rejected??
Eh? Bruce has never resigned or even tried to. I was pretty confident his arse was going to be shown the door rapidly post Wembley defeat until our finances started to resemble Enron.
Does anybody with even the vaguest of ITK links think we'll honestly get taken over this summer ?
I'm praying so but i refuse to let myself get too excited
Yes.
Confidence level?
Extreme.
Not too doubt you as you're normally bang on the money but I recall you saying that Bruce resigned earlier this summer! Was it rejected??
Eh? Bruce has never resigned or even tried to. I was pretty confident his arse was going to be shown the door rapidly post Wembley defeat until our finances started to resemble Enron.
Apologies Chelten, it wasn't you who claimed that towards the end of May in the Bruce Out thread.
Also, don't get excited about a sale. It won't be to a philanthropic zillionaire if that is what people are hoping for.OK but how about a complete absent minded fool with buckets and buckets of cash?
Also, don't get excited about a sale. It won't be to a philanthropic zillionaire if that is what people are hoping for.That sounds to me like a good thing.
Also, don't get excited about a sale. It won't be to a philanthropic zillionaire if that is what people are hoping for.That sounds to me like a good thing.
Also, don't get excited about a sale. It won't be to a philanthropic zillionaire if that is what people are hoping for.That sounds to me like a good thing.
It does. I desperately want us run as a proper business.
They never have any problem convincing their signings to join them as they're exempt from tax so have a massive unfair advantage over the rest of the league.
We certainly should be going down the young players route once our ownership is sorted out.The development of a great academy should be a no-brainer - doing it properly will almost always bear plenty of fruit as long as we hire the best possible people to oversee it and run it. All too often, however, clubs hire the wrong people in their academy or simply do not give it enough attention (my son worked at the Leeds academy for two years and saw at first hand what happens when mates-of-mates and inarticulate ex-pros come into the academy).
The tried and tested method failed us big time at the crunch last season.
Only issue I can see is like anything it only takes a few defeats and suddenly young and hungry is cheap method and there's lack of ambition etc.
I didn't mind when we switched to it from 2012 onwards, trouble was our implementation was wrong. Signing likes of Lowton, Bennett and Westwood and immediately making them first team regulars when any other top level club would've had them learning from the bench or even getting loaned out as you see with how Spurs do it.
So all three were playing 30 + times and inevitably they all struggled particularly as the quality in our first team had badly declined at
that point.
Would've worked much better if we'd signed those types when likes of Young, Downing, Milner and Carew were all still at the club but instead had manager back then who'd rather sign Beye and Sidwell to warm the bench.
Other thing with young players is people constantly yearn for them to get a chance and then slag them off if they're not the new Rooney/Mbappe within ten games.
We saw it years ago with Cahill and Steven Davis who've both had brilliant careers, Albrighton was getting flak aswell for a period, Lowton got plenty and has proved himself as a reliable top 10 premier league player and now Davis and Andre Green are getting it.
Even Jack was getting plenty of criticism this time last year.
We certainly should be going down the young players route once our ownership is sorted out.
The tried and tested method failed us big time at the crunch last season.
Only issue I can see is like anything it only takes a few defeats and suddenly young and hungry is cheap method and there's lack of ambition etc.
I didn't mind when we switched to it from 2012 onwards, trouble was our implementation was wrong. Signing likes of Lowton, Bennett and Westwood and immediately making them first team regulars when any other top level club would've had them learning from the bench or even getting loaned out as you see with how Spurs do it.
So all three were playing 30 + times and inevitably they all struggled particularly as the quality in our first team had badly declined at
that point.
Would've worked much better if we'd signed those types when likes of Young, Downing, Milner and Carew were all still at the club but instead had manager back then who'd rather sign Beye and Sidwell to warm the bench.
Other thing with young players is people constantly yearn for them to get a chance and then slag them off if they're not the new Rooney/Mbappe within ten games.
We saw it years ago with Cahill and Steven Davis who've both had brilliant careers, Albrighton was getting flak aswell for a period, Lowton got plenty and has proved himself as a reliable top 10 premier league player and now Davis and Andre Green are getting it.
Even Jack was getting plenty of criticism this time last year.
I wanted to ask the same.Also, don't get excited about a sale. It won't be to a philanthropic zillionaire if that is what people are hoping for.That sounds to me like a good thing.
It does. I desperately want us run as a proper business.
I'm a little lost tracing these posts back to origin - chelts are you saying you've got ITK on takeover prospects?
They never have any problem convincing their signings to join them as they're exempt from tax so have a massive unfair advantage over the rest of the league.
Yessy matchand be forced to play in claret and blue mankinisAlready bought mine for my holidays.
Is nice? You like?
It’s all well and good saying we need a different strategy that encourages scouting and player development.
This football philosophy has to be led from the top of the playing side of the club and Steve Bruce is about as poor a choice as you could make in this regard.
It’s all well and good saying we need a different strategy that encourages scouting and player development.
This football philosophy has to be led from the top of the playing side of the club and Steve Bruce is about as poor a choice as you could make in this regard.
Agreed. His approach for us has been mainly tried and tested old stalwarts, young loanees from clubs he's friendly with, and a scatter gun approach to lifting the seemingly better players from other clubs at our level, without much of a clue as to how to use them or whether they fit the style we're trying to play.
They never have any problem convincing their signings to join them as they're exempt from tax so have a massive unfair advantage over the rest of the league.
True, but I'm not convinced tax bills are a huge factor for teenagers when deciding what club to join. The club's focus on bringing through young talent is hugely attractive. They also bought a feeder club which has now just been promoted to the Belgian top flight. The whole setup is sensible, notwithstanding the tax advantages.
Why is the money we supposedly need to find more this month than it was last time?If the article has any basis in fact it seems that this month as well as wages and tax / ni we also have to find money to cover instalments due on transfer fees.
Why is the money we supposedly need to find more this month than it was last time?
Why is the money we supposedly need to find more this month than it was last time?
The shortfall last time might have not represented 100% of what was payable (ie we might have paid some of it). Or it might be something which is due quarterly. Lots of possible reasons.
I mean it’s very apparent that we desperately need him to sell.That is incredibly polite.
Ok, let's say we throw in the towel and go into administration. What actually happens ?
I know we get a 12 point deduction (?) and a transfer ban (like we're going to buy anyone anyway) but what else ?
I assume the FFP black hole doesn't then disappear and is still there needing to be corrected, so does someone then come in and sell off all the family silver instead of the club itself ?
Just sack the bastards and let them fight their own corner?
Ok, let's say we throw in the towel and go into administration. What actually happens ?
I know we get a 12 point deduction (?) and a transfer ban (like we're going to buy anyone anyway) but what else ?
I assume the FFP black hole doesn't then disappear and is still there needing to be corrected, so does someone then come in and sell off all the family silver instead of the club itself ?
certain suppliers would probably not get their money . I believe debt owed to players and other clubs still stand
so we would still have to pay messers McCormack and Richards so not very satisfactory
Ok, let's say we throw in the towel and go into administration. What actually happens ?
I know we get a 12 point deduction (?) and a transfer ban (like we're going to buy anyone anyway) but what else ?
I assume the FFP black hole doesn't then disappear and is still there needing to be corrected, so does someone then come in and sell off all the family silver instead of the club itself ?
certain suppliers would probably not get their money . I believe debt owed to players and other clubs still stand
so we would still have to pay messers McCormack and Richards so not very satisfactory
I’d take admin now if it meant we get rid of this utter fraudThis 100% get it all out in the open : Xia , Round, Wyness and Bruce all gone and everyone aware of what went on.
Harry McGuire didn't do too badly when he was younger and plucked from Sheffield United by some dinosaur.
I’d take admin now if it meant we get rid of this utter fraudThis 100% get it all out in the open : Xia , Round, Wyness and Bruce all gone and everyone aware of what went on.
Rebuild the great club that is Aston Villa FC. Prepared.
Harry McGuire didn't do too badly when he was younger and plucked from Sheffield United by some dinosaur.
How many more can you name? Great player, now. Bruce didn't develop him though did he?
Harry McGuire didn't do too badly when he was younger and plucked from Sheffield United by some dinosaur.
How many more can you name? Great player, now. Bruce didn't develop him though did he?
Robertson.
By a player plucked from Dundee by Bruce whose last competitive game was in the European Cup final against Real Madrid?
Harry McGuire didn't do too badly when he was younger and plucked from Sheffield United by some dinosaur.
How many more can you name? Great player, now. Bruce didn't develop him though did he?
Robertson.
Not necessarily , we need to clear our club from top to bottom. No new investment will be forthcoming to own a minority stake whilst we have a clown in the chair.I’d take admin now if it meant we get rid of this utter fraudThis 100% get it all out in the open : Xia , Round, Wyness and Bruce all gone and everyone aware of what went on.
Rebuild the great club that is Aston Villa FC. Prepared.
This is like saying; we need to get relegated to clear all the shit out. Look what happens. It's a ridiculous notion to go into administration. 12 points worse off and the admin guy will sell anything at all to pay off creditors. Yes, that may also mean the club changes hands, but we are way over our heads in debt to keep some of these players as FFP has well and truly bitten. We will be worse off in administration.
Not necessarily , we need to clear our club from top to bottom. No new investment will be forthcoming to own a minority stake whilst we have a clown in the chair.I’d take admin now if it meant we get rid of this utter fraudThis 100% get it all out in the open : Xia , Round, Wyness and Bruce all gone and everyone aware of what went on.
Rebuild the great club that is Aston Villa FC. Prepared.
This is like saying; we need to get relegated to clear all the shit out. Look what happens. It's a ridiculous notion to go into administration. 12 points worse off and the admin guy will sell anything at all to pay off creditors. Yes, that may also mean the club changes hands, but we are way over our heads in debt to keep some of these players as FFP has well and truly bitten. We will be worse off in administration.
Robertson and Maguire may have been spotted and bought by Bruce and he did well with them in their early days, but Bruce cannot possibly take any credit for their successes more recently, surely?
Some of those signings are dreadful. He really is hit and miss, not too many young players on that list either. Can this leopard change his spots?
i couldn't care less who he's bought in the past and if he did or not develop them
i'm more concerned with the 23.9 million (+ the Taylor the free gift) he has spent on a lot of players on big wages and wonder whether they will earn there corn next season in getting out of this league
By a player plucked from Dundee by Bruce whose last competitive game was in the European Cup final against Real Madrid?
And that's Steve Bruce's doing? Er, no. Bruce may have purchased him but Liverpool nurtured the talent. Yeah, give Bruce some credit for listening to one of his scouts, Robertson did really well in the Championship for Hull, fair play, but you are stretching it beyond all imagination by suggesting that Bruce is responsible for Robertson playing in the Champs League Final.
Equally, we are talking about Villa, not the teams that Bruce used ti manage, you know, those will far less resources and who really had to pick up youngsters. He tried to buy promotion and fucked it up. I hope he proves me wrong and starts having more faith in the kids. I doubt it though.
We certainly should be going down the young players route once our ownership is sorted out.The development of a great academy should be a no-brainer - doing it properly will almost always bear plenty of fruit as long as we hire the best possible people to oversee it and run it. All too often, however, clubs hire the wrong people in their academy or simply do not give it enough attention (my son worked at the Leeds academy for two years and saw at first hand what happens when mates-of-mates and inarticulate ex-pros come into the academy).
The tried and tested method failed us big time at the crunch last season.
Only issue I can see is like anything it only takes a few defeats and suddenly young and hungry is cheap method and there's lack of ambition etc.
I didn't mind when we switched to it from 2012 onwards, trouble was our implementation was wrong. Signing likes of Lowton, Bennett and Westwood and immediately making them first team regulars when any other top level club would've had them learning from the bench or even getting loaned out as you see with how Spurs do it.
So all three were playing 30 + times and inevitably they all struggled particularly as the quality in our first team had badly declined at
that point.
Would've worked much better if we'd signed those types when likes of Young, Downing, Milner and Carew were all still at the club but instead had manager back then who'd rather sign Beye and Sidwell to warm the bench.
Other thing with young players is people constantly yearn for them to get a chance and then slag them off if they're not the new Rooney/Mbappe within ten games.
We saw it years ago with Cahill and Steven Davis who've both had brilliant careers, Albrighton was getting flak aswell for a period, Lowton got plenty and has proved himself as a reliable top 10 premier league player and now Davis and Andre Green are getting it.
Even Jack was getting plenty of criticism this time last year.
The drafting-in of youngsters and the link between academy and first team are almost-entirely dependent on having the 'right' management and coaching team. Since Lerner came in - and perhaps before - our first-team managers / coaches do not seem to have had a great focus on youth development.
