Villa owner Lerner releases head-scratching statement

Aston Villa owner Randy Lerner released a mind-boggling statement that simply serves to pose more questions than it answers.

With recent reports that Lerner is readying the club for a sale this summer, the American addressed it…barely.

offered excuses for their poor recent form and brushed questions of his financial situation aside.

By saying he will address rumors of a sale after the season, Lerner serves only to increase speculation that he will indeed look for a buyer after the conclusion of this season.

Here is the statement, via the Aston Villa official website:

“Following the point yesterday at Villa Park, there have been stories about my selling the Club. On a personal level, I had hoped the emphasis would have been on the amazing effort on the part of our manager and our players to regroup throughout a very difficult week. Injuries to Libor [Kozak] and Christian [Benteke], compounded with the early loss of Jores [Okore] and the difficult rehab of Charles have no doubt left Paul [Lambert] with far less to work with than is fair. Still, Paul Lambert has done nothing but work within the parameters I’ve set, put the Club first and continue to trust his players. As regards my personal role at the Club and the steady rumors of a sale, I will address these after the season. Paul Lambert, Paul Faulkner and I speak daily and remain committed to the immediate job of limiting distraction and confusion in order that Villa have the best chance possible of finishing on a strong note.”

It’s baffling why he even released this statement at all, since it serves to answer no questions about the sale of the club except that he will address it at the end of the season, and that he backs Paul Lambert.

Even more so, it comes across as whiny, pointing to injuries as an excuse for the fact Villa haven’t won since their upset over Chelsea over a month ago, a result which they followed up with four consecutive losses.

The Daily Mail reported today that Lerner is hoping to get around $420 million for the club, which could be more than prospective buyers would want to pay.