Business interests outside of the UK have kept Dr Tony Xia away from Villa Park over the last few weeks. In that time, Aston Villa’s promotion campaign has stalled and is now arresting. It seems that Dr Tony’s influence has a cohesive effect on the club.
In a tweet on December 27th, Dr Tony explained his recent silence and absence from Villa Park:
A hectic work& business travel schedule month.Just recovering from one week serious flu. No enough free time and most time inaccessible to Twitter. Hopefully it will also end the ‘disaster month’ with a win! Time to recovery! #AVFC
— Dr. Tony Xia (@Dr_TonyXia) December 27, 2017
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During that time, he posted on his Weibo account several times. Most of them were vague posts alluding to rumour and speculation around Recon Group subsidiaries having financial problems. It seems that interests away from Villa Park are more pressing at the moment. However, that is changing quickly.
If Aston Villa fail to achieve promotion this season, it will have a negative impact on cash flow. Parachute payments from the Premier League will decrease so liquidity will be an issue. Interestingly, the Mirror newspaper have stated that borrowings are already being made to pay wages. They are also alleging that suppliers are being kept waiting for payments.
Being such a high profile individual, Dr Tony’s absence from social media is seen as problematic. His openness has been refreshing, almost too open at times, and is now needed to “steady the ship”. Steve Bruce’s excuses are wearing thin on fans so realism and honesty is required.
In that vein of openness and realism, CEO Keith Wyness delivered a message to fans via Twitter:
Everyone doing all we can to get things back on track, all leave cancelled and every hard question being asked, together we must turn it round, everyone knows the reality
— keith (@retsub12) December 28, 2017
“Back on track“, “every hard question asked“, “everyone knows the reality” are interesting choices of phrases. Does that mean that Steve Bruce’s tenure is being questioned? It’s difficult to imagine that Dr Tony and Wyness will allow this malaise over the team to last too long. There is too much riding on this season to fail. The FFP restrictions do not make the job any easier. However, a manager with a plan and the ability to motivate can do wonders with little money. Look at Brentford’s Dean Smith and how his team played against us on Boxing Day.
It’s probably a coincidence that Aston Villa haven’t won a game since Dr Tony last attended a game. It’s not a coincidence that we have only taken three points from a possible 15. The club needs a change to get positive results. If that requires an intervention in the management of the club then the Aston Villa board need to do that.
Dr Tony, we need you to do something! Tweet, buy or sack but do something.