If our circumstances mean that we have to go more purposefully down this route, I'd urge the new owners to do the best possible job of having the right people in the first-team set-up and the Academy set-up. Hire the best available coaches and spend what funds we have to develop a sustainable pipeline of young talent.
Even Citeh - who have bought their way to the top - have invested strongly in their academy.
Every manager makes bad signings. I give you the Djemba twins.
By a player plucked from Dundee by Bruce whose last competitive game was in the European Cup final against Real Madrid?
And that's Steve Bruce's doing? Er, no. Bruce may have purchased him but Liverpool nurtured the talent. Yeah, give Bruce some credit for listening to one of his scouts, Robertson did really well in the Championship for Hull, fair play, but you are stretching it beyond all imagination by suggesting that Bruce is responsible for Robertson playing in the Champs League Final.
Equally, we are talking about Villa, not the teams that Bruce used ti manage, you know, those will far less resources and who really had to pick up youngsters. He tried to buy promotion and fucked it up. I hope he proves me wrong and starts having more faith in the kids. I doubt it though.
By a player plucked from Dundee by Bruce whose last competitive game was in the European Cup final against Real Madrid?
And that's Steve Bruce's doing? Er, no. Bruce may have purchased him but Liverpool nurtured the talent. Yeah, give Bruce some credit for listening to one of his scouts, Robertson did really well in the Championship for Hull, fair play, but you are stretching it beyond all imagination by suggesting that Bruce is responsible for Robertson playing in the Champs League Final.
Equally, we are talking about Villa, not the teams that Bruce used ti manage, you know, those will far less resources and who really had to pick up youngsters. He tried to buy promotion and fucked it up. I hope he proves me wrong and starts having more faith in the kids. I doubt it though.
Would say Sam Clucas was his best find in recent years. At Chesterfield and played key role when Hull were promoted. Hull then sold him to Swansea for 15m.
Does anyone know if we really do have obligations to pay £9m over to various sources tomorrow? And, just as importantly if we stand any chance of going into the new season - the most crucial now in recent history imo - without going into administration?
We’re going to lose Grealish, Chester and Kodja and several others, possibly to teams in our Division, during the last few days of the window.At ridiculously low prices.
That’s just the way it is.
i couldn't care less who he's bought in the past and if he did or not develop themThere's no bigger indictment of Bruces scattergun approach to squad building than Scott Hogan. 9 million quid (I think) on a player previously pretty successful at finding the net with apparently not a single thought put into how he would integrate into the team. I wouldn't allow him to spend a penny more in the transfer market. A moot point I know right now but you get my drift?
i'm more concerned with the 23.9 million (+ the Taylor the free gift) he has spent on a lot of players on big wages and wonder whether they will earn there corn next season in getting out of this league
I would expect the reason no one has left yet is purely because the players are assets, and will be classed as such by any accountant dealing with our sale. As soon as we have been sold, then we'll see the exodus begin.
I know Bruce can do no right in some people's eyes and I'm now of the opinion he's not the right man but suggesting the development of Robertson is purely down to Liverpool is incredibly myopic and the reluctance to give him any credit in the improvement shown by Jack too.
Not everything Bruce has done is wrong, and of course there have been high points over the last two seasons, especially the last one. He brought in players like Terry, Snodgrass and Grabban, and sorted Jack out so that he now looks like a potential world beater. However, it was a shit or bust approach with few lasting benefits, and overall his standard of football and tactics, which most people thought wouldn't be good enough, weren't good enough. Half time at Wembley for the play off final was the most dejected I've felt about football in a long time. It was clear as day that Bruce had got everything wrong that day and we weren't going up, and were probably bollocksed as a result.
It is HMRC time again and not only do we have to pay the usual monthly tax / NI payment by tomorrow - we also have to pay the annul payment of Class 1a payment which for Villa my be quite an amount due (Company cars / Private medical payments etc...)
If none of our players get sold - how do we afford the £40 million that we need?? - administration surely would be the only option??
With regards to any sale of the club don't these usually get announced that we are in negotiation to sell, I cannot remember that being mentioned by the club. And if Dr Tony companies are on the Chinese stock exchange, would it not have to be announced on there.
For me any sale of the club is weeks away, as no one is going to buy without doing a proper audit of the clubs finances.
It’s not unusual if a sale is in advanced stage ( heads of terms) that both parties agree that no significant financial transactions would be undertaken within a given time frame.I would expect the reason no one has left yet is purely because the players are assets, and will be classed as such by any accountant dealing with our sale. As soon as we have been sold, then we'll see the exodus begin.
Cash is an asset too, with the added advantage that it can't pick up a career-ending (and therefore value-destroying) injury in the next training session.
The only reason player sales might not be happening because of a sale process going on would be because the people involved in the sale of the club just don't have the time to negotiate a player sale too.
Failing that, if we got a decent offer for any of our players they'd be sold, club sale or not.
Bruce can very possibly take some credit for the maturing of Jack Grealish but against that has to be set the stalling of the careers of Green, Davis, Hepburn-Murphy, Suliman and O'Hare. I do not hold the view that Bruce can do nothing right only that it is too little.
Twitter saying Middle East investment and no incomings or OUTGOINGS !! Tied to that.
Now, wouldn’t that be lovely?
Hold tight #avfc fans. Nothing concrete, but all the evidence suggests a deal is being worked upon and close. No incomings or outgoings is a big one. Any change in this area will effect sale price and value of club, so makes sense everything is on hold. Deal or Admin #XiaOut
Not everything Bruce has done is wrong, and of course there have been high points over the last two seasons, especially the last one. He brought in players like Terry, Snodgrass and Grabban, and sorted Jack out so that he now looks like a potential world beater. However, it was a shit or bust approach with few lasting benefits, and overall his standard of football and tactics, which most people thought wouldn't be good enough, weren't good enough. Half time at Wembley for the play off final was the most dejected I've felt about football in a long time. It was clear as day that Bruce had got everything wrong that day and we weren't going up, and were probably bollocksed as a result.
Beaten by a better team. Happens.
Beaten by a better team. Happens.
But they weren't a better team. I didn't see anything from Fulham last season that came close to our destructions of Wolves and Bristol City.
I tweeted earlier: Never going to happen but wouldn’t it be amazing if the Middle Eastern investors turn out to be richer than Mansour and Fosun put together. Shut a few piss takers up. Bound to be be some tin-pot outfit though knowing our luck.I'll save you the heartache later, no we are not.
Then I’ve just read this:
Majid Al Futtaim is a name mentioned on Twitter. As of March 2017, Al Futtaim's net worth is estimated by Forbes at US$10.9 billion, the second richest individual in the Middle East.
We’re not that lucky are we?
Beaten by a better team. Happens.
But they weren't a better team. I didn't see anything from Fulham last season that came close to our destructions of Wolves and Bristol City.
All about opinions of course. For me Fulham were the best team i saw last season
Could be something in it then? Come on let us have some hope, even if it’s for a few hours:(Agreed, let’s dream and hope.
If it's him, his group is worth £9bn and makes £600m a year.
Club renamed Al Aston Villa?
Club renamed Al Aston Villa?
I've always referred to Villa Park as Mecca. When I say always I mean once or twice.
Even if this crowd were oil-rich with a bottomless pit of money and willing to splurge it all on a struggling football club, they wouldn't be able to. So it's a moot point.
What we really want, as others have said, is a consortium of very good business-people to come in and run the club in the vein of a - for example - Tottenham Hotspur.
Even if this crowd were oil-rich with a bottomless pit of money and willing to splurge it all on a struggling football club, they wouldn't be able to. So it's a moot point.
What we really want, as others have said, is a consortium of very good business-people to come in and run the club in the vein of a - for example - Tottenham Hotspur.
They could "splurge" to their hearts content. Take the punishment, and carry on.
Don’t be so bloody miserable. 😉Even if this crowd were oil-rich with a bottomless pit of money and willing to splurge it all on a struggling football club, they wouldn't be able to. So it's a moot point.
What we really want, as others have said, is a consortium of very good business-people to come in and run the club in the vein of a - for example - Tottenham Hotspur.
They could "splurge" to their hearts content. Take the punishment, and carry on.
That's great except the punishments now include points deductions, so how does that behaviour serve the club exactly?
Don’t be so bloody miserable.Even if this crowd were oil-rich with a bottomless pit of money and willing to splurge it all on a struggling football club, they wouldn't be able to. So it's a moot point.
What we really want, as others have said, is a consortium of very good business-people to come in and run the club in the vein of a - for example - Tottenham Hotspur.
They could "splurge" to their hearts content. Take the punishment, and carry on.
That's great except the punishments now include points deductions, so how does that behaviour serve the club exactly?
When we are winning the European cup again we won’t care about the punishments.
We’re gonna be rich I tell ya*
*we’re not, of course.
I haven't been this excited since I heard a Chinese billionaire was taking us over. This time next year....
Latest tweet from Gregg Evans
Understand that the Middle East group have lodged a two-stage offer. First for majority control, then a potential takeover in the future. Up to Tony Xia now, it seems. #avfc
Latest tweet from Gregg Evans
Understand that the Middle East group have lodged a two-stage offer. First for majority control, then a potential takeover in the future. Up to Tony Xia now, it seems. #avfc
Which is ideal for Xia , someone comes in sorts us out we get promoted and then he sells his remaing share and gets some return
On that subject does anyone recall whats owed to Randy , as I recall he was due more cash if we were promoted but I think it may have been limited to going up in 2 season ...
Even if this crowd were oil-rich with a bottomless pit of money and willing to splurge it all on a struggling football club, they wouldn't be able to. So it's a moot point.
What we really want, as others have said, is a consortium of very good business-people to come in and run the club in the vein of a - for example - Tottenham Hotspur.
They could "splurge" to their hearts content. Take the punishment, and carry on.
That's great except the punishments now include points deductions, so how does that behaviour serve the club exactly?
I know Bruce can do no right in some people's eyes and I'm now of the opinion he's not the right man but suggesting the development of Robertson is purely down to Liverpool is incredibly myopic and the reluctance to give him any credit in the improvement shown by Jack too.
Crikey, just had a look on Twitter - that place is amaxing for people getting their hopes up.....apparently they are coming in, scaking Bruce and appointing Terry Henry!!
Sir Michael Rake, Chairman of the group, is from Warwickshire. So naturally must be Villa not being from Brum.
Even if this crowd were oil-rich with a bottomless pit of money and willing to splurge it all on a struggling football club, they wouldn't be able to. So it's a moot point.
I wonder what TBAR is saying...
I'd be disappointed if we sacked Bruce and brought in Henry.
He's as thick as a house brick.
Knowing our luck it’l be Al an Brah Zil.
All this talk of Middle East buyers reminds me of that time years ago when there was some excitement on here as someone had seen some "Arab looking people" getting "the treeatment" in the corporate facilities on a match day, only for them to turn out to be some blokes who owned a curry house in Sutton Coldfield.
Brilliant stuff. Like a story line for an episode of Only Fools and Horses.
If this does turn out to be a Middle Eastern buyer we only need a Russian next time to have had the full house of the current likely locations for overseas investors.Or, Al Hussain Hakabollokov.
Well Al Futtaim Group are one of my company's customers. Own lots of hotels and car franchises in Dubai. Interesting.Can you give them a ring and ask them?
Even if this crowd were oil-rich with a bottomless pit of money and willing to splurge it all on a struggling football club, they wouldn't be able to. So it's a moot point.
I'm speaking with no expertise at all, but if we look like we are at least trying to comply with FFP, I don't think the penalty would be as grim as some make out.
The punishments range anywhere from the minuscule fines Leicester and Bournemouth have received (though I understand no other sides will get away that lightly again), to QPR sized fines to points deductions. But seeing as most of the division seem to be in breach of FFP now, actually enforcing that might be tricky.
If there were any truth in this latest update (and it sounds like good news so -where Villa are concerned, it must be shite) I would be made up just to keep Jack and Chester and move the likes of Lansbury and Thor on to free up some space for canny loans.
If any side were operating like we were in 16/7, buying All The Captains and All the Forwards -and doing that over a number of years- then aye, throw the book at 'em.
I'd be disappointed if we sacked Bruce and brought in Henry.
He's as thick as a house brick.
I'd be disappointed if we sacked Bruce and brought in Henry.
He's as thick as a house brick.
I have met him and he is actually rather well spoken and intelligent.
Nothing like the character he played in Crossroads.
