The Takeover Thread - Recon Group - NOW WITH NEW POLL

[Des Little]

So it begins...

[kippaxvilla2]

Er the list is above.  And where he is in it.

Yes, good joke the first time. No need to milk it.

Oh Perce, I like milking things.

[freethinker]

From the Guardian:

Tony Jiantong Xia is considering plans to rebrand Villa Park upon completion of his takeover of Aston Villa.

The Chinese businessman, 39, this week bought Villa from the American Randy Lerner, who had been looking to sell since 2014.

As part of the drive to try to get Villa promoted back to the Premier League as soon as possible, Xia is considering changing the name of Villa Park – the club’s home since 1897 – possibly to incorporate his health food business.

He told the Beijing Times: “One of the things we have thought about is using the Lotus Health name to rebrand Villa Park. Villa Park is a very historical stadium, so we will not simply and callously destroy a club’s history.

“We want to use Villa’s history and its substantial fan base around the world to also promote Lotus Health products and services globally. The ideal scenario would be for fans to enjoy Lotus Health products at Lotus Villa Park, it would be a great advert for both brands.”

Any such change to the name of Villa Park could run the risk of angering supporters. The newspaper also reported Xia will try to get fans on side by promising major investment in the transfer market.

Gulp.

[KevinGage]

Hollis has been at the club a matter of months.

I suppose he almost qualifies as a long serving club official based on the longevity of some of our recent appointments. But why is the opinion of a man who admitted on taking the job he has little interest in football much less Villa now venerated?

[kippaxvilla2]

PUBLISHED: May 20, 2016 2:00 pm   LAST UPDATED: May 20, 2016 2:39 pm
Confusion over new Villa's owner assets
The Chinese group set to buy Aston Villa has admitted to holding a controlling stake in just one listed company - and not five, as first claimed.

According to the Financial Times, the Recon Group have blamed a “miscommunication” for a statement which over-stated the number of companies they directly control.

A Villa press release, announcing the sale, had read: “Recon Group is a privately-owned holding company.

"It owns the controlling interest in five publicly listed companies on the Hong Kong and Chinese stock exchanges.”

But a report by the FT claims the group only has a controlling stake in Lotus Health.

A spokesman for Recon is reported to have said: “The acquisition deals for the remaining four companies are still being finalised and should come out soon.”

The wording of the club’s press release, which was published on its official website on Wednesday, has now been changed.

It reads: “Recon Group is a multi-national conglomerate group led by Dr Tony Jiantong Xia.

“The group holding company owns, directly and indirectly, the shares of several publicly listed companies on the Hong Kong and Chinese stock exchanges.

"It also owns many other private companies employing 35,000 people in 75 countries.”

According to the FT, the Recon Group’s spokesman also denied another claim.

It was made by Villa’s current chairman Steve Hollis on Thursday, insinuating Dr Xia had been involved in the building of Beijing’s Bird’s Nest Olympic Stadium.

Hollis had told a press briefing: “You need to ask him but he is responsible for the Bird’s Nest in Beijing and some of the other major iconic developments in China.”

The Recon spokesman said: “Xia was never involved in the planning or designing of the Bird’s Nest stadium. Xia’s expertise is in urban design.”

Xia’s deal to buy Villa is awaiting ratification by the Football League and Premier League, a process which is expected to take between two and three weeks.

[Monty]

I can't wait to enjoy my Lotus Health products.

[avfcpg]

If Mervyn King does an interview and says this is exciting news for Villa then that is good enough for me.

Me too...those closest to all this, King and Hollis have been positive and know far more from the inside than anyone else about the deal. There's goning to be far more to it all than we will ever know I suspect and whilst I can respect others being sceptical (we're Villa, nice things don't happen to us) I'm gonna remain positive rather than get myself worked up over the latest internet hysteria....and there will be more and more to come.
Then again I wasn't bothered that our U21's beat our full first team 3-0 and that the badge redesign cost £1 million..

[Ron Manager]

PUBLISHED: May 20, 2016 2:00 pm   LAST UPDATED: May 20, 2016 2:39 pm
Confusion over new Villa's owner assets
The Chinese group set to buy Aston Villa has admitted to holding a controlling stake in just one listed company - and not five, as first claimed.

According to the Financial Times, the Recon Group have blamed a “miscommunication” for a statement which over-stated the number of companies they directly control.

A Villa press release, announcing the sale, had read: “Recon Group is a privately-owned holding company.

"It owns the controlling interest in five publicly listed companies on the Hong Kong and Chinese stock exchanges.”

But a report by the FT claims the group only has a controlling stake in Lotus Health.

A spokesman for Recon is reported to have said: “The acquisition deals for the remaining four companies are still being finalised and should come out soon.”

The wording of the club’s press release, which was published on its official website on Wednesday, has now been changed.

It reads: “Recon Group is a multi-national conglomerate group led by Dr Tony Jiantong Xia.

“The group holding company owns, directly and indirectly, the shares of several publicly listed companies on the Hong Kong and Chinese stock exchanges.

"It also owns many other private companies employing 35,000 people in 75 countries.”

According to the FT, the Recon Group’s spokesman also denied another claim.

It was made by Villa’s current chairman Steve Hollis on Thursday, insinuating Dr Xia had been involved in the building of Beijing’s Bird’s Nest Olympic Stadium.

Hollis had told a press briefing: “You need to ask him but he is responsible for the Bird’s Nest in Beijing and some of the other major iconic developments in China.”

The Recon spokesman said: “Xia was never involved in the planning or designing of the Bird’s Nest stadium. Xia’s expertise is in urban design.”

Xia’s deal to buy Villa is awaiting ratification by the Football League and Premier League, a process which is expected to take between two and three weeks.

Hmmmmmm.

[four fornicholl]

I can't wait to enjoy my Lotus Health products.

In what number trap will you be enjoying them Monty?

[Chico Hamilton III]

I can't wait to enjoy my Lotus Health products.

They could sell them with the chips and curry sauce at half time

[kippaxvilla2]

Balti Pie and MSG please kind Sir.

[Monty]

I can't wait to enjoy my Lotus Health products.

In what number trap will you be enjoying them Monty?

Bit of a personal question FF. How I enjoy my Lotus Health products in the privacy of my own home is between my and my god.

[four fornicholl]

I can't wait to enjoy my Lotus Health products.

In what number trap will you be enjoying them Monty?

Bit of a personal question FF. How I enjoy my Lotus Health products in the privacy of my own home is between my and my god.

Being a traditionally commercial brand, I tend to use a triple fold.

[adrenachrome]

Balti Pie and MSG please kind Sir.

[Comrade Blitz]