Randy Lerner "State of Aston Villa" Statement

[Shrek]

Is it true his wealth has gone from 2.5billion down to 400million, with all the American shares etc?

I'd tighten my belt abit if that was the case.

[pauliewalnuts]

Is it true his wealth has gone from 2.5billion down to 400million, with all the American shares etc?

I'd tighten my belt abit if that was the case.

Don't forget, he also owns the Cleveland Browns, which is valued at over a billion dollars.

Don't get me wrong, if we're tightening our belts and becoming self sustaining then that's fair enough, even though it is the end of any ambition for the foreseeable future.

What concerns me more is the amateurishness of attempting to reach out to a disgruntled, nervy fanbase with a letter which actually says everything they don't want to hear. It makes it sound like we're supporters of a hedge fund or something.

Really strange.

[bertlambshank]

What a waste of a stamp.

[Fuse]

It is no different to the ambitions under Doug.

I am sorry but Randy needs to focus on finding us a new owner with the requisite funds to make us competitive

[Eigentor]

Seems as if it just as well could have said: "The chance of qualifying for Champions League is gone. No we don't know what to do. So we'll try to bubble along while we spend as little as possible. We'd like to raise revenues, but unfortunately we're clueless."

[woody4866]

Although Randy has been good for Villa, I think his time is up if all he wants is to see us bump along in mid table because of limited funds
I would like to think there are lots of wealthy Arabs, Ruskies and (dare I say it) Chinese who seem to want a piece of premier footy and Villa must be attractive

[Toronto Villa]

I watched McLeish's pre-match press conference earlier. I have to admit, for the first time I felt a little down afterwards. I always thought that the no money to spend thing was just something being said so we didn't get screwed in the market, and that if McLeish was to target a player he'd still get him. Just as the board had done on countless other occasions with MON and GH. For the first time, today, I felt that wasn't going to happen this window. Mcleish went on about trading players. We don't have much more left to give up in order that we bring in a player or two that will push us on. I do agree with him that we have to see what the likes of Warnock, Ireland and Delph have, but surely we have a few million quid sitting in the bank should the right player or two become available?

Again, I will still hope that in the last 20 or so days, one or two players will arrive, that the current concerns I am beginning to feel are completely unjustified and that I was somewhat right all along. However, on the eve of the new season, it wasn't the most uplifting press conference.

[Eigentor]

So the alternatives are:
1. Become the plaything of some eccentric foreign multibillionaire (probably not a viable option for Villa anyway)
2. Float along in mid-table.
3. Embark on some vague but cunning slow-growth strategy that might or might not yield success in 20 years.

Villa are actually choosing (2) but trying to portray it as (3).

[Clampy]

For me, it's not so much the lack of re-investment, i'm happy for us to bring in loan players if we have to go down that route, but with 8 players off the wage bill and only 2 added to it, it's a worry that we need to get even more out the door before we bring in anyone else.

[GJH]

I agree with toronto villa, Mcleish was virtually sowing the seeds of excuses - no money to spend, senior players have left etc etc How depressing is that!!

No money even for loan signings!

Please be patient Villa Fans! Season hasn't even started yet! This could be a long old hard season no 2 ways about it!

[Chris Smith]

For me, it's not so much the lack of re-investment, i'm happy for us to bring in loan players if we have to go down that route, but with 8 players off the wage bill and only 2 added to it, it's a worry that we need to get even more out the door before we bring in anyone else.

That just says that the wage bill is about where they want it for now. if they buy players without selling then it goes back up, so to keep it on an even keel it's one in, one out.

They've said in the letter that they want to increase revenue in order to fund wages, if they do that then, in theory, they can improve the squad.

[dave.woodhall]

It is no different to the ambitions under Doug.

I am sorry but Randy needs to focus on finding us a new owner with the requisite funds to make us competitive

Thanks Randy. We thought you were great when you were spending loads, but now you aren't fuck off.

[Chris Smith]

So why bother with the letter at all?

We're not shareholders.

Assuming the letter was intending to steady nerves amongst the season ticket holders, did they really think that talking about financial performance and targets was going to do it when, actually, it does quite the opposite?

I took the letter as treating us like grown ups. Fans had been demanding some sort of statement so he's given an outline of what the club want to do to improve the finances in order to improve the team.

Dull and understated it might be but that's Lerner way isn't it?

[Clampy]

For me, it's not so much the lack of re-investment, i'm happy for us to bring in loan players if we have to go down that route, but with 8 players off the wage bill and only 2 added to it, it's a worry that we need to get even more out the door before we bring in anyone else.

That just says that the wage bill is about where they want it for now. if they buy players without selling then it goes back up, so to keep it on an even keel it's one in, one out.

I realise that and it makes sense of course, but it's frustrating when another body or two (depending who they are) could make a difference.

[GJH]

We have no money for players because we have spent 10m+ on Managers!!!

10m would get you one decent signing or a few loan signings.