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Jonathan White

Aston Villa minority owner Tony Xia Jiantong posted on Twitter after his side won their return to the English Premier League by defeating Derby County in the Championship play-off final at Wembley on Monday.
The game is said to be the most valuable in the sport, with the winner set to bank £170 million (US$ 215 million) from going up.
The Beijing-based billionaire claimed that he had kept his promise to Villa fans by leading the club to promotion.
Xia posted two pictures on the social media site, one that showed a sign held by a fan declaring “We will be back”.

3years ago. That game. This picture. I made the decision to scarify for this beloved club. Maybe it’s delayed. I kept my promise! UTV! VTWD! pic.twitter.com/WmyGsVReI8
— Dr. Tony Xia (@Dr_TonyXia) 27 May 2019

One was from when the side were relegated from the top flight three seasons ago and another in the aftermath of Monday’s win.
“3years ago. That game. This picture. I made the decision to scarify [sic] for this beloved club. Maybe it’s delayed. I kept my promise! UTV! VTWD!” Those initials mean “Up The Villa” and “Villa Till We Die”.
Aston Villa promoted to the Premier League – how else did Chinese-owned football clubs fare this season?
Xia took over the Birmingham-based side in May 2016, through his Recon Group.
He quickly became a personality on Twitter for his regular posts – but the frequency of those has decreased in recent months.
That has coincided with Xia selling his majority stake to Milwaukee Bucks owner Wes Edens and Nassef Sawaris last summer.
The party’s over for cash-strapped English championship club Aston Villa so what now?
The sale came after the club faced administration for failing to gain promotion through last season’s play-off final, a situation that was exacerbated by Beijing’s capital controls on taking money our of China
Sawaris and Edens paid £60 million (US$ 76 million) for the club and then appointed Dean Smith, the manager that took them up at Wembley.
Xia kept a 45 per cent stake in the club but took a back seat, with Sawiris replacing him as chairman. He has kept a low-profile since.

Fantastic to have Aston Villa back in Premier League for first time since 2016. A faded powerhouse, they were Champions of Europe in 1982, and will represent Birmingham, England's 2nd biggest city, carrying hopes of superfans Prince William and Tom Hanks with them. Godspeed pic.twitter.com/uQjvIw2ta9
— roger bennett (@rogbennett) 27 May 2019

The Birmingham Mail reports that the minority owner has not attended any games this season but he was there at Wembley and his appearance was commented on by Villa fans on social media, not always in a positive light.
Many decried the fact that former owner Randy Lerner made £30 million (US$38 million) from promotion, as per the terms of the sale with Xia.
Others claimed that Xia “did right by the club” in selling it to Edens and Sawiris amid difficult circumstances.

Good To See You @Dr_TonyXia Celebrations. pic.twitter.com/58T482omsX
— SRU L (@Sar007th) 27 May 2019

The new owners were ebullient in victory. “The sky is the limit, with such a fan base and such a great squad,” Sawiris told broadcaster Sky Sports after the match.
“We’ve seen that with great management.
“Our ambition was not just to get promoted but to do well in the Premier League.”

On Monday I will bleed claret and blue for Aston Villa. One match away for a return to the Premier League. Up the Villa! Hanx
— Tom Hanks (@tomhanks) 25 May 2019

Villa won the game 2-1 thanks to goals from Anwar El Ghazi and John McGinn, exorcising the memory of losing at this stage 12 months ago and missing out on promotion.
“It just feels great to be able to do something for all these great fans behind us.”
Villa’s play-off dream came about because they beat one of several Chinese-owned Midlands sides, West Bromwich Albion, in the semi-final.
Meet Tony Xia Jiantong, the 40-year-old Chinese businessman who just bought soccer club Aston Villa for HK$683.5m
They now join the three other clubs in the English top flight with Chinese investment.
Champions Manchester City sold a 13 per cent stake in their parent company to Beijing-based China Media Capital and CITIC Capital in 2015 for US$400 million.
Fosun-owned Wolverhampton Wanderers finished seventh last season, their highest finish in 40 years.
The two clubs will compete in the only Midlands derby in the Premier League next season.
Southampton are the third club in the top flight with Chinese backing.
Gao Jisheng bought a majority stake in the club in 2017 but it has not gone smoothly. Earlier this year the Premier League announced they were investigating the club because of the sale of Gao’s Lander Sports to the Chinese state, while more recently the club’s shirt sponsorship deal with LD Sports raised eyebrows.


