Xia has come under fire from some supporters in recent weeks, but Aston Villa appear to be in much safer hands these days.
If a horrible run of results has led to some fans questioning the nous of owner Tony Xia, consider this; less than a year ago, with relegation all but confirmed, Aston Villa fans were united in protest against American tycoon Randy Lerner, the Birmingham Mail reported.
With the club’s future up in the air, the long-serving owner was increasingly conspicuous by his absence at Villa Park, the fans’ frustrations underlined by a complete lack of clarity about his purported plans to sell up.
Xia, meanwhile, is a different beast entirely. Open and willing to communicate with the supporters on Twitter, whether to rally the troops or offer some explanation for failures, the Chinese businessman’s hands on approach is a refreshing chance.
He, unlike Lerner, clearly cares for his club. And CEO Keith Wyness confirmed as much in quotes reported by the Birmingham Mail.
“Tony is in love with the club. He really cares,” Wyness said. “He’s been a fantastic owner and cares constructively about the club.
“He isn’t just barking orders from Beijing. We are in this for the long haul to get back to where we deserve to be.”
Therefore, if a frustrated fanbase ever feels the need to question Xia’s underperforming signings or his perhaps over-ambitious statements (his aim is to lift the Champions League within ten years, for example), at least they can take some solace in knowing that the new man at the helm will do everything in his power to turn Aston Villa around.
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