I tweeted earlier: Never going to happen but wouldn’t it be amazing if the Middle Eastern investors turn out to be richer than Mansour and Fosun put together. Shut a few piss takers up. Bound to be be some tin-pot outfit though knowing our luck.
Then I’ve just read this:
Majid Al Futtaim is a name mentioned on Twitter. As of March 2017, Al Futtaim's net worth is estimated by Forbes at US$10.9 billion, the second richest individual in the Middle East.
We’re not that lucky are we?
I’m known more for my legendary good looks than my brains so can somebody tell me if this would have any positive effect on FFP? For example, could they sponsor the Holte End lavs for 80m quid? Obviously this is all hypothetical and inevitably won’t happen.Only if it’s considered fair market value.
Even if this crowd were oil-rich with a bottomless pit of money and willing to splurge it all on a struggling football club, they wouldn't be able to. So it's a moot point.Whilst I agree we need people with business acumen a la Spurs, people with bottom less pits can get round the spending piece- They sponsor stadium naming rights for example .I believe Man City’s stadium was being bank rolled to the tune of over £ 40m per year which means the club can then spend 70% of this on players and wages.
What we really want, as others have said, is a consortium of very good business-people to come in and run the club in the vein of a - for example - Tottenham Hotspur.
Anyone on the lookout at Birmingham Airport?
I’m known more for my legendary good looks than my brains so can somebody tell me if this would have any positive effect on FFP? For example, could they sponsor the Holte End lavs for 80m quid? Obviously this is all hypothetical and inevitably won’t happen.
Anyone on the lookout at Birmingham Airport?
Anyone on the lookout at Birmingham Airport?
Just saw Randy’s plane
We're not really allowing ourselves to believe this right ???
We're not really allowing ourselves to believe this right ???
We're not really allowing ourselves to believe this right ???
Absolutely not. I always spend my Thursday nights cartwheeling around the garden.
Planespotting at Brum airport for Villa dignitaries is the preserve of that Trees bloke on VillaTalk. Haven't browsed there in at least a year, dunno if he's active still.
Not been online tonight, do I take it the Champions League dream is well and truly back on? Still got four years to do it.
Next season’s Guess The Crowd includes who’s sitting next to Tony ;)
Next season’s Guess The Crowd includes who’s sitting next to Tony ;)
Mr Xia-child-progidy-Olympic-designer-multi-billionaire-Harvard Graduate in Gardening- allegedly- owner of failed Companies - rebuked by China Stock Exchange - Lost Face/ Lost Trust- at Home
Mr Xia..... Chinese CON MAN
This Guy.... will NEVER show his Face at Villa ever again....
His seat is EMPTY
HE IS A COWARD.. A LIAR
OK ?
I see the heat's well and truly got to Alf. Anyway the one sign I want from any new owner is common sense - and that includes the only sensible thing Tony ever did which was turning up to BH in a taxi. Prudence. No flashy suits or motors.
As seen on Twitter (usual disclaimer)
Villa investment could be complete as early as next week. Group from the Middle East are extremely wealthy so I'm told. May not be as financially crippled as you were fearing! The next question would be whether they trust Steve Bruce to take you up (I doubt it)
Agent DaveAs seen on Twitter (usual disclaimer)
Villa investment could be complete as early as next week. Group from the Middle East are extremely wealthy so I'm told. May not be as financially crippled as you were fearing! The next question would be whether they trust Steve Bruce to take you up (I doubt it)
Which Twatter account is this from?
...If Bill Gates, the bloke who owns Ikea and Dave Woodhall...
Stoke Sentinel (linked from Beeb gossip) seems to be thinking Chester to them is more or less done, sadly.
Stoke Sentinel (linked from Beeb gossip) seems to be thinking Chester to them is more or less done, sadly.
Losing Chester IMO is the worst thing that could happen for the short term i.e. next season. Fucking hell.
Stoke Sentinel (linked from Beeb gossip) seems to be thinking Chester to them is more or less done, sadly.
Local newspapers tend to run positive stories about their clubs.
We’re very close to being sold to Egyptians. Now being reported.
Gregg Evans "An Egyptian group are close to securing a deal to take a majority control of #avfc Still a little bit of work to be done, but looks like Tony Xia is close to accepting a deal."
Gregg Evans "An Egyptian group are close to securing a deal to take a majority control of #avfc Still a little bit of work to be done, but looks like Tony Xia is close to accepting a deal."
Worried it might be a Pyramid scheme.
We’re very close to being sold to Egyptians. Now being reported.
Nigel Sphinx lined up as the new manager.
We’re very close to being sold to Egyptians. Now being reported.
I am now trying to work out if running out next season to The Bangles Walk Like An Egyptian would come across as a nice touch or just plain racist.
Nigel Sphinx lined up as the new manager.
We might yet have the Luxor-y of keeping hold of Jack
The excitement of seeing 2 pages added quickly on the thread only to find a pun-a-thon has broken out.
<applause>We might yet have the Luxor-y of keeping hold of Jack
Yeah we need to keep that Giza
Losing Chester IMO is the worst thing that could happen for the short term i.e. next season. Fucking hell.
Losing Chester IMO is the worst thing that could happen for the short term i.e. next season. Fucking hell.
Chester and Grealish are the only ones I would be bitterly disappointed to see leave this summer. If Chester goes to another Championship club for well under £10m it would be a real kick in the teeth.
Losing Chester IMO is the worst thing that could happen for the short term i.e. next season. Fucking hell.
Chester and Grealish are the only ones I would be bitterly disappointed to see leave this summer. If Chester goes to another Championship club for well under £10m it would be a real kick in the teeth.
Indeed, although maybe the new investors will Hathor cunning plan up their sleeves?
Losing Chester IMO is the worst thing that could happen for the short term i.e. next season. Fucking hell.
Chester and Grealish are the only ones I would be bitterly disappointed to see leave this summer. If Chester goes to another Championship club for well under £10m it would be a real kick in the teeth.
Indeed, although maybe the new investors will Hathor cunning plan up their sleeves?
The one thing that might work in our favour is that neither player is seemingly desperate to leave the club.
Losing Chester IMO is the worst thing that could happen for the short term i.e. next season. Fucking hell.
Chester and Grealish are the only ones I would be bitterly disappointed to see leave this summer. If Chester goes to another Championship club for well under £10m it would be a real kick in the teeth.
Indeed, although maybe the new investors will Hathor cunning plan up their sleeves?
The one thing that might work in our favour is that neither player is seemingly desperate to leave the club.
Is Mohammed Al-Fayed still about ?Please don't.
As in he expressionLosing Chester IMO is the worst thing that could happen for the short term i.e. next season. Fucking hell.
Chester and Grealish are the only ones I would be bitterly disappointed to see leave this summer. If Chester goes to another Championship club for well under £10m it would be a real kick in the teeth.
Indeed, although maybe the new investors will Hathor cunning plan up their sleeves?
The one thing that might work in our favour is that neither player is seemingly desperate to leave the club.
you can't blame Chester if he doesn't want a move to Stoke
even in the state we are in that's a downward move imo
Liking the puns everyone
Liking the puns everyone
I thought I'd missed out but we appear to have started a new Set.
I hope this takeover does happen now, I think it's Bes Horus all if it goes through quickly.
Of course if the deal is completed, we'll still have to worry about the EFL in depth fit and proper tests.................
If it doesn't take place it'll be another kick in the Asp.
All this talk of Middle East buyers reminds me of that time years ago when there was some excitement on here as someone had seen some "Arab looking people" getting "the treeatment" in the corporate facilities on a match day, only for them to turn out to be some blokes who owned a curry house in Sutton Coldfield.
Brilliant stuff. Like a story line for an episode of Only Fools and Horses.
;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Dr Tony Xia and Aston Villa Football Club (“the Club”) announce that NSWE, a company that is jointly owned and controlled by businessman Nassef Sawiris’ group NNS and businessman Wes Edens, will immediately inject significant investment capital into the Club. At the same time, Dr Tony Xia will become Co-Chairman and remain on the board.
The capital injection and transaction have been approved by the EFL and the parties will work through all confirmatory approvals required by the EFL as soon as possible.
The Club’s management remain focused on strengthening the squad and are fully aligned with the new investors who are supportive of their ambitions.
Dr Tony Xia and the Club are energised and excited about their interactions with Nassef and Wes and their teams and are confident that as strategic partners they bring exceptional business, sport and leisure expertise that will enhance the Club’s future prospects. The parties look forward to working in partnership to drive Aston Villa forward to success.
Dr Tony Xia commented: “I am extremely pleased to have formed a strategic partnership with Nassef and Wes. We have a common goal of delivering future success for Aston Villa and I look forward to working together to achieve this aim.
“To have come so close to achieving promotion last season was a humbling experience. In finding such strong partners as Nassef and Wes we’re gearing up to fight again and bring back the success that this Club deserves and we all so want to provide it with.
“The future is exciting on a number of fronts and I look forward to exploring further business collaborations.”
Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens commented: “As lifelong football fans, we are excited and privileged to have become part of this great Club. We believe that together we bring business and sports experience that will help strengthen the Club to ensure Aston Villa can return to its rightful place in the upper echelons of English football.
“Our goal is to bring sustainable success to the Club, building on its rich history while respecting its loyal fan base and unique culture. We understand that we are stewards of Aston Villa on behalf of the fans and we take that responsibility seriously.
“We look forward to working with Dr Tony to undertake a thorough assessment and evaluation of the Club in the coming weeks and our priority is to strengthen the squads and structures ahead of the upcoming season and beyond.”
Nassif - Wiki says: "As of September 2016, his net worth was estimated to be $5.3 billion"
I'm sure we can whittle that down...
Finally some positive news, hopefully leading to a takeover and forward thinking football people at the club.Indeed, what a nice start to the weekend.
Nassif - Wiki says: "As of September 2016, his net worth was estimated to be $5.3 billion"
I'm sure we can whittle that down...
pah, a mere peasant!Nassif - Wiki says: "As of September 2016, his net worth was estimated to be $5.3 billion"
I'm sure we can whittle that down...
And Wes is no. 369 on the Forbes list with a mere $2.5 billion
Good news - a UK-based gazillionaire should put to bed any further issues around paying tax bills and administration.
Daniel Levy you can suck my balls if you still think you're getting Jack on the cheap!Lol. Brilliant!
But the clown Xia remains on the scene - let's see how it pans out over the coming weeks and months
TX >DH@SPB= AVFC+TX +NSWE
[/quoteBut the clown Xia remains on the scene - let's see how it pans out over the coming weeks and months
TX >DH@SPB= AVFC+TX +NSWE
Xia remains..but not for long I suspect
If we can't get excited on the day two billionaires invest in our club then we never will! As a Wolves fan said to me just though "Hope they are better than the American and Chinese Billionaires you had before"
I might have missed something but I'm wondering why 2 apparently unconnected tycoons are joining forces? Each could afford to buy the club according to reports. Not looking for negatives. It's really exciting and if they're serious it's up to us to fill the ground to the rafters and roar them back to the prem.
If we can't get excited on the day two billionaires invest in our club then we never will! As a Wolves fan said to me just though "Hope they are better than the American and Chinese Billionaires you had before"
Bloody hell. Not much more to add right now but bloody hell. Well done all that brought this deal together so quickly.
Bloody hell. Not much more to add right now but bloody hell. Well done all that brought this deal together so quickly.
Woz sorry to correct you but Small Heath does not have a tip. It is a tip.
I might have missed something but I'm wondering why 2 apparently unconnected tycoons are joining forces? Each could afford to buy the club according to reports. Not looking for negatives. It's really exciting and if they're serious it's up to us to fill the ground to the rafters and roar them back to the prem.
Good news - a UK-based gazillionaire should put to bed any further issues around paying tax bills and administration.
A reputable H&V bean counter’s approval is the best validation we can get of this new found wealth. Just need Risso to second the motion.
Erm no we didn't. Away was great and I was there for most of them. There was an average of 10.000 empty seats at home. I know we had the highest average home attendance and I hate to admit it but Newcastle filled their ground every game when they won the league.We need our fans to get off their arses and get down to villa park.I might have missed something but I'm wondering why 2 apparently unconnected tycoons are joining forces? Each could afford to buy the club according to reports. Not looking for negatives. It's really exciting and if they're serious it's up to us to fill the ground to the rafters and roar them back to the prem.
Erm, we did that last season home and away.
Hate to sound negative but after all the fawning over the last 2 billionaire shysters who eventually brought us to our knees, I’ll reserve judgement on the latest set of billionaires until we’re in the clear. Once bitten and all that shit....