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English Premier League

Aston Villa’s Chinese chairman Tony Xia claims he kept his Premier League promise by gaining promotion in Championship play-off final

Aston Villa co-owner Tony Xia celebrates the club’s second goal in the Wembley stands. Photo: Reuters

Aston Villa on the brink of the Premier League – how else did Chinese-owned football clubs fare this season?

Aston Villa’s Jack Grealish thanks the crowd after winning the play-off semi-final to return to Wembley. Photo: Reuters

Soccer Football - Serie A - Inter Milan v Empoli - San Siro, Milan, Italy - May 26, 2019 Inter Milan's Samir Handanovic and Marcelo Brozovic celebrate after the match as Empoli players look dejected as they are relegated from Serie A REUTERS/Alberto Lingria

Manchester City's team captain Vincent Kompany lifts the trophy after winning the English FA Cup Final soccer match between Manchester City and Watford at Wembley stadium in London, Saturday, May 18, 2019. Manchester City won 6-0. (AP Photo/Tim Ireland)

As storied club Aston Villa crumbles, Chinese chairman Tony Xia doles out tips on Twitter

Dr Tony Xia Jiantong, chairman of English club Aston Villa, has been active in his role so far. Photo: Reuters

Britain Soccer Football - Barnsley v Aston Villa - Sky Bet Championship - Oakwell - 27/9/16 Aston Villa Manager Roberto Di Matteo applauds their fans Action Images via Reuters / Craig Brough Livepic EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.

Aston Villa are in a bigger predicament than they care to think  

Football Soccer - Aston Villa v Crystal Palace - Barclays Premier League - Villa Park - 12/1/16 Aston Villa's Joleon Lescott celebrates with team mates after scoring their first goal Reuters / Darren Staples Livepic EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.

** FILE ** Cleveland Browns owner Randy Lerner watches the team's football minicamp practice in Berea, Ohio in this June 13, 2005 photo. Lerner is set to take over Aston Villa after a rival group failed Thursday, Aug . 24, 2006, to match his bid to buy the Premier League soccer team. A group led by Michael Neville and Nicolas Padfield could not better the $118.8 million bid Lerner made Aug. 14 to buy Villa, one of the oldest teams in English soccer. Lerner would be the second American owner of a Premier League team, and the fourth foreign owner. Last year, Tampa Bay Buccaneers owner Malcolm Glazer took over at Manchester United, one of the most popular teams in the world. (AP Photo/Mark Duncan)

Football Soccer - Aston Villa v Crystal Palace - Barclays Premier League - Villa Park - 12/1/16 Aston Villa manager Remi Garde before the match Action Images via Reuters / Andrew Boyers Livepic EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.

Football Soccer - Aston Villa v Crystal Palace - Barclays Premier League - Villa Park - 12/1/16 Aston Villa's Mark Bunn celebrates after Joleon Lescott (not pictured) scores their first goal Reuters / Darren Staples Livepic EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.

Football Soccer - Wycombe Wanderers v Aston Villa - FA Cup Third Round - Adams Park - 9/1/16 Aston Villa fans look dejected Reuters / Eddie Keogh Livepic EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.

Aston Villa teammates celebrate a rare 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace. The club’s fortunes have been on a downward spiral with aloof American owner Randy lerner keen to sell. Photo: Reuters

Sport

Football

Controversial chairman had to sell majority stake in the club after play-off heartbreak last season
Fans fume at former owner Randy Lerner earning US$38 million from promotion as per terms of 2016 sale to Beijing-based billionaire


Controversial chairman had to sell majority stake in the club after play-off heartbreak last season
