Potential owners move a step closer to taking over Villa
The potential takeover of Aston Villa by a group of Chinese investors has moved a step closer, the Birmingham Mail reports.
It reports that the next step for the group of investors will be to undergo the ‘fit and proper person’s test’, which is required to be undertaken by any potential owners of football clubs in the Premier League and Football League to ensure that a person or group possess sufficient funding and has not been disqualified from a running a business in the past.
If they pass the test, they hope to have an agreement in place with current owner Randy Lerner by the end of the month.
Lerner, who was been looking formally to sell the club since the May 2014, has struggled to find a buyer due to his rumoured high asking price and Villa’s financial woes under his ownership.
However, despite relegation to the Championship, it seems that Lerner has finally found a buyer, with former Everton CEO Kieth Wyness reported to be advising the group on their takeover.
Wyness, who was CEO of Everton from 2004 until 2009, is understood to have been guaranteed a senior role at the club if the takeover is successful, potentially replacing Tom Fox as CEO, after he left his position in March.
It finally seems like there may be a bright future ahead for Villa after all.