Hate to sound negative but after all the fawning over the last 2 billionaire shysters who eventually brought us to our knees, I’ll reserve judgement on the latest set of billionaires until we’re in the clear. Once bitten and all that shit....
These chaps sound legit from a quick glance on the internet, there’s no question that they have some money.
Good news - a UK-based gazillionaire should put to bed any further issues around paying tax bills and administration.
A reputable H&V bean counter’s approval is the best validation we can get of this new found wealth. Just need Risso to second the motion.
I’m in Bristol getting pissed so will defer to Adam’s considerable expertise.
Looks like good news though. First half of the problem in cash flow sorted, the second in FFP looks a bit harder to circumvent.
Woz sorry to correct you but Small Heath does not have a tip. It is a tip.Brilliant
These chaps sound legit from a quick glance on the internet, there’s no question that they have some money.
The fact that it took just a few seconds to find extensive online info on both certainly looks better than trying to dig out details on Tone. That was like cracking the genome
Losing Chester IMO is the worst thing that could happen for the short term i.e. next season. Fucking hell.
Chester and Grealish are the only ones I would be bitterly disappointed to see leave this summer. If Chester goes to another Championship club for well under £10m it would be a real kick in the teeth.
Indeed, although maybe the new investors will Hathor cunning plan up their sleeves?
The one thing that might work in our favour is that neither player is seemingly desperate to leave the club.
But why would they stay?
If we don't sell them we'll definitely breach FFP. Doesn't matter how rich any potential new owner is - the cost base is just too high.
So if we keep them and win the league but breach FFP the league will just refuse us promotion, as they can under the current rules. So Grealish and Chester literally have no possibility of getting promoted with the Villa. So why bother?
Them going helps us and them. There's no way it won't happen.
Fair play to Dr T for appearing to have dug us out of the hole he had got us into. On face value they seem solid, reliable and rich blokes. It appears Edens is or was joint owner of the Milwaukee Bucks, so we should be able to dig out some information as to how they have fared under his control.
Should we have a new thread? NSWE Investment?
Woz sorry to correct you but Small Heath does not have a tip. It is a tip.
Should we have a new thread? NSWE Investment?
Aye, would make sense. With the club statement this looks solid.
Lets hope what made him famous in Milwaukee doesn't make a loser out of us :)Fair play to Dr T for appearing to have dug us out of the hole he had got us into. On face value they seem solid, reliable and rich blokes. It appears Edens is or was joint owner of the Milwaukee Bucks, so we should be able to dig out some information as to how they have fared under his control.
I've asked a lawyer turned journalist in Milwaukee for some info too.
Fair play to Dr T for appearing to have dug us out of the hole he had got us into. On face value they seem solid, reliable and rich blokes. It appears Edens is or was joint owner of the Milwaukee Bucks, so we should be able to dig out some information as to how they have fared under his control.
I've asked a lawyer turned journalist in Milwaukee for some info too.
Nassef Sawiris owns 5 percent of Adidas, spread the word to all the Bluenoses that every time they buy a kit they are literally supporting Aston Villa 😎😏😂
Nassef Sawiris owns 5 percent of Adidas, spread the word to all the Bluenoses that every time they buy a kit they are literally supporting Aston Villa 😎😏😂
Priceless, as they say
More importantly has Tony Xia told Daniel Levy to fuck off yet?
If you fancy a laugh, look at that lot.com's (massive) Villa thread, loads of bantz about how we're going tits up, penniless, followed by a serious hush as they all realise we're getting billionaire owners.
It's a bit like this:
(https://i.imgur.com/FFVl02S.gif)
Hopefully Wes will send his daughter over to look after his interests?
https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2729964-bucks-co-owner-wes-edens-daughter-mallory-tells-tmz-she-wants-to-buy-knicks
https://www.instagram.com/mallory_edens/?hl=en
Hopefully Wes will send his daughter over to look after his interests?
https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2729964-bucks-co-owner-wes-edens-daughter-mallory-tells-tmz-she-wants-to-buy-knicks
https://www.instagram.com/mallory_edens/?hl=en
Nassef Sawiris owns 5 percent of Adidas, spread the word to all the Bluenoses that every time they buy a kit they are literally supporting Aston Villa 😎😏😂
Priceless, as they say
Nassef Sawiris owns 5 percent of Adidas, spread the word to all the Bluenoses that every time they buy a kit they are literally supporting Aston Villa 😎😏😂
Priceless, as they say
We can tell the noses that Adidas now stands for A Dime In the Dollar goes to Aston Villa.
;DNassef Sawiris owns 5 percent of Adidas, spread the word to all the Bluenoses that every time they buy a kit they are literally supporting Aston Villa 😎😏😂
Priceless, as they say
We can tell the noses that Adidas now stands for A Dime In the Dollar goes to Aston Villa.
If you fancy a laugh, look at that lot.com's (massive) Villa thread, loads of bantz about how we're going tits up, penniless, followed by a serious hush as they all realise we're getting billionaire owners.
It's a bit like this:
(https://i.imgur.com/FFVl02S.gif)
It’s a positive development and one which hopefully starts us on the road back to the PL. I also think that Dr Tony’s days are numbered as these guys will seek to buy him out within a year.
It’s a relief to finally feel good about the Villa again. Although our experience with Lerner and Xia do make hope that this is third time lucky.
Nassef Sawiris owns 5 percent of Adidas, spread the word to all the Bluenoses that every time they buy a kit they are literally supporting Aston Villa 😎😏😂
Nassef Sawiris owns 5 percent of Adidas, spread the word to all the Bluenoses that every time they buy a kit they are literally supporting Aston Villa 😎😏😂Ha ha. Hilarious
To me this last paragraph....
“We look forward to working with Dr Tony to undertake a thorough assessment and evaluation of the Club in the coming weeks and our priority is to strengthen the squads and structures ahead of the upcoming season and beyond.”
Suggests only a matter of time before they take over completely
To me this last paragraph....
“We look forward to working with Dr Tony to undertake a thorough assessment and evaluation of the Club in the coming weeks and our priority is to strengthen the squads and structures ahead of the upcoming season and beyond.”
Suggests only a matter of time before they take over completely
Not necessarily. I would think they all see each party bringing a different range of skills and experiences to the table.
To me this last paragraph....
“We look forward to working with Dr Tony to undertake a thorough assessment and evaluation of the Club in the coming weeks and our priority is to strengthen the squads and structures ahead of the upcoming season and beyond.”
Suggests only a matter of time before they take over completely
Not necessarily. I would think they all see each party bringing a different range of skills and experiences to the table.
Tony’s bringing the flags
To me this last paragraph....
“We look forward to working with Dr Tony to undertake a thorough assessment and evaluation of the Club in the coming weeks and our priority is to strengthen the squads and structures ahead of the upcoming season and beyond.”
Suggests only a matter of time before they take over completely
Personally, I think Tony will be gone between Christmas and New Year, allows him to save face, and hand over properly. Onward and upwards, I hope!!
Not necessarily. I would think they all see each party bringing a different range of skills and experiences to the table.
Next season’s Guess The Crowd includes who’s sitting next to Tony ;)
Mr Xia-child-progidy-Olympic-designer-multi-billionaire-Harvard Graduate in Gardening- allegedly- owner of failed Companies - rebuked by China Stock Exchange - Lost Face/ Lost Trust- at Home
Mr Xia..... Chinese CON MAN
This Guy.... will NEVER show his Face at Villa ever again....
His seat is EMPTY
HE IS A COWARD.. A LIAR
OK ?
Briatore, Ecclestone and Mittal had a ton of money at QPR and made a complete fucking mess of it, let’s not get too carried away just yet eh?
As for Xia doing the right thing, it was the absolute least he could have done.
Today is a belter.
Finished on site for the last time, starting a perfect new job on Monday, in Hotel Du Vin now waiting for my wife to go and celebrate her 40th, and then this drops.
This has bookended a truly shit 12 months personally, I'm absolutely made up.
Briatore, Ecclestone and Mittal had a ton of money at QPR and made a complete fucking mess of it, let’s not get too carried away just yet eh?
As for Xia doing the right thing, it was the absolute least he could have done.
What would have to happen to make you not get carried away? A 20 point head start due to us being unfortunate last time around?
This time yesterday it was "The target is to stay in the division by playing the youth team", today it is " our priority is to strengthen the squads and structures".
Come on, let your hair down and enjoy the moment. We've had 4 or 5 weeks of sheer hell.
Briatore, Ecclestone and Mittal had a ton of money at QPR and made a complete fucking mess of it, let’s not get too carried away just yet eh?
As for Xia doing the right thing, it was the absolute least he could have done.
What would have to happen to make you not get carried away? A 20 point head start due to us being unfortunate last time around?
This time yesterday it was "The target is to stay in the division by playing the youth team", today it is " our priority is to strengthen the squads and structures".
Come on, let your hair down and enjoy the moment. We've had 4 or 5 weeks of sheer hell.
You’ll forgive my pessimism given the last 2 clowns we’ve had as owners, this isn’t some brilliant businessman who’s pulled off some coup, this is a man who’s run the club into the ground almost and has had to mortgage a car park to pay the bills. Time will tell whether this is a good deal or not.
Today is a belter.
Finished on site for the last time, starting a perfect new job on Monday, in Hotel Du Vin now waiting for my wife to go and celebrate her 40th, and then this drops.
This has bookended a truly shit 12 months personally, I'm absolutely made up.
Congratulations, and yes seems good!
Briatore, Ecclestone and Mittal had a ton of money at QPR and made a complete fucking mess of it, let’s not get too carried away just yet eh?
As for Xia doing the right thing, it was the absolute least he could have done.
What would have to happen to make you not get carried away? A 20 point head start due to us being unfortunate last time around?
This time yesterday it was "The target is to stay in the division by playing the youth team", today it is " our priority is to strengthen the squads and structures".
Come on, let your hair down and enjoy the moment. We've had 4 or 5 weeks of sheer hell.
You’ll forgive my pessimism given the last 2 clowns we’ve had as owners, this isn’t some brilliant businessman who’s pulled off some coup, this is a man who’s run the club into the ground almost and has had to mortgage a car park to pay the bills. Time will tell whether this is a good deal or not.
How could it possibly not be a good deal?
The alternative was administration, a points deduction and almost certain relegation. The new owners/future owners are seriously wealthy and have a vast amount of experience. They are everything that Xia is not.
Carry on beating yourself up for "beating yourself up" sake if you wish but don't expect anyone else to join in with your suicide theme.
Briatore, Ecclestone and Mittal had a ton of money at QPR and made a complete fucking mess of it, let’s not get too carried away just yet eh?
As for Xia doing the right thing, it was the absolute least he could have done.
Briatore, Ecclestone and Mittal had a ton of money at QPR and made a complete fucking mess of it, let’s not get too carried away just yet eh?
As for Xia doing the right thing, it was the absolute least he could have done.
What would have to happen to make you not get carried away? A 20 point head start due to us being unfortunate last time around?
This time yesterday it was "The target is to stay in the division by playing the youth team", today it is " our priority is to strengthen the squads and structures".
Come on, let your hair down and enjoy the moment. We've had 4 or 5 weeks of sheer hell.
You’ll forgive my pessimism given the last 2 clowns we’ve had as owners, this isn’t some brilliant businessman who’s pulled off some coup, this is a man who’s run the club into the ground almost and has had to mortgage a car park to pay the bills. Time will tell whether this is a good deal or not.
How could it possibly not be a good deal?
The alternative was administration, a points deduction and almost certain relegation. The new owners/future owners are seriously wealthy and have a vast amount of experience. They are everything that Xia is not.
Carry on beating yourself up for "beating yourself up" sake if you wish but don't expect anyone else to join in with your suicide theme.
How could it possibly not be a good deal? Well there’s about a million reasons why not and nobody outside of the Villa boardroom knows the fine print.
I’m happy Xia has found a backer, but I’m not getting carried away just yet, there’s no magic cure for us and it will take time.
Today is a belter.
Finished on site for the last time, starting a perfect new job on Monday, in Hotel Du Vin now waiting for my wife to go and celebrate her 40th, and then this drops.
This has bookended a truly shit 12 months personally, I'm absolutely made up.
Ahhhhh fuck it, I’ve had a couple of gins now and all is good in the world, fuck off Daniel Levy as well.
Today is a belter.
Finished on site for the last time, starting a perfect new job on Monday, in Hotel Du Vin now waiting for my wife to go and celebrate her 40th, and then this drops.
This has bookended a truly shit 12 months personally, I'm absolutely made up.
bet your on a promise as well mate
Ahhhhh fuck it, I’ve had a couple of gins now and all is good in the world, fuck off Daniel Levy as well.
this has made my week too - and I'm not on a promise, sadly.
