Aston Villa Exclusive: We talk to Randy Lerner

May 27 2009 by Mathew Kendrick, Birmingham Mail

“I will probably see Martin next week, and the next week, and the next week,” he said.

“We tend to spend time discussing a whole variety of issues.

“What ends up happening is, through the conversations, subjects come up or are revisited. You try to rely on the strength of the relationship. I don’t think of it as ‘the big sit down’.”

Lerner has been hailed as a shining example to other chairman in the way he has attempted to revolutionise Villa while remaining sympathetic to the club’s proud heritage. The respectful approach has endeared him to the Villa Park faithful who have quickly taken him to their hearts as a bona fide Holte End hero, albeit a reluctant one.

Asked how it felt to hear the claret and blue supporters chant his name during matches, the Cleveland Browns owner humbly replied: “I feel embarrassed.

“I don’t know why, I wish I did. I’m appreciative, it’s better than the alternative.

“I’m just not used to that, I don’t know if you should be used to that and I find it all confusing.”

Not as confusing it would seem as navigating around Aston Expressway and the road systems of Birmingham.

Despite his driving ambition, perhaps the right way for Lerner is to take a back-seat and simply enjoy the ride.