Aston Villa’s Chinese chairman Tony Xia claims he kept his Premier League promise by gaining promotion in Championship play-off final
- 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$38 million from promotion as per terms of 2016 sale to Beijing-based billionaire
The game is said to be the most valuable in the sport, with the winner set to bank £170 million (US$ 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”.
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”.
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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.
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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.
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.
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.”
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.