Crivens! It looks like the cavalry have arrived just in time. Here's to the new guys sorting out the financial mess quicksticks; and setting us up for a positive season on the pitch.Crivens and quicksticks in one post, fantastic!
Marvelous scenes
Told ya we would be reet this week. It's a decent deal and plenty to spend WHEN we go up. Don't expect zillions chucked at it now though.You did indeed Chelts.
Told ya we would be reet this week. It's a decent deal and plenty to spend WHEN we go up. Don't expect zillions chucked at it now though.You did indeed Chelts.
Have you shifted from seeing us as too far gone to be able to keep Jack?
Told ya we would be reet this week. It's a decent deal and plenty to spend WHEN we go up. Don't expect zillions chucked at it now though.You did indeed Chelts.
Have you shifted from seeing us as too far gone to be able to keep Jack?
No. He is still getting sold but at least we get to keep our trousers on whilst negotiating it.
Told ya we would be reet this week. It's a decent deal and plenty to spend WHEN we go up. Don't expect zillions chucked at it now though.You did indeed Chelts.
Have you shifted from seeing us as too far gone to be able to keep Jack?
No. He is still getting sold but at least we get to keep our trousers on whilst negotiating it.
Any potential to invest something in our playing squad now?
Surely it's merely a matter of calling our ground - The NSWE Park of Villa they then give us a load of dough for the privilege and then Bruce gets millions to buy the next Ross McCormack and Micah Richards?I've heard McCormack and Richards are quite tasty at American football. 40 million Is my estimate. ;)
I think Eden’s is a basket ball man and Mcormack is a excellent jumperr :oSurely it's merely a matter of calling our ground - The NSWE Park of Villa they then give us a load of dough for the privilege and then Bruce gets millions to buy the next Ross McCormack and Micah Richards?I've heard McCormack and Richards are quite tasty at American football. 40 million Is my estimate. ;)
Altered, but you know where I'm coming from.I think Eden’s is a basket ball man and Mcormack is a excellent jumperr :oSurely it's merely a matter of calling our ground - The NSWE Park of Villa they then give us a load of dough for the privilege and then Bruce gets millions to buy the next Ross McCormack and Micah Richards?I've heard McCormack and Richards are quite tasty at Basketbal. 40 million Is my estimate. ;)
Told ya we would be reet this week. It's a decent deal and plenty to spend WHEN we go up. Don't expect zillions chucked at it now though.You did indeed Chelts.
Have you shifted from seeing us as too far gone to be able to keep Jack?
No. He is still getting sold but at least we get to keep our trousers on whilst negotiating it.
Any potential to invest something in our playing squad now?
Yes.
Told ya we would be reet this week. It's a decent deal and plenty to spend WHEN we go up. Don't expect zillions chucked at it now though.You did indeed Chelts.
Have you shifted from seeing us as too far gone to be able to keep Jack?
No. He is still getting sold but at least we get to keep our trousers on whilst negotiating it.
Told ya we would be reet this week. It's a decent deal and plenty to spend WHEN we go up. Don't expect zillions chucked at it now though.You did indeed Chelts.
Have you shifted from seeing us as too far gone to be able to keep Jack?
No. He is still getting sold but at least we get to keep our trousers on whilst negotiating it.
Do you have inside knowledge on this? How can you be so sure? The potential sales of Chester, Kodja, Jedinak and Bjarnanson could almost equate to the figure we’d get for Jack? Whilst knocking a helluva lot more off the wage bill.
Having Jack in our side will keep us so much more competitive that we just have to look a every viable option to keep him at the club.
Don't get too excited, the investment is a new contract for Gabby.
Told ya we would be reet this week. It's a decent deal and plenty to spend WHEN we go up. Don't expect zillions chucked at it now though.You did indeed Chelts.
Have you shifted from seeing us as too far gone to be able to keep Jack?
No. He is still getting sold but at least we get to keep our trousers on whilst negotiating it.
Do you have inside knowledge on this? How can you be so sure? The potential sales of Chester, Kodja, Jedinak and Bjarnanson could almost equate to the figure we’d get for Jack? Whilst knocking a helluva lot more off the wage bill.
Having Jack in our side will keep us so much more competitive that we just have to look a every viable option to keep him at the club.
Yes to your first question.
Can we buy Grealish back from Spurs?Told ya we would be reet this week. It's a decent deal and plenty to spend WHEN we go up. Don't expect zillions chucked at it now though.You did indeed Chelts.
Have you shifted from seeing us as too far gone to be able to keep Jack?
No. He is still getting sold but at least we get to keep our trousers on whilst negotiating it.
Any potential to invest something in our playing squad now?
Yes.
Can we buy Grealish back from Spurs?Told ya we would be reet this week. It's a decent deal and plenty to spend WHEN we go up. Don't expect zillions chucked at it now though.You did indeed Chelts.
Have you shifted from seeing us as too far gone to be able to keep Jack?
No. He is still getting sold but at least we get to keep our trousers on whilst negotiating it.
Any potential to invest something in our playing squad now?
Yes.
Told ya we would be reet this week. It's a decent deal and plenty to spend WHEN we go up. Don't expect zillions chucked at it now though.You did indeed Chelts.
Have you shifted from seeing us as too far gone to be able to keep Jack?
No. He is still getting sold but at least we get to keep our trousers on whilst negotiating it.
Do you have inside knowledge on this? How can you be so sure? The potential sales of Chester, Kodja, Jedinak and Bjarnanson could almost equate to the figure we’d get for Jack? Whilst knocking a helluva lot more off the wage bill.
Having Jack in our side will keep us so much more competitive that we just have to look a every viable option to keep him at the club.
Yes to your first question.
Care to elaborate?
I hate to rain on the undoubtedly great parade but I really don’t think this makes a difference to FFP. Selling Jack and Chester still must be on the cards but what it does mean is that Bruce (or Henry) will have a bit more money to bring replacements in. I hope they are going to adopt the Fulham model of getting us up.If the Fulham model means getting a tactically-canny management team, bring it on.
Told ya we would be reet this week. It's a decent deal and plenty to spend WHEN we go up. Don't expect zillions chucked at it now though.You did indeed Chelts.
Have you shifted from seeing us as too far gone to be able to keep Jack?
No. He is still getting sold but at least we get to keep our trousers on whilst negotiating it.
Do you have inside knowledge on this? How can you be so sure? The potential sales of Chester, Kodja, Jedinak and Bjarnanson could almost equate to the figure we’d get for Jack? Whilst knocking a helluva lot more off the wage bill.
Having Jack in our side will keep us so much more competitive that we just have to look a every viable option to keep him at the club.
Yes to your first question.
Care to elaborate?
Not really.
Told ya we would be reet this week. It's a decent deal and plenty to spend WHEN we go up. Don't expect zillions chucked at it now though.You did indeed Chelts.
Have you shifted from seeing us as too far gone to be able to keep Jack?
No. He is still getting sold but at least we get to keep our trousers on whilst negotiating it.
Do you have inside knowledge on this? How can you be so sure? The potential sales of Chester, Kodja, Jedinak and Bjarnanson could almost equate to the figure we’d get for Jack? Whilst knocking a helluva lot more off the wage bill.
Having Jack in our side will keep us so much more competitive that we just have to look a every viable option to keep him at the club.
Yes to your first question.
Care to elaborate?
Not really.
Fair enough. And there was me thinking you'd just got off the blower with the new owners.
Co chairmen is a face saver it never works in practice, the majority shareholder will call the shots. All I could ask for now is for Steve Stride to be re-employed now that would set the tone of how the club would be run in future.
Co chairmen is a face saver it never works in practice, the majority shareholder will call the shots. All I could ask for now is for Steve Stride to be re-employed now that would set the tone of how the club would be run in future.
The fact that Sawiris is now listed as Executive Chairman on the website, with Edens and Xia simply as Co-Chairmen suggests where the new power really lies
More than ever we need a highly competent chief executive to run this club. I'd like to see us target Nicola Cortese and pay him what he wants.
More than ever we need a highly competent chief executive to run this club. I'd like to see us target Nicola Cortese and pay him what he wants.
In an interview with The Times in March 2010, Cortese discussed his approach to running a football club.
Clubs spend money they do not have; they spend next year’s income. They spend money that will not arrive for two years and say, "But we'll have some success and bring in more cash to cover the shortfall". It cannot be sustained. In good times you need to be saving money for the bad times. If we reach the Premier League, I would like to be in a position where we did not need parachute payments. In good years you should put money away for the bad years.[2]
We're still running, that's the main thing here. FFP still fucks us up a bit and limits what we can do so let's not get carried away.
One thing about investors is always that they'll pull the plug if they don't see a return coming. So let's hope they make their investment work.
Egypt’s richest family owns Aston Villa I’m fcukin still pinching myself. He’s worth more than the Glazer bloke.
More than ever we need a highly competent chief executive to run this club. I'd like to see us target Nicola Cortese and pay him what he wants.I’d like to see us target Nicola key
More than ever we need a highly competent chief executive to run this club. I'd like to see us target Nicola Cortese and pay him what he wants.Did he appoint Les Reed as director of football at Southampton ? If so can we target both please 👍
We’re like the candle that you blow out, yet it comes back alight!
Question marks over the Doc’s decisions but he came in, livened things up, loved the club, was desperate to win, ultimately failed but then sold on quickly to extremely rich owners (despite all the stuff about selling a majority share being too humiliating). Plenty worse out there.Have to agree, at least he lives in the modern world. If this was plan B then I guess he has done what he said he would. Time will tell.
Question marks over the Doc’s decisions but he came in, livened things up, loved the club, was desperate to win, ultimately failed but then sold on quickly to extremely rich owners (despite all the stuff about selling a majority share being too humiliating). Plenty worse out there.Have to agree, at least he lives in the modern world. If this was plan B then I guess he has done what he said he would. Time will tell.
Keep taking the pills
I really wish that some of us ... UNDERSTOOD.
Mr Xia was seeeking investments internally in China... the mainland, not HK.... for his other busineses for over 12 months..... as reported in the SC News.
This Spin about him being unable to fund us, because of Mainland restrictions on the export of Capital..... he's never mentioned himself.
Because it isn't true.
Yes, there wereCapital-Outflow-Restrictions placed by the Mainland Govt.... BUT.... they did not prevent nor curtail Chinese involvment and investment in Germany/Spain/Italy... even the West Midlands, where Wolves have left Mr Xia in their dust....
It is even now being spun, that Wyness brought the US investor to us... and he got sacked for that...if that's true, he's won his case and is £6mill better-off :D
I really wish that some of us ... UNDERSTOOD. ;D
The new owners
CANNOT BUY players.
CANNOT increase contract values to retain players
CANNOT spend a penny / cent / old aliminium coins
Because of FFP
They are the new guardians of us, and seem the most sensible in decades, business-wise. Would be great if they could throw millions at us.... BUT...THEY CAN'T
Because of FFP
The 'Benefactor-Model' can't work now. Thanks to Mr Xia.
WE have to equate our incomings with our outgoings ..
More than EQUATE....bloody reduce it.... and we have little time to do that..... We can't rename everything...except VP... to earn income.... but that will be for next season, as will player-sales.
This season.... we can't buy without selling... we can't invest even with 2 very rich owners....
WHICH......
THANK YOU Mr TONY...you've put us here and basically frozen us for a year or more.... through your TOTAL INCOMPETENCE
Always nice to get B.S Johnson’s take on events.
Alfititmus where have you been? If I am the new billionaire owner I can rename the Ticket Office car park as “Olaf’s allotment” and pay £50M a year for it through one of my off shoot concerns somewhere in the world. Billionaires usually have more than a corner shop they look after. Nothing to stop me if that is what I wanted to do.No there’s nothing to stop you. But it wouldn’t help FFP as it’s clearly not fair market value for the sponsorship so the funding would be excluded from any FPP calculation
Question marks over the Doc’s decisions but he came in, livened things up, loved the club, was desperate to win, ultimately failed but then sold on quickly to extremely rich owners (despite all the stuff about selling a majority share being too humiliating). Plenty worse out there.
Although I am not saying that Xia didn't add to our financial problems but he inherited a financial time bomb of existing players' contracts. I think this gets forgotten with what has gone on since.
Although I am not saying that Xia didn't add to our financial problems but he inherited a financial time bomb of existing players' contracts. I think this gets forgotten with what has gone on since.
Although I am not saying that Xia didn't add to our financial problems but he inherited a financial time bomb of existing players' contracts. I think this gets forgotten with what has gone on since.
