Lerner reportedly pumped $300 million into the club but took a back seat in recent seasons as the club finished 16th, 15th, 15th and 17th in the Premier League before this season reached a new low as they finished rock bottom.
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The Chinese businessman this week agreed to buy the claret and blues Villa from Amercian Randy Lerner, who had been looking to sell since 2014.
“Dr Xia’s immediate objective is to return Aston Villa to the Premier League and then to have the club finish in the top six, bringing European football back to Villa Park”, the statement said.
Talking about the new manager of the team, Xia said that they will decide among 6 candidates including former Leicester City manager Nigel Pearson and former Chelsea manager Roberto Di Matteo.
Xia knows getting the managerial appointment right is essential if Villa are to fulfil his ambition of winning promotion from the Championship next term and eventually becoming one of the world’s major clubs.
“He plans to make Aston Villa the most famous football club in China with a huge fan base”.
Di Matteo began his managerial career with West Bromwich Albion before moving to Chelsea where he led the side to a Champions League title, before being replaced the following season, he followed that with a short spell in the Bundesliga with Schalke but was relieved of his duties 12 months ago.
Xia is the Chairman/CEO and owner of Recon Group.
Recon has assets of more than 100 billion yuan (S$21 billion), according to its website.
In the statement, Villa said Xia developed his love of the game after playing as a striker whilst at college – and that he had become a fan of Villa “many years ago”.
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“As we visited together, and had some unrushed time to discuss his plans, Tony’s excitement to develop Villa Park shone through”, he added.
