Lerner edges ahead in Villa takeover race
American billionaire Randy Lerner’s financial clout seems likely to give him the edge over Birmingham businessman Michael Neville in the race to buy Aston Villa.
Neville – a lifelong Villa fan – is leading a consortium which he believes can “make Aston Villa great again”.
But he faces stiff competition from Lerner, owner of NFL franchise the Cleveland Browns.
Lerner’s personal fortune of $1.4bn (€1.1bn) means he should have no problems meeting the asking price of £57m (€83m) set by Villa chairman and leading shareholder Doug Ellis, who indicated nine months ago he was willing to sell after 24 years in control.
Ellis has already held initial discussions with the American, whose representatives have visited Villa Park and the club’s training ground.
Neville is reliant on backing from investors but remains confident he can meet Ellis’ financial demands.
And the fact he is a life-long Villa fan may mean supporters and shareholders will look more favourably on his bid.
Neville said: “We are working hard to get this bid done and our interest is definitely Aston Villa Football Club. Our focus is on building a football club and making Aston Villa great again with the supporters’ help.
“I believe I have backers. This is an exciting prospect, the result of a year’s work for me.
“We are still progressing with the bid and one way or another, for the good of everyone, it has to happen in the next few days.”
The next step is for a formal bid to be made for Villa via the Stock Exchange and only then will it become clear who Ellis would favour selling to – should he definitely decide to quit.
Neville, meanwhile, has again reiterated his desire to see Martin O’Neill appointed as David O’Leary’s successor following the end of his three-year reign.
He said: “I’d love Martin O’Neill to be the next Villa manager. He is one of the best and any club would love to have him on bord.”
Midfielder Muzzy Izzet, who played under O’Neill during his successful spell at Leicester, said: “If Villa can get Martin O’Neill, they will have got a manager who has won so much and achieved so much – and that is what they want.
“If anyone can do it, and restore Villa to where they want to be, then it is Martin O’Neill. That is guaranteed. Within a couple of years he will have achieved something.
“He got every last drop out of Leicester City and he would do the same at Villa. Villa used to be a top-six side every season.
“Villa have got a great history now need someone to bring those good times back and take them on to the next level. Martin O’Neill can bring those days back.”
