Lerner stays vague on takeover talk

Jul 31 2006

AMERICAN billionaire Randy Lerner has admitted his ongoing interest in the possibility of buying Villa, but remains non-committal about whether he will launch a takeover bid.

Speaking before a practice session of his Cleveland Browns NFL team, Lerner said he had explored "opportunities" to become involved in a Premiership club.

"I've been open and interested to some extent," he said. "There are opportunities, but they are nothing more than opportunities.

"I think my concern is if I put myself in a position to speak clearly on it, I'm going to be misleading. I'm hesitant to do anything more than that."

Lerner had talks with Villa chairman Doug Ellis last week but appeared to pull out of the running.

Villa fans were today waiting to hear if there had been any further progress on takeover talks.

A consortium led by Michael Neville tabled a £64million bid last week and Deputy High Court judge Nicholas Padfield is due to have talks with Ellis.

* Is Randy Lerner still a genuine contender to take control of Villa? Tell us what you think at www.birminghammail.net/villa/yourshout