It's not forgotten, but Xia bought the club, and when you do, you buy all of the assets and liabilities that it has. He'd have done his due diligence so none of it should have been a surprise.
Alfititmus where have you been? If I am the new billionaire owner I can rename the Ticket Office car park as “Olaf’s allotment” and pay £50M a year for it through one of my off shoot concerns somewhere in the world. Billionaires usually have more than a corner shop they look after. Nothing to stop me if that is what I wanted to do.
Haha...I am going to turn the car park into a million cabbage plots charging customers £100 each per annum. Job done.
Was he naïve? Or did he entrust the available funds to people who spent it on the wrong players in the wrong system? - maybe that was his naivety (answering my own question!).Although I am not saying that Xia didn't add to our financial problems but he inherited a financial time bomb of existing players' contracts. I think this gets forgotten with what has gone on since.
It's not forgotten, but Xia bought the club, and when you do, you buy all of the assets and liabilities that it has. He'd have done his due diligence so none of it should have been a surprise.
That's true so none of it should have been a surprise. But the approach he took was to invest to get us out as opposed to a more conservative approach. Which could have been the way to go. No doubt there was naivety in a number of his decisions along with mistakes.
Anyone read the FT article on why the Chinese owners are having difficulty? It's behind a paywall so I can't get back on again, though you may be able to first time.
Was he naïve? Or did he entrust the available funds to people who spent it on the wrong players in the wrong system? - maybe that was his naivety (answering my own question!).Although I am not saying that Xia didn't add to our financial problems but he inherited a financial time bomb of existing players' contracts. I think this gets forgotten with what has gone on since.
It's not forgotten, but Xia bought the club, and when you do, you buy all of the assets and liabilities that it has. He'd have done his due diligence so none of it should have been a surprise.
That's true so none of it should have been a surprise. But the approach he took was to invest to get us out as opposed to a more conservative approach. Which could have been the way to go. No doubt there was naivety in a number of his decisions along with mistakes.
Was he naïve? Or did he entrust the available funds to people who spent it on the wrong players in the wrong system? - maybe that was his naivety (answering my own question!).Although I am not saying that Xia didn't add to our financial problems but he inherited a financial time bomb of existing players' contracts. I think this gets forgotten with what has gone on since.
It's not forgotten, but Xia bought the club, and when you do, you buy all of the assets and liabilities that it has. He'd have done his due diligence so none of it should have been a surprise.
That's true so none of it should have been a surprise. But the approach he took was to invest to get us out as opposed to a more conservative approach. Which could have been the way to go. No doubt there was naivety in a number of his decisions along with mistakes.
The problem was that the funds that he said were available, and signed off the annual accounts to this effect, actually weren't.
Or were when he signed them and subsequently became unavailable.
Tony was full of shady shit but deserves a modicum of thanks for getting two genuinely minted people n board to save the club from oblivion. I wouldn't bet on seeing him inside VP again, mind.
Tony was full of shady shit but deserves a modicum of thanks for getting two genuinely minted people n board to save the club from oblivion. I wouldn't bet on seeing him inside VP again, mind.
You’re not for one minute suggesting that a seat next to Tony comp has finished !?
It would be great to see what happens if it is still on and aLF TiTiMUs gets to SIT NEXt TO HiM ::)That would probably remove Tone from the Board, quick-like.
It would be great to see what happens if it is still on and aLF TiTiMUs gets to SIT NEXt TO HiM ::)Both have unusual ways of typing, never been seen together :o
Do you see a valedictory appearance at VP, Chelts?
How do your words and sentences sound in conversation when the letters are a mix of capitals and lower case sprinkled with emoji's?Just checking - you do realise I was being ironic don't you ?
Fred these foreigners don't get irony.Lol - reminds me of the Blackadder scene where he says to Baldrick " You really don't understand irony do you Baldrick ?"
That question also applies to Chicago LionHey Fred I was referring to Mr TiiTmUs :D,,,,
es when AP Leamington ruled!The Brakes
You wear bad shoes, you pay the price.
No surprise here, the guys a total fraud.
You wear bad shoes, you pay the price.
No surprise here, the guys a total fraud.
The shit shoed barsteward.
You wear bad shoes, you pay the price.
No surprise here, the guys a total fraud.
The shit shoed barsteward.
You wear bad shoes, you pay the price.
No surprise here, the guys a total fraud.
The shit shoed barsteward.
Lesbian Fruit?
You wear bad shoes, you pay the price.
No surprise here, the guys a total fraud.
The shit shoed barsteward.
Lesbian Fruit?
You calling my car a queer?
He claimed upon taking over Villa to be a billionaire but he was actually a frontman for other investors' cash
I remember expressing that opinion and being ‘corrected’,
That play off final defeat to Fulham is literally one of the best results in our history.
You wear bad shoes, you pay the price.
And he passes the fit and proper owners test how exactly? Christ what a lucky escape we had. Thank God for Wes and Nassef.
You wear bad shoes, you pay the price.
I always wondered what happened to that lad that kept banging on about Jeffery West shoes.
Keith Wyness just tweeted “Karma is a bitch”
At present, Xia Jiantong has been included in the list of untrustworthy executors and is restricted from leaving the country.
He says it's all bollocks on Twitter.😂 yes that picture looks not in place.
That wanted poster is one pirate ship away from looking shopped to be fair.
He says it's all bollocks on Twitter.
That wanted poster is one pirate ship away from looking shopped to be fair.
A chancer, a fraudster and a shyster walk into a bar.Combined with Keith...
"Hello, Dr Xia, what can I get you to drink?"
From the doctor:
Ironical experience as I was trapped by competitor while I been away China.I haven’t been arrested as born out by being able to send this tweet. I am not in hiding. The claims are false &been created by a local competitor attempting to cause damage to me. Legal action to follow.
Also very FUNNY how some people talk when they wanted to take Villa into administration which would have meant -12 points &a very bleak future, but asking for extra payment for himself. I NEVER regretful for what I tried for beloved AV including the best exit in circumstances!
I took only one word ‘ VERITAS’with me when I completed my education at Harvard and followed it since then. Though there are very different in many ways in my home country but you can never hate your mother for anything you disagree or dislike. Was hoping sports can embrace ALL!
So Doug unearthed the biggest richest fuckwit in America to sell to, who in turn unearthed a dodgy booted Chinese bulshitting Del Boy to sell to. It woudln't surprise me now to find that NSWE are really a couple of Z list Autralian radio show hosts on an elaborate prank.
And he passes the fit and proper owners test how exactly? Christ what a lucky escape we had. Thank God for Wes and Nassef.
That play off final defeat to Fulham is literally one of the best results in our history.
So Doug unearthed the biggest richest fuckwit in America to sell to, who in turn unearthed a dodgy booted Chinese bulshitting Del Boy to sell to. It woudln't surprise me now to find that NSWE are really a couple of Z list Autralian radio show hosts on an elaborate prank.
So Doug unearthed the biggest richest fuckwit in America to sell to, who in turn unearthed a dodgy booted Chinese bulshitting Del Boy to sell to. It woudln't surprise me now to find that NSWE are really a couple of Z list Autralian radio show hosts on an elaborate prank.
Who was that guy we briefly appointed as chairman in the relegation season primarily to find a buyer, I forget his name but he basically sourced Xia.
So Doug unearthed the biggest richest fuckwit in America to sell to, who in turn unearthed a dodgy booted Chinese bulshitting Del Boy to sell to. It woudln't surprise me now to find that NSWE are really a couple of Z list Autralian radio show hosts on an elaborate prank.
Who was that guy we briefly appointed as chairman in the relegation season primarily to find a buyer, I forget his name but he basically sourced Xia.
Steve Hollis?
That play off final defeat to Fulham is literally one of the best results in our history.
Spot on with regards to our most recent history.
So Doug unearthed the biggest richest fuckwit in America to sell to, who in turn unearthed a dodgy booted Chinese bulshitting Del Boy to sell to. It woudln't surprise me now to find that NSWE are really a couple of Z list Autralian radio show hosts on an elaborate prank.
Who was that guy we briefly appointed as chairman in the relegation season primarily to find a buyer, I forget his name but he basically sourced Xia.
Steve Hollis?
Ah that's him. I read he's involved with HS2 so still prominent around Birmingham business. Wonder if anyone has come across in last year and asked him about selling to Xia. Guess he had little choice.
So Doug unearthed the biggest richest fuckwit in America to sell to, who in turn unearthed a dodgy booted Chinese bulshitting Del Boy to sell to. It woudln't surprise me now to find that NSWE are really a couple of Z list Autralian radio show hosts on an elaborate prank.
Who was that guy we briefly appointed as chairman in the relegation season primarily to find a buyer, I forget his name but he basically sourced Xia.
Steve Hollis?
Ah that's him. I read he's involved with HS2 so still prominent around Birmingham business. Wonder if anyone has come across in last year and asked him about selling to Xia. Guess he had little choice.
He lives behind my sister. I've caught his rueful gaze for being a ruddy oik trespassing on his land a good few years before his involvement with us.
From the doctor:
Ironical experience as I was trapped by competitor while I been away China.I haven’t been arrested as born out by being able to send this tweet. I am not in hiding. The claims are false &been created by a local competitor attempting to cause damage to me. Legal action to follow.
Also very FUNNY how some people talk when they wanted to take Villa into administration which would have meant -12 points &a very bleak future, but asking for extra payment for himself. I NEVER regretful for what I tried for beloved AV including the best exit in circumstances!
I took only one word ‘ VERITAS’with me when I completed my education at Harvard and followed it since then. Though there are very different in many ways in my home country but you can never hate your mother for anything you disagree or dislike. Was hoping sports can embrace ALL!
Harvard no doubt will be very disappointed that only one word 'landed' for one of their 'cum laude' graduates.From the doctor:
Ironical experience as I was trapped by competitor while I been away China.I haven’t been arrested as born out by being able to send this tweet. I am not in hiding. The claims are false &been created by a local competitor attempting to cause damage to me. Legal action to follow.
Also very FUNNY how some people talk when they wanted to take Villa into administration which would have meant -12 points &a very bleak future, but asking for extra payment for himself. I NEVER regretful for what I tried for beloved AV including the best exit in circumstances!
I took only one word ‘ VERITAS’with me when I completed my education at Harvard and followed it since then. Though there are very different in many ways in my home country but you can never hate your mother for anything you disagree or dislike. Was hoping sports can embrace ALL!
It’s...............................Rebekah Vardy would have ended this better.
From the doctor:
Ironical experience as I was trapped by competitor while I been away China.I haven’t been arrested as born out by being able to send this tweet. I am not in hiding. The claims are false &been created by a local competitor attempting to cause damage to me. Legal action to follow.
Also very FUNNY how some people talk when they wanted to take Villa into administration which would have meant -12 points &a very bleak future, but asking for extra payment for himself. I NEVER regretful for what I tried for beloved AV including the best exit in circumstances!
I took only one word ‘ VERITAS’with me when I completed my education at Harvard and followed it since then. Though there are very different in many ways in my home country but you can never hate your mother for anything you disagree or dislike. Was hoping sports can embrace ALL!
Harvard no doubt will be very disappointed that only one word 'landed' for one of their 'cum laude' graduates.From the doctor:
Ironical experience as I was trapped by competitor while I been away China.I haven’t been arrested as born out by being able to send this tweet. I am not in hiding. The claims are false &been created by a local competitor attempting to cause damage to me. Legal action to follow.
Also very FUNNY how some people talk when they wanted to take Villa into administration which would have meant -12 points &a very bleak future, but asking for extra payment for himself. I NEVER regretful for what I tried for beloved AV including the best exit in circumstances!
I took only one word ‘ VERITAS’with me when I completed my education at Harvard and followed it since then. Though there are very different in many ways in my home country but you can never hate your mother for anything you disagree or dislike. Was hoping sports can embrace ALL!
It’s...............................Rebekah Vardy would have ended this better.
Harvard no doubt will be very disappointed that only one word 'landed' for one of their 'cum laude' graduates.From the doctor:
Ironical experience as I was trapped by competitor while I been away China.I haven’t been arrested as born out by being able to send this tweet. I am not in hiding. The claims are false &been created by a local competitor attempting to cause damage to me. Legal action to follow.
Also very FUNNY how some people talk when they wanted to take Villa into administration which would have meant -12 points &a very bleak future, but asking for extra payment for himself. I NEVER regretful for what I tried for beloved AV including the best exit in circumstances!
