Takeover Rumour

[Simba]

Better (just) than being compared to Bolton, etc etc. Which we are.

[Mazrim]

By whom?

[dave.woodhall]

I'm personally a bit sick of being compared to Everton.

Burrif if yer know yer 'istory.

[Simba]

Hi Maz. Well outside of UK where I have lived for many years. That is where we are seen. And increasingly in the UK we are perceived as mid table fodder. We as supporters seem to think we are viewed as Liverpool, Spurs type Club. We are not. Not Newcastle, Everton. Even anymore.

Not to the outside World. You have to trust me on this. We are, like it or not Bolton.etc. Or if they are knowledgable enough Nottingham Forest.

This is not a new debate especially on here as we become frustrated over our real or possible perceptions. Goals or aspirations.

We are just not considered. That's why you see no Villa shirts here in Africa or the East. We are old.

To answer you question succinctly. By everyone. Ok Many.  Except us.

[Mazrim]

Hi Maz. Well outside of UK where I have lived for many years. That is where we are seen. And increasingly in the UK we are perceived as mid table fodder. We as supporters seem to think we are viewed as Liverpool, Spurs type Club. We are not. Not Newcastle, Everton. Even anymore.

Not to the outside World. You have to trust me on this. We are, like it or not Bolton.etc. Or if they are knowledgable enough Nottingham Forest.

This is not a new debate especially on here as we become frustrated over our real or possible perceptions. Goals or aspirations.

We are just not considered. That's why you see no Villa shirts here in Africa or the East. We are old.

To answer you question succinctly. By everyone. Ok Many.  Except us.

I do travel, a lot and that is not my experience. No we're not a powerhouse but we're not considered to be equal to Bolton either. Not in my experience anyway.

I only get tired of the Everton similarities because from a buyers point of view, we're a much better bet.
Plus, I dont like Everton.

[Lowendbehold]

This was posted on a Blackburn Rovers site by a guy they all seem to respect and consider legit. I think he may be a local journo or something.
Anyway:

"Ok i'll clear this up once and for all.

The Qatari's are talking to Villa, even their players know about it. The last I heard was that Lerner is contemplating selling but would rather wait until the end of the season before deciding. The Qatari's are willing to wait as they believe that they can get Villa. Once they have completed the Villa deal, they have promised me and a couple of other Journo's that they will talk on the record about what happened with Venky's."

Interesting.
MM on Villa Talk says there is no substance to the rumours but then again he guranateed everybody McLeish wouldn't be manager so... fuck knows.

Well we all wish and dream having the money of Qatar.  But if I did and I was going to buy a club in the PL it would be Villa.

That said there is something a bit odd about a Qutar businessman talking in such a way to a sports reporter from the Blackburn Herald or whatever.

[Clampy]

I'm personally a bit sick of being compared to Everton.

Burrif if yer know yer 'istory.

I hate that bloody song, it has an annoying habit of making me tap my feet along to it.

[TheEgo]

This was posted on a Blackburn Rovers site by a guy they all seem to respect and consider legit. I think he may be a local journo or something.
Anyway:

"Ok i'll clear this up once and for all.

The Qatari's are talking to Villa, even their players know about it. The last I heard was that Lerner is contemplating selling but would rather wait until the end of the season before deciding. The Qatari's are willing to wait as they believe that they can get Villa. Once they have completed the Villa deal, they have promised me and a couple of other Journo's that they will talk on the record about what happened with Venky's."

Interesting.
MM on Villa Talk says there is no substance to the rumours but then again he guranateed everybody McLeish wouldn't be manager so... fuck knows.

Well we all wish and dream having the money of Qatar.  But if I did and I was going to buy a club in the PL it would be Villa.

That said there is something a bit odd about a Qutar businessman talking in such a way to a sports reporter from the Blackburn Herald or whatever.

The link to Blackburn and the QIA is that they were rumoured to be in talks with the Venkys to buy them. Maybe that's why the Blackburn journo has had dealings etc? Could also be complete tosh!!

[PaulWinch again]

If they have decent intentions I hope it's true, but there's a lot of ifs and buts and I shalln't be getting too excited yet.

