Aston Villa: Randy Lerner's spending record at Villa defended as fans told 'he still loves the club'

Dec 22 2010 by Mathew Kendrick, Birmingham Mail

RANDY Lerner’s commitment to the claret and blue cause has been reaffirmed with Paul Faulkner declaring: “He’s as dedicated to Villa as he’s ever been”.

Some of the criticism for Villa’s stuttering season has come the chairman and the board’s way as Gerard Houllier’s strives to stamp his mark on the club.

But Lerner’s right-hand man, Faulkner, insists the claret and blue power-brokers retain an ambition to restore Villa to the top of English and European football.

The chief executive admits the owner’s dream to return the club to its former glories burns as brightly now as it did when he bought out Doug Ellis in the summer of 2006.

Villa have not paid out a transfer fee during 2010 after a quiet January transfer window and the solitary arrival of Stephen Ireland as part of the James Milner deal in August.

But Faulkner maintains the lack of activity was due primarily to concerns about controlling the spiralling wage bill rather than any lack of interest from Lerner.

Villa are closer to the lower reaches of the Premier League than the top brass would have hoped after spending most of their tenure in the higher echelons.

But Lerner and Faulkner have had to contend with Martin O’Neill leaving the club in the lurch with his shock resignation five days before the season kicked off.

And any flak directed their way has been restricted to internet message-boards with match-going Villa fans continuing to show their support for the regime at Villa Park.

“He’s as dedicated as he’s ever been, absolutely,” said Faulkner.

“When he bought the club it was always a plan where you knew you were going to have to pay the price to buy it, then spend on players initially and over a number of years.