Randy Lerner still loves Aston Villa, says Alex McLeish

31 January 2012 23:00
Alex McLeish has re-assured Aston Villa supporters that owner Randy Lerner remains in love with his club - despite the lack of deadline-day transfer activity.[LNB]The Scot was in pragmatic mode at Bodymoor Heath as plenty of work was being undertaken - a large chunk of it by tonight's opponents QPR - but he had sufficient time to take lunch with the American owner.[LNB]Lerner's ties have been questioned of late, particularly as McLeish has stuck faithfully to the party line that the books must be balanced and the wage-bill slashed.[LNB] Have faith: McLeish says owner Lerner (below) is still backing the club[LNB]   But Lerner did stump up the cash to pay for 70 coaches to travel to the FA Cup tie in north London against Arsenal.[LNB]And McLeish maintained it was family ties that had prevented him from attending as many matches as he has done in previous seasons.[LNB]'I've had lunch with the chairman,' he said. 'He wants us to keep pushing as hard as we can to climb the league.[LNB]'Obviously the higher you get the revenue goes up, but at the same time we know that it's difficult to set any targets for this season in what remains transitional.[LNB]'He is committed. But he also has business and family in America which is preventing him a little bit from getting to games.[LNB]'But we're seeing more of him in midweek when his kids are at school and things like that. As far as I can see, he's madly in love with Aston Villa Football Club.[LNB] Loan star: Keane is the only player to arrive in January[LNB]'Invariably it's midweeks, when we've got games at weekends it's generally when he's got commitments with the kids and stuff. He is over here at the moment, for example.'[LNB]McLeish will welcome back Charles N'Zogbia tonight after the winger recovered from a foot injury.[LNB]He is unlikely to start but there was a clear warning from the manager that he expects the form of the France international to improve after an indifferent start which has yet to yield a goal.[LNB]He said: 'Charles is capable of greater things there is no doubt about that. I am sure he will show everybody at this club what he can do. Goals and assists were his trademark at Wigan and at Newcastle and that should be evidence for Charles that he has that in his locker.[LNB]'It does take people time to settle in. I don't think Stewart Downing settled in straight away. Even when he came back (from injury) I don't think he settled.[LNB] Heading for the exit: Delph (left) has joined Leeds while Defouneso (right) is already turning out for Leicester City - both on loan[LNB]'When you sign players that have players in this league you tend to think you just hit the ground running these guys because they know the league and they are exciting players. There are sometimes lacking as to what the reasons are.[LNB]'For a player of his ability, ?10million is not a lot of money. He has got to carry on the form he showed before he got his foot injury. We are looking for big things from Charles in a Villa shirt for this season and beyond.'In the Chelsea game he was tremendous; running at their back four and for Stephen Ireland's equaliser and in general he played a good team game as well as his attacking skills so we need to see Charlie at his best.'I've not sat him down and asked him but he knows the standards that are expected. He's aware the Villa fans are looking for 9/10 and 10/10 from the players that make the difference and Charles is one of those who can make a difference.' Strachan still keen on his Coventry old boy KeaneDunne: I don't blame Thierry, we'd all have done the sameClick here for the latest Premier League table, fixtures and results All the latest Aston Villa news, features and opinion  [LNB]  Share this article: FacebookTwitterGoogle+MessengerLinkedInDigg itNewsvineFarkNowpublicRedditPrint articleEmail article Add your commentsComments (0)No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts,or debate this issue live on our message boards.[LNB]Add your commentName:Town & Country:Your name and location will appear next to your comment.You have 1000 characters left.Libellous and abusive comments are not allowed. 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