John Terry joins Aston Villa


Aston Villa have completed the signing of  Chelsea legend, John Terry on a one year free transfer.
The 36 year-old who quit Chelsea at the end of last season following two decades at the club claimed the idea of playing against Chelsea in the Premier League was partly behind his decision to join the club.
Speaking at his unveiling at Villa Park today, the player who has been handed the no 26 jersey at the club said, “The mental side of playing against Chelsea was too much to kind of get over for me. It was 22 years and I am very proud of that, I wish Chelsea well next season but now my thoughts are 100% here. I am delighted to be here as a player. It is obviously a huge club, I had a few conversations with Steve over the summer. I am very hungry to still play at the top with a club and a manager who still has the same ambition as me. I think the club speaks for itself, from being out there in the stadium in the past. They have got great support here, I think it is a club that deserves to be in the Premier League. Steve being Steve has persuaded me to come, and I am delighted because I still wanted to keep my playing, my hunger is still there at 36. The ambition for me to continue playing some people will understand and some people will not. I am in good physical condition. I am ready to play and give it everything this year. I am here, I am ready to fight for the Villa shirt and for this football club.”

Aston Villa manager stated that “He is worth every penny because we know what he brings, It is not often that you get a natural leader of men these days. I have watched him from afar for a long, long time and to get him here is a great coup for all of us.”
The former England international made his senior debut 19 years ago against Aston Villa in a League Cup third round tie on 28th October 1998.

Aston Villa fire Roberto Di Matteo

Former Chelsea coach, Roberto Di Matteo has been sacked by Aston Villa following a run of disappointing results. The Italian who was axed after 124 days in charge and after recording one win from 11 championship games will be replaced by assistant manager.
A statement from the club read, “Aston Villa Football Club has today parted company with manager Roberto Di Matteo. The club decided to act following a run of disappointing results which has left the team occupying 19th position in the Championship.
“The club would like to place on record its appreciate to Roberto for all his efforts in helping rebuild the squad and wish him well for the future.”

Aston Villa FC sold to Chinese company


A Chinese consortium has bought Aston Villa 2 years after owner, Randy Lerner put the club up for sale. The deal was finalised m on Wednesday night, with former Chelsea coach, Roberto Di Matteo heavily tipped to take over as manager.

A club statement read, “Aston Villa Football Club is pleased to announce that an agreement has been signed today for the sale of 100% ownership by Randy Lerner to Recon Group owned by Dr Tony Jiantong Xia,” . “Subject to the approval of the Premier League and the Football League.
“Once those approvals have been granted and the new board members approved under the fit & proper rules of both leagues, Dr Xia will become Chairman of Aston Villa. The Club will announce the appointment of a new manager shortly.
“Randy Lerner has sought the right new owner for Aston Villa who would take great care of the Club and restore its fortunes. He believes that Tony Xia is an excellent choice.
“Recon Group is Dr Xia’s privately owned holding company that owns the controlling interest in five publicly listed companies on the Hong Kong and Chinese stock exchanges and many other private companies employing 35,000 people in 75 countries.
“Dr Xia played football as a striker until he finished at college and football has remained his passion. Dr Xia decided to buy an iconic football Club in England as the cornerstone of his Sports, Leisure and Tourism Division. He became a fan of Aston Villa many years ago and is delighted at the opportunity to become the new owner.
“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. He plans to make Aston Villa the most famous football Club in China with a huge fan base.”

Jose Mourinho wants referee Chris Foy to stop handling Chelsea games

What can separate Jose Mourinho from the spotlight? Nothing so far. In the wake of Chelsea’s 1-0 loss to Aston Villa at Villa Park on Saturday and the dismissal of
Willian and Ramires for second bookable offences, the Portuguese coach has urged Premier League committee to stop assigning referee Chris Foy to Chelsea games. The aggrieved boss who was sent to the stands after confronting Foy shortly before the match ended deems it helpful if they don’t see him again.
“Maybe it is helpful that the committee doesn’t send him to our matches. I don’t have the right to request that. It’s just that I think they have to analyse the situation and see. Every time he has Chelsea – or not every time, but many times he has Chelsea and the problems are there. I think maybe it would be a good decision. Mistakes are part of the job for referees, even big mistakes which are crucial to the result.”
Meanwhile, FA will await Chris Foy’s report before deciding if to charge Jose Mourinho.
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