New consortium targets Villa
Doug Ellis, Villa chairman
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Saturday, 29, Jul 2006 09:37
A new British-based consortium has said they have expressed interest in buying Aston Villa.
The AV06 consortium is being led by deputy high court judge Nicholas Padfield QC and is the fifth party to have entered the running to buy current chairman Doug Ellis' share of the Midlands club.
The consortium has said it wants to provide investment for the new manager to buy new players and give the fans a say in the running of the club.
"Our money is as good as anyone's and is already in place and we will make money available for players and look after the well-being of the club," an unnamed source told the Press Association news agency.
"We will get the right people in to run the business, and that will mean a professional board who will liaise with the fans."
AV06 will be competing with Michael Neville's consortium, American businessman and owner of the Cleveland Browns NFL team Randy Lerner, a Dubai-based group of Arab businessmen and a consortium led by Athole Still, the agent of one Sven-Goran Eriksson.
While the AV06 have yet to reveal any details of their bid, Padfield told the Guardian newspaper they have made a preliminary enquiry and will be looking to meet with the current Villa board as soon as possible.