I took only one word ‘ VERITAS’with me when I completed my education at Harvard and followed it since then. Though there are very different in many ways in my home country but you can never hate your mother for anything you disagree or dislike. Was hoping sports can embrace ALL!
It’s...............................Rebekah Vardy would have ended this better.
Interesting how people jumped in with the warrant for arrest line and thought it was true yet don't have decency to hold hands up and admit they cast stones without knowing full story.I imagine no-one but Tony knows the truth.
Xia speaks out and none of those people who criticize him from such news then don't come back here and say anything after its branded fake news.
Wish people could learn a bit more from things as there hardly any attempt to debate more just quick to judgement or ignore what's been said as it doesn't fit criteria in confirmation bias of thinking .
Embrassing really.
Twitter still seems to be the Tony Xia Fan Club.
Someone take Twitter off him and fatty Wyness.
Shaun Teale making some interesting comments re FPA on Wyness’ Twitter feed.
Interesting how people jumped in with the warrant for arrest line and thought it was true yet don't have decency to hold hands up and admit they cast stones without knowing full story.
Xia speaks out and none of those people who criticize him from such news then don't come back here and say anything after its branded fake news.
Wish people could learn a bit more from things as there hardly any attempt to debate more just quick to judgement or ignore what's been said as it doesn't fit criteria in confirmation bias of thinking .
Embrassing really.
I did that a few pages back, plagiarist :)Interesting how people jumped in with the warrant for arrest line and thought it was true yet don't have decency to hold hands up and admit they cast stones without knowing full story.
Xia speaks out and none of those people who criticize him from such news then don't come back here and say anything after its branded fake news.
Wish people could learn a bit more from things as there hardly any attempt to debate more just quick to judgement or ignore what's been said as it doesn't fit criteria in confirmation bias of thinking .
Embrassing really.
Bizarre use of English, baffling defence of Xia, constant streams of nonsense...
Anybody seen Dr Tony and Vill I An in the same room?
Apologies CL! Great minds...Narrowed it down to some Payless shoe manufacturers in China.
Anyway if we can check his location from his ip, we can split the reward.
Interesting how people jumped in with the warrant for arrest line and thought it was true yet don't have decency to hold hands up and admit they cast stones without knowing full story.
Xia speaks out and none of those people who criticize him from such news then don't come back here and say anything after its branded fake news.
Wish people could learn a bit more from things as there hardly any attempt to debate more just quick to judgement or ignore what's been said as it doesn't fit criteria in confirmation bias of thinking .
Embrassing really.
Interesting how people jumped in with the warrant for arrest line and thought it was true yet don't have decency to hold hands up and admit they cast stones without knowing full story.
Xia speaks out and none of those people who criticize him from such news then don't come back here and say anything after its branded fake news.
Wish people could learn a bit more from things as there hardly any attempt to debate more just quick to judgement or ignore what's been said as it doesn't fit criteria in confirmation bias of thinking .
Embrassing really.
Christ almighty, where do you start with this?
Babelfish?
Babelfish?
Anyone got a spare?
Babelfish?
Anyone got a spare?
Is it on the red button?
Babelfish?
Anyone got a spare?
Who knew he was a Classroom Assistant?
CAIXIN
Ex-England soccer club chief spends months in China detention centers
Lerner was totally convinced he was the real deal.
Which should have been warning enough.
Lerner was totally convinced he was the real deal.
Which should have been warning enough.
Was Lerner convinced? Maybe once he had a get out and knew he could walk away with his cut he didn't care. He didn't care much in the last couple of years of owning us so why would he care about who he sold us to.
Lerner was totally convinced he was the real deal.
Which should have been warning enough.
Was Lerner convinced? Maybe once he had a get out and knew he could walk away with his cut he didn't care. He didn't care much in the last couple of years of owning us so why would he care about who he sold us to.
We wanted him to sell for long enough; it's a bit much to expect him to bother about who he sold to.
Certainly a chancer, but had we gone up it might well have worked out. Can't help liking the bloke and hope he gets out in one piece.
Certainly a chancer, but had we gone up it might well have worked out. Can't help liking the bloke and hope he gets out in one piece.
A con man who took the Villa within hours of administration. What would he have to do for you not to like him?
Certainly a chancer, but had we gone up it might well have worked out. Can't help liking the bloke and hope he gets out in one piece.
A con man who took the Villa within hours of administration. What would he have to do for you not to like him?
Lerner was totally convinced he was the real deal.
Which should have been warning enough.
Well according to Randolph's statement on leaving in 2016, he held off on other deals because they weren't the right custodians to continue his legacy.
Xia's grandiose plans - which envisioned revitalising the club as of part turning Aston and Lozells into Mar-a-Lago or summat - made him the preferred bidder.
Lozells twinned with Mar A Lago, can you imagine?!
Lerner's biggest achievement (if you can call it that) was finding an even bigger useless twat than himself to sell to. I wouldn't have thought it possible but he pulled it off.
Was Randy's planned sale to Xia anything to do with Bernstein and King walking out?
Lerner's biggest achievement (if you can call it that) was finding an even bigger useless twat than himself to sell to. I wouldn't have thought it possible but he pulled it off.
Was Randy's planned sale to Xia anything to do with Bernstein and King walking out?
Wasn't the whole point of bringing in Steve Hollis to find a credible buyer. Doubt Lerner was involved that much in the sale process except being told he'd get the money he was asking in.
Hollis is still around Birmingham business world I think so surprised he hasn't done an interview in last year explaining his role unless he just wants to airbrush himself out of our history given he was only here a brief time and seems to have done the trick.
Thanks for that podcast link. Very interesting. Biggest thing, which I didn't realise (or forgot), is that Nigel Pearson was being lined-up as our next manager if Randy had failed to sell. Pearson even flew out to America to meet him and hold talks.
Hollis also highlighted the "civic values" held by Lerner and "shown" by Xia re his regeneration plans for the area around Villa Park which apparently helped pave the way for the sale to Xia. The lack of a salary cap put off the American investors accustomed to NFL rules but I wonder of the remaining interested parties, all Chinese according to Hollis (there was no interest from "high net-worth British individuals"), how wary/or not were Hollis/Lerner about who they sold to? Hollis seems fairly sure in his convictions - Xia passed the fit and proper owners test and once that was cleared, it wasn't Hollis or Randy's problem anymore.
The ageing board of the 1960s were outdated, misguided, which over a number of years culminated in nearly sending us under.
Ellis spent decades on and off missing the big boat, interfering too much with a corner shop mentality instead of rolling the dice more.
The Bendalls were hands off, put the money in and we got some fantastic success. You can debate the financial state we were in when they went.
Ellis at least when he left seemed to have put us into good hands with Lerner coming in.
Lerner failed but we had some half decent times for a while until he was shown to have lost the plot.
Xia put all the chips on red and it came up black. He managed in a very short time to do what the old directors of the 1960s took many years to do.
Without doubt he was the very worst to run the show.
Its one of those situations where the I.M. Introductory Memorandum had been pushed around for so long, the "deal" hung around like a bad smell.Thanks for that podcast link. Very interesting. Biggest thing, which I didn't realise (or forgot), is that Nigel Pearson was being lined-up as our next manager if Randy had failed to sell. Pearson even flew out to America to meet him and hold talks.
Hollis also highlighted the "civic values" held by Lerner and "shown" by Xia re his regeneration plans for the area around Villa Park which apparently helped pave the way for the sale to Xia. The lack of a salary cap put off the American investors accustomed to NFL rules but I wonder of the remaining interested parties, all Chinese according to Hollis (there was no interest from "high net-worth British individuals"), how wary/or not were Hollis/Lerner about who they sold to? Hollis seems fairly sure in his convictions - Xia passed the fit and proper owners test and once that was cleared, it wasn't Hollis or Randy's problem anymore.
The lad I mentioned above said that it was only Chinese investors interested apparently, including another, different bloke called Xia.
Apologies if already mentioned elsewhere, but there’s a programme on Al Jazeera tonight at 9pm “The men who sell football”.
I’m hearing Xia is in it and doesn’t come out well. We shall see!
Channel 513 on SKY.
Apologies if already mentioned elsewhere, but there’s a programme on Al Jazeera tonight at 9pm “The men who sell football”.
I’m hearing Xia is in it and doesn’t come out well. We shall see!
Apologies if already mentioned elsewhere, but there’s a programme on Al Jazeera tonight at 9pm “The men who sell football”.
I’m hearing Xia is in it and doesn’t come out well. We shall see!
Will it also cover the purchase of PSG?
This is pretty grim viewing so far. None of it is a surprise, but it's shocking to see how easy it all is. The rich in this country can simply be a mafia if they choose to, and the law doesn't care.
The preview said that Xia is in jail - is that true?
The preview said that Xia is in jail - is that true?
Apologies if already mentioned elsewhere, but there’s a programme on Al Jazeera tonight at 9pm “The men who sell football”.Thanks for the heads up on this. Got it recorded on Sky and sounds like essential viewing.
I’m hearing Xia is in it and doesn’t come out well. We shall see!
Channel 513 on SKY.
what about the fucker who sourced this deal with Uncle Tony and got paid for it ??? christ on a bike
Randy Lerner was an absolute sack of crap to even put the club at risk like that. Sad excuse for a man.
The “fit and proper” test is a complete sham, and there needs to be more accountability at the higher levels for letting these things occur.
F Tony.
Can someone posts the keys facts on here?Going off the podcast version:
I've always been in the blame Lerner camp. End of the day you have to be desperate enough to entertain these sort of people to sell to them and he was absolutely clueless about running a football club and not realising for most owners its a money pit. He acted like he was doing a football version of Brewster's millions basically handing out unbelievable contracts to all sort of bobbins and by the time he got rid of us he'd probably have sold to me if i'd turned up with a postal order. Bottom line is he's proof that even billionaires have fuckwits for children
Here's a link chaps:
Click (https://youtu.be/ldgTCXpDEgk)
Here's a link chaps:
Click (https://youtu.be/ldgTCXpDEgk)
Bloody hell, that's a thorough piece of work from Al Jazeera. I imagine Mr Samuelson has had some explaining to do to clients, and a lot of them will be the sort of people who are very unhappy at being named in stuff like that.
I wonder who the real owners of Villa were? We’ll never know
Should add the irony of AJ running this, when they're the propaganda organ for Qatar and all the MB nonsense they spread in the Middle East and of course, their own corrupt involvement in football.
Nonetheless, eye opening.
It seems that Cypriot passports are the way to go for corrupt businessmen these days.
Should add the irony of AJ running this, when they're the propaganda organ for Qatar and all the MB nonsense they spread in the Middle East and of course, their own corrupt involvement in football.
Nonetheless, eye opening.
Never had a problem with Al Jazeera and never noticed any bias in their reporting, quite the opposite in fact. Their documentaries are generally superb. That dodgy real estate couple in Cyprus have appeared in another documentary sting where the government minister friend was not only named but filmed selling dodgy passports to Russian mobsters etc..
Should add the irony of AJ running this, when they're the propaganda organ for Qatar and all the MB nonsense they spread in the Middle East and of course, their own corrupt involvement in football.
Nonetheless, eye opening.
Never had a problem with Al Jazeera and never noticed any bias in their reporting, quite the opposite in fact. Their documentaries are generally superb. That dodgy real estate couple in Cyprus have appeared in another documentary sting where the government minister friend was not only named but filmed selling dodgy passports to Russian mobsters etc..
It's the propaganda arm of the Qataris. It's the same as RT, but it's focus is more on stirring the pot in its own backyard as they scrap it out with the Hause of Saud for pre-eminence.
It seems that Cypriot passports are the way to go for corrupt businessmen these days.
Yep, I mentioned them in the Brexit thread. There and Malta. Few hundred grand, job done.
The alarm bells were ringing when he turned up to Bodymoor in an Uber - and in those shoes too.
If I recall correctly he had to prove he had the cash to fund the operating costs for two seasons. He did that but widely rumoured to be purely based on the parachute money.
Just watched the documentary. Fascinating stuffwhich documentary?
got a link please?Just watched the documentary. Fascinating stuffwhich documentary?
See page 161 of this thread.got a link please?Just watched the documentary. Fascinating stuffwhich documentary?
Yes Rory, the Poundstretcher shoes and the cardboard belt should have alerted us.
The trouble is, and as the documentary showed, with overseas cash it's incredibly easy to disguise its source, and therefore also very difficult for authorities to do proper due diligence. I deal a lot with offshore structures, and until there's a global standard for company and ultimate beneficial owner information, stuff like this will always happen, and not just with football, obviously.
