Steve Hollis: Villa fans should be excited

Chairman Steve Hollis believes Aston Villa supporters should be "excited" by prospective new owner Tony Xia's plans for the club.moreXia, the owner of the Recon Group, is in the process of completing a purchase of the claret and blues after agreeing to buy the Championship-bound club from Randy Lerner.

Hollis, who helped broker the deal and is set to leave Villa Park when the takeover is complete, revealed Xia had been chosen from among six potential buyers.

He explained: "That came down to four and then two in the last couple of weeks. Of those two, Tony Xia was the preferred candidate."

Xia has stated an aim of taking Villa, relegated from the Premier League this season, back into English football's top six.

Hollis said: "The reason we went with Tony is if you actually look at his background and see what he has achieved in his business career, frankly it's amazing.

"He has been key to the development of over 60 cities in China.

"When you look at the depth and breadth of the Recon Group, if he can replicate what he has achieved in China at Aston Villa, it will be transformational.

"That was one of the reasons why we and Randy himself is pleased he got it over the line.

"One thing I've learned you need an ownership who has enthusiasm and talent at it's core and who want to engage and make it part of their lives and want to be the most successful.

"When you see Tony and his team you will see they have all that ambition. Tony has some grand plans and you will soon see.

"Those plans are really, really exciting. For any supporter of this club to be a part of that journey that Tony is going to map out, it is going to be really great."

The deal, which could cost Xia as much as £100million if Villa are promoted back to the Premier League, is now subject to ratification by the Premier League and Football.

Hollis expects the entire process to be complete within the next two to three weeks.

He said: "Our workers are working hard to see whether we can get it through. We are confident, now it's down to Tony's people.

"Two or three weeks. It's an overseas buyer. Don't under-estimate, this is the first largest overseas investment from mainland China over here. That is huge."