Doug Ellis: Damned if he does, damned if he doesn't

Before I allow my fingers to go tell a story many will think I am crazy for writing I should say this; I believe Doug Ellis should step down and I believe he is doing everything in his power to make it happen. Not because he's done a bad job but because Aston Villa need a change - it's clearly not working the way we all believe it should for 'our' Aston Villa.

However he's not Paul Daniels and he can't magic a buyer out of his Chester Trilby 'just like that'.

With the half year interim results coming out this morning we've seen a lot of press and lot's of statements which have baffled me and it's only the glass of red wine I have every day with my dinner that has given me the confidence to write something I'm sure will be criticised.

Since David O'Leary became the manager the club have a net spend on transfers of ?16,430,000 and there are only seven clubs that have a bigger net spend during the same period.

Everyone, me included, calls for new players but when Doug Ellis sanctions spending the money on players and the half year accounts look a little bleak everyone is jumping on his back - it's not fair or right - especially as the second half of the season for every football team in the land is a better one financially.

The Aston Villa Shareholders Association have made a statement today in response to the interim accounts. In it they say 'You only need to look at their [the club] in-ability to keep a loan player that their manager had asked for to see the financial situation at the club isn't what it should be for such a large and historic institution.'

As this particular Shareholder isn't a member the Aston Villa Shareholders Association they are not speaking on my behalf but they did have more to say about the below average results announced and the introduction of Rothschild; 'We feel this provides a perfect illustration as to why major changes are required at Aston Villa and why the board are right in finally putting the club in the hands of Rothschild's.'

I am not meaning to criticise the Association but the club is firmly in the hands of Doug Ellis - nobody else! Rothschild are just a vehicle to look for interested parties to make an offer or to invest. The involvement of Rothschild, albeit good news and something I support, could end as quickly as it begun.

On the subject of Eirik Bakke, his deal ran out at the end of this month and he came off injured against West Ham. It made good business sense for him to go back to Leeds. Why should the club be paying for an 8th midfielder?

Onto the Aston Villa Supporters' Trust, they also felt it necessary to release a statement this afternoon.

They had this to say 'Confusion and delays over the proposed takeover, followed by this news [interim results] are creating a poor atmosphere at the club and a concerning period for all Villa fans. The only way, we as fans can try to help this situation is to ensure that attendances are high. Meanwhile the Trust urges the club?s senior management to take a good look at how they are operating.'

I liked this as the only way supporters can help is by attending matches and buying the overpriced merchandise that we continue to buy every year. Suggesting there is a poor atmosphere at the club however is a little wide of the mark in my opinion and certainly not something that they should be publicly commenting on especially after they've told us the best way to help.

Somebody once said football is a funny game. Football is not funny any more because it's all about money these days and I for one don't particularly like it for that single reason. My point is this; there are lots of things that need to be fixed in the game before we start harassing our chairman for doing exactly what we asked of him especially when attendances are so low.

Aston Villa will, eventually find a buyer. They are ripe for a takeover and one day soon I believe it will happen but hasn't Doug done just about everything everyone and every group has asked of him?

He's spent the cash and is actively looking for a buyer. In terms of financial security Aston Villa are one of the best positioned clubs in the country!

Isn't it now time to leave him be for the rest of his time at Villa Park or at least can we all get back on the David O'Leary out topic?