The trouble is, and as the documentary showed, with overseas cash it's incredibly easy to disguise its source, and therefore also very difficult for authorities to do proper due diligence. I deal a lot with offshore structures, and until there's a global standard for company and ultimate beneficial owner information, stuff like this will always happen, and not just with football, obviously.
I'm probably being naive here but I don't understand why onshore states that like to collect taxes allow these offshore operations to continue. Is it just that the people in charge also want to hide their money there?
The trouble is, and as the documentary showed, with overseas cash it's incredibly easy to disguise its source, and therefore also very difficult for authorities to do proper due diligence. I deal a lot with offshore structures, and until there's a global standard for company and ultimate beneficial owner information, stuff like this will always happen, and not just with football, obviously.
I'm probably being naive here but I don't understand why onshore states that like to collect taxes allow these offshore operations to continue. Is it just that the people in charge also want to hide their money there?
Well, there's a move now for a minimum global company tax rate of at least 10%. The theory at the moment is though, that a country is free to set its own tax rate. So the UK is lower than France, Ireland and Malta are lower than the UK and so on. Usually it's a balance between attracting companies to operate in your country, and actually needing to raise money through taxation. Offshore places like the IOM, Gibraltar, Jersey and BVI etc don't really have anything else much they can offer, so they set out to attract companies there with a 0% rate. The IOM's biggest industry is online gaming, and although they don't get any company tax, the thousands of people employed all pay income tax and buy houses etc. There are also a lot of funds and pesnions based in such places, as you don't really want people's pensions being whittled away by tax.
There's also the fact that a lot of places offshore are a lot less transparent in terms of information, as to who shareholders are, and having to publicly lodge accounts. As I say though, there's a huge amount of pressure to move away from both the low tax and secrecy aspects. Ireland in particular, isn't keen on the low tax thing being abolished.
The trouble is, and as the documentary showed, with overseas cash it's incredibly easy to disguise its source, and therefore also very difficult for authorities to do proper due diligence. I deal a lot with offshore structures, and until there's a global standard for company and ultimate beneficial owner information, stuff like this will always happen, and not just with football, obviously.
I'm probably being naive here but I don't understand why onshore states that like to collect taxes allow these offshore operations to continue. Is it just that the people in charge also want to hide their money there?
Well, there's a move now for a minimum global company tax rate of at least 10%. The theory at the moment is though, that a country is free to set its own tax rate. So the UK is lower than France, Ireland and Malta are lower than the UK and so on. Usually it's a balance between attracting companies to operate in your country, and actually needing to raise money through taxation. Offshore places like the IOM, Gibraltar, Jersey and BVI etc don't really have anything else much they can offer, so they set out to attract companies there with a 0% rate. The IOM's biggest industry is online gaming, and although they don't get any company tax, the thousands of people employed all pay income tax and buy houses etc. There are also a lot of funds and pesnions based in such places, as you don't really want people's pensions being whittled away by tax.
There's also the fact that a lot of places offshore are a lot less transparent in terms of information, as to who shareholders are, and having to publicly lodge accounts. As I say though, there's a huge amount of pressure to move away from both the low tax and secrecy aspects. Ireland in particular, isn't keen on the low tax thing being abolished.
Thanks for the info. I get the corporation tax thing, it's the secrecy bit that baffles me.
Tony Xia is one of the great Villa stories. It is only a matter of time before somebody points out that you have never seen him and the African Car Reverser in the same photograph.
The trouble is, and as the documentary showed, with overseas cash it's incredibly easy to disguise its source, and therefore also very difficult for authorities to do proper due diligence. I deal a lot with offshore structures, and until there's a global standard for company and ultimate beneficial owner information, stuff like this will always happen, and not just with football, obviously.
I'm probably being naive here but I don't understand why onshore states that like to collect taxes allow these offshore operations to continue. Is it just that the people in charge also want to hide their money there?
Well, there's a move now for a minimum global company tax rate of at least 10%. The theory at the moment is though, that a country is free to set its own tax rate. So the UK is lower than France, Ireland and Malta are lower than the UK and so on. Usually it's a balance between attracting companies to operate in your country, and actually needing to raise money through taxation. Offshore places like the IOM, Gibraltar, Jersey and BVI etc don't really have anything else much they can offer, so they set out to attract companies there with a 0% rate. The IOM's biggest industry is online gaming, and although they don't get any company tax, the thousands of people employed all pay income tax and buy houses etc. There are also a lot of funds and pesnions based in such places, as you don't really want people's pensions being whittled away by tax.
There's also the fact that a lot of places offshore are a lot less transparent in terms of information, as to who shareholders are, and having to publicly lodge accounts. As I say though, there's a huge amount of pressure to move away from both the low tax and secrecy aspects. Ireland in particular, isn't keen on the low tax thing being abolished.
Page 161? - I'm only on p.49!See page 161 of this thread.got a link please?Just watched the documentary. Fascinating stuffwhich documentary?
Page 161? - I'm only on p.49!See page 161 of this thread.got a link please?Just watched the documentary. Fascinating stuffwhich documentary?
Can someone re-post the link - perleasssse?
Page 161? - I'm only on p.49!See page 161 of this thread.got a link please?Just watched the documentary. Fascinating stuffwhich documentary?
Can someone re-post the link - perleasssse?
This is a very long, but eye-opening piece on how the IOM deals with dodgy Asian betting companies to facilitate PL sponsorship (including ours).
http://josimarfootball.com/the-trillion-dollar-gambling-game/
Conor Hourihane in conversation: The Dr Tony era explained
So this seems to be the right thread.
Listening to the latest 1874 podcastQuoteConor Hourihane in conversation: The Dr Tony era explained
https://open.spotify.com/episode/3pbdbgz43LXyXtsa8cqGsq?si=2SCe2QOWSvyI-MjKIGJWBA
Is a fairly shocking tale of quite surreal attempted influence, credit taking, worrying access and general utter mess that explains an awful lot…
It’s probably a video & available lots of other places etc, but I felt merited a listen / mention here.
What a strange time.
We were so desperate to find a buyer in the arse-end of the Lerner years its no surprise we ended up with one of the first chancers to rock up.
For all the recent frustrations about the matchday experience and ticket prices, at least the current owners are serious people.....
He got paid a couple of million? He had expertise in some areas!What a strange time.
We were so desperate to find a buyer in the arse-end of the Lerner years its no surprise we ended up with one of the first chancers to rock up.
For all the recent frustrations about the matchday experience and ticket prices, at least the current owners are serious people.....
Didn’t we employ someone and pay them
a couple of million,who had expertise in buyouts only to find Uncle Tony 😳
I remember we had scouts in somewhere like Australia that no one had ever met or had a report from.
I remember we had scouts in somewhere like Australia that no one had ever met or had a report from.
Bit like me when i used to work for the BBC.
Nobody saw me, nobody spoke to me, nobody knew who I was. I got away with it for two years.
I remember we had scouts in somewhere like Australia that no one had ever met or had a report from.
Bit like me when i used to work for the BBC.
Nobody saw me, nobody spoke to me, nobody knew who I was. I got away with it for two years.
Good lad paulie. A no-show job. I’ve only got a no-work one. Things will be different when I get made.
We will be cutting it fine to get into the Champions League in Tony’s 5th year.
I remember we had scouts in somewhere like Australia that no one had ever met or had a report from.
Bit like me when i used to work for the BBC.
Nobody saw me, nobody spoke to me, nobody knew who I was. I got away with it for two years.
Good lad paulie. A no-show job. I’ve only got a no-work one. Things will be different when I get made.
"You should try sitting here 10.30 to 3."
Just watched it all again. I wonder if Chrissy ever told Vito about his long-lost identical twin brother in the bakery?
Jeannie Cusamano and her identical twin. Carmella went all gangster wife to get Meadow a place at her school (or maybe AJ).Just watched it all again. I wonder if Chrissy ever told Vito about his long-lost identical twin brother in the bakery?
Think there was another actor who played two characters. And Carmella’s next door neighbour and her sister were played by the same woman.
Barbara Soprano is played by different actors. The Fed who befriends Adriana was played by a different actor, when they recast her they re-filmed the scenes and banned repeats from showing the original.
She also played Dorothy Gale in the "Return to Oz" film that fucking terrified me when I was about four.
Might be worth sticking some of the above in spoilers. The second paragraph of the post before last, at least. Some people still haven't seen it and, of course, they absolutely should.Absolutely right, my apologies, being dense here, how do i move it?
Click the cog next to the post and select "Modify".
Insert "[Spoiler ]" before the bit you want to hide and "[/Spoiler ]" after the bit you want to hide but without the quotation marks or the spaces after "Spoiler". Make sure you include the square brackets, though.
Good effort. Chicken soup and a Sopranos box set will sort you out.On it, though getting drawn towards Gen V
Not just me then.
Have to love modern football don't you? whilst we fret and scrap around FFP watch as the Sky 4 or "Big 6" in the Prem spend hundreds of millions to move up a maximum of two places in the league.
No. Skint means you have no money to invest. Tony has bundles. We are just restricted by regulations which strangle competition, designed to protect a cartel of elite European clubs who became terrified that oiks like Man City could gatecrash their Misnomer Money Making League.
It's the anthisis of articles 101 and 102.
No. Skint means you have no money to invest. Tony has bundles. We are just restricted by regulations which strangle competition, designed to protect a cartel of elite European clubs who became terrified that oiks like Man City could gatecrash their Misnomer Money Making League.
It's the anthisis of articles 101 and 102.
And he’s still trying to get his money out of china.
No. Skint means you have no money to invest. Tony has bundles. We are just restricted by regulations which strangle competition, designed to protect a cartel of elite European clubs who became terrified that oiks like Man City could gatecrash their Misnomer Money Making League.
It's the anthisis of articles 101 and 102.
And he’s still trying to get his money out of china.
He’ll probably need to get out of prison first.
No. Skint means you have no money to invest. Tony has bundles. We are just restricted by regulations which strangle competition, designed to protect a cartel of elite European clubs who became terrified that oiks like Man City could gatecrash their Misnomer Money Making League.
It's the anthisis of articles 101 and 102.
And he’s still trying to get his money out of china.
He’ll probably need to get out of prison first.
He's on the run isn't he? Completely forgot he existed until this thread cropped up.
It would be something to watch before the new series of MAFSA comes on, that I absolutely do not watch at all, unless the good lady has it on...
I don't think I ever even saw the shoes in question.
I don't think I ever even saw the shoes in question.
There’s nothing wrong with Skechers Slipins, but there again I’ve just had my second hip replaced!😁I don't think I ever even saw the shoes in question.
Neither did I, but I heard he wore Skechers Slip-ins.
I think Joe C used to say that the thread title used to remind him of "Tony's Theme" by Pixies. I now feel similar, I didn't at the time.
No. Skint means you have no money to invest. Tony has bundles. We are just restricted by regulations which strangle competition, designed to protect a cartel of elite European clubs who became terrified that oiks like Man City could gatecrash their Misnomer Money Making League.
It's the anthisis of articles 101 and 102.
And he’s still trying to get his money out of china.
He’ll probably need to get out of prison first.
He's on the run isn't he? Completely forgot he existed until this thread cropped up.
On the run from the Chinese feds in a series of Uber journies across Asia.
Like that telly program, Race Across The World, except with a massive PowerPoint stroking twat.
So this seems to be the right thread.
Listening to the latest 1874 podcastQuoteConor Hourihane in conversation: The Dr Tony era explained
https://open.spotify.com/episode/3pbdbgz43LXyXtsa8cqGsq?si=2SCe2QOWSvyI-MjKIGJWBA
Is a fairly shocking tale of quite surreal attempted influence, credit taking, worrying access and general utter mess that explains an awful lot…
It’s probably a video & available lots of other places etc, but I felt merited a listen / mention here.
I think Joe C used to say that the thread title used to remind him of "Tony's Theme" by Pixies. I now feel similar, I didn't at the time.
Joe C posts on here? Wow! Why didn’t somebody tell me?
https://gangsterreport.com/bonanno-mob-in-nyc-playing-game-of-hide-seek-cammarano-bros-go-underground-while-mikey-nose-stalks-seeking-revenge/
I think Joe C used to say that the thread title used to remind him of "Tony's Theme" by Pixies. I now feel similar, I didn't at the time.
Joe C posts on here? Wow! Why didn’t somebody tell me?
https://gangsterreport.com/bonanno-mob-in-nyc-playing-game-of-hide-seek-cammarano-bros-go-underground-while-mikey-nose-stalks-seeking-revenge/
Joe C is currently in Chicago. Make of that what you will... I'm saying nuthin'