6 Oct 2009Aston Villa owner 'not seeking fresh investment'

Football Clubs News | Football Finance News

Aston Villa have dismissed claims that owner Randy Lerner is seeking investors to plough fresh cash into the club.

Newspaper reports suggested that the American tycoon was in talks with businessmen from the far east after deciding that his football finance alone will not be enough to support the West Midlands side.

However, a spokesperson for Aston Villa said there was "no truth whatsoever" in the claims, which surfaced shortly before the club hosted Manchester City in Monday night's English Premier League clash.

Lerner took over at Villa Park in August 2006 after buying the club for £60 million.

The 47-year-old New Yorker also owns NFL side the Cleveland Browns and his personal fortune was estimated at $1.5 billion (£940 million) in 2008.

Aston Villa drew 1-1 with Manchester City on Monday, with Richard Dunne scoring an early goal against his former club before Craig Bellamy equalised for the visitors in the second half.

Written by Terry Mitchell

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