Aston Villa have already benefitted by Randy Lerner’s millions since he took over the club in 2006. These days Villa are playing for a UEFA Cup spot but if their manager Martin O’Neill is to be believed, then the former European Cup winner could easily be competing for a top four finish from next season onwards.
The Ulsterman says that billionaire Lerner is planning a massive investment in the summer in order to strengthen the squad to raise its class to compete for a UEFA Champions League spot next season. O’Neill says:
He has big plans and I realise that if I do well I can realise those ambitions here. Some may call his interest quaint but he wants to bring Villa right up.
He’s here for the long haul and he’s enthusiastic now and he was when he came here.
We’re improving at a rate of knots and he recognises that, I haven’t put any reckless demands on him because I don’t want to put the club in financial difficulty and I think he appreciates that.
But he’s hoping to be here on a more permanent basis in the not too distant future.
This is not a play thing to him – he’s as enthusiastic as the day he took over.
If this football club can afford it, I will happily spend money. I would have no qualms about it.
So would we see Villa become a major force in the Premiership in the next couple of years? Let’s wait and watch.