Tony Xia: No reason why Aston Villa takeover should be blocked

Prospective new owner Tony Xia claims there is "no reason" his takeover of Villa should not be given the green light.

Xia's proposed £75million buy-out of the claret and blues is currently being scrutinised by the Football League and the Premier League, with the Beijing businessman also undergoing a fit-and-proper test to see whether he can become the club's chairman.

Doubts have been cast on Xia's wealth ever since his deal to buy Villa was revealed a week ago, with the club forced to amend a statement after it emerged the 39-year-old's Recon Group owns a controlling stake in just one listed company, and not five as first claimed.

But in an interview with The Telegraph, Xia again sought to reassure supporters over his credentials.

"I think there is no way, and not any excuse, that they should turn me down because I am a person who is doing everything legally," he said.

"I am enthusiastic for the club and I will devote myself to it and I am responsible to take it over. There is no reason they will disapprove of that."

Xia has promised to the club's next manager, expected to be either Nigel Pearson or Roberto Di Matteo, up to £50million to spend this summer in order to revamp Villa's squad and has ambitious aims of making the relegated club one of the top three in the world in the next ten years.

In his interview with the Telegraph, Xia admitted one of his first tasks will be to change Villa's scouting team, with the club's much-maligned head of recruitment Paddy Riley set to pay the price for last summer's disastrous £55million spending spree.

"I think a lot of Villa fans will agree that one thing we have to make much stronger is the scouting team," he said.

"I think, more or less, the scouting team they had before, they have to take a lot of responsibility."