Paul Lambert: Randy Lerner still loves Villa

Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert believes owner Randy Lerner still loves the club.

Despite announcing in May that he was putting Villa up for sale, American entrepreneur Lerner – who took over in 2006 – remains in control.

His compatriot Tom Fox was appointed as Villa's new chief executive earlier this week and it has been suggested Lerner may reconsider his decision to sell.

Asked about the owner's thinking and if Lerner was falling back in love with Villa, Lambert said: "He always has loved the football club.

"The situation is that the club is for sale and that is the same, but he has been great since the players came back for pre-season.

"He has always been great with me and, since we came back, the feelgood factor has been due a lot to him.

"The football club, for all that doom and gloom that was out there before a ball was kicked, is in a really good place at the moment."

Asked if appointing a new chief executive indicated long-term planning, Lambert said: "I'm not so sure.

"The football club still has to go on, anyway, regardless of what happens.

"It is a fabulous football club. It has to be run right, whoever is in charge."