Source: PA
MacDonald seeks Lerner talks
Aston Villa caretaker manager Kevin MacDonald is hoping to speak to owner Randy Lerner over the next few days to find out whether there is any cash to spend in the transfer market.
MacDonald will continue to hold the reins for the next few days at least, taking in Thursday night's Europa League play-off with Rapid Vienna and Sunday's Barclays Premier League trip to Newcastle.
Victories in those to follow on from Saturday's impressive season-opening 3-0 triumph at home to West Ham could persuade Lerner that the 49-year-old Scot is the man for the job.
MacDonald, however, has yet to decide on whether he wants it, but he knows the clock is ticking towards the closure of the transfer window. If the squad is to be strengthened it needs doing so fast, but the key is whether Lerner is willing to make money available. The departure of James Milner to Manchester City - with Stephen Ireland moving in the opposite direction - will have freed some funds.
Whether MacDonald gets the opportunity to invest is another matter, as he said: "At the moment I've not spoken to Mr Lerner or Paul (Faulkner, chief executive) about who is controlling the transfers.
"The only ongoing transfer when I took over related to Stephen and James, so probably after Thursday's game I might be able to speak to them. If not we've Sunday's game to look forward to as well, so we've so much going on for me to try and get my head round. But after Sunday we've only 10 days to see what there is and if there are going to be any dealings in the market."