[Simba]

Hi Maz. Well outside of UK where I have lived for many years. That is where we are seen. And increasingly in the UK we are perceived as mid table fodder. We as supporters seem to think we are viewed as Liverpool, Spurs type Club. We are not. Not Newcastle, Everton. Even anymore.

Not to the outside World. You have to trust me on this. We are, like it or not Bolton.etc. Or if they are knowledgable enough Nottingham Forest.

This is not a new debate especially on here as we become frustrated over our real or possible perceptions. Goals or aspirations.

We are just not considered. That's why you see no Villa shirts here in Africa or the East. We are old.

To answer you question succinctly. By everyone. Ok Many.  Except us.

I do travel, a lot and that is not my experience. No we're not a powerhouse but we're not considered to be equal to Bolton either. Not in my experience anyway.

I only get tired of the Everton similarities because from a buyers point of view, we're a much better bet.
Plus, I dont like Everton.

Ok see your point. Yes we are a much better bet than Everton for a take over. We do have a special Club and perhaps our only weakness is being in Birmingham. Never understood that.  I accept that Liverpool, Manchester have a better perception BECAUSE of the success of their teams. But we are the 'second City' do have a fantastic if historical record and could have a great support base without any real competiton. European Cup is massive for us. Probably why Lerner used it as a marketing tool. Unlike Doug. But we know why. Fair comment.

Just tried to give an overseas perception.

[Mazrim]

Birmingham isnt a weakness. Only when compared to London and then really only from a glamour point of view.
Birmingham is a strength in fact as it is and will continue to increasingly be a hub of international business.

I disconnect myself (or try at least) and consider how attractive Villa is to buyers and there are so many pros. There is far more room for growth than Man City for instance.
The fanbase is far larger than many would credit, its just been difficult getting them to the ground regularly in large numbers. Even still a relatively decent prospect of progression and honours and we had 40k averages. That would increase if the football was genuinely star studded and exciting.

If I was a very wealthy organisation looking to buy it would be a simple choice.
Relatively cheap, lots of potential growth, growing local business hub, a potentially great marketing vehicle, the undisputed top dogs for 100 miles in every direction... and on and on...

Randy doesn't have to sell outright though, he could use these arguments to invite investment.

[itbrvilla]

Does he want to wait to the end of the season so it doen't effect us on the pitch?

Why would anyone with plenty of money seriously look at Blackburn compared to say Newcastle, Everton, Villa etc.?

Doesn't make sense to me.

[Mazrim]

Does he want to wait to the end of the season so it doen't effect us on the pitch?

Why would anyone with plenty of money seriously look at Blackburn compared to say Newcastle, Everton, Villa etc.?

Doesn't make sense to me.

It does seem odd, admittedly.

[Phil from the upper holte]

It did seem odd and I remember a few being worried Blackburn were going to try and ovetake us but there hasn't been much investment really

[mr woo]

It's from a BOLLOCKS site so I can't say where the Sky Sports reference comes from....


24 Feb 2012 21:58:54

"Aston Villa "subject to takeover bid"
Oil rich Qatar to invest in Premier League club

Aston Villa are to become the latest football club to fall into the hands of the oil rich nation of Qatar.

Sky Sports News understands, The Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) have held preliminary discussions with Aston Villa Chairman Randy Lerner with a view to a potential £150m buyout.

Lerner had previously stated that he would be unwilling to sell the football club, unless personal circumstances dictated, however it seems he has been tempted to sell.

It is not known when the takeover could take place but it it thought the QIA is awaiting for Villa to secure their Premier League status before going public with the deal.

A source who did not wish to be named said. "Randy never wanted to sell Villa, but the Qataris will be able to make Villa successful. He will however, only agree to the sale if assurances over the long term future of the club are given"

If the deal is completed, Aston Villa will join the mega–rich elite league of the Premiership. Currently, Manchester City's owner Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan has an estimated wealth of over £20bn but it is believed that the cash available to QIA surpasses this amount.

Neither Aston Villa or The Qatar Investment Authority were available to comment last night.
"