Aston Villa owner Randy Lerner is as dedicated as ever, insists club's chief executive

The man with the money: Aston Villa owner Randy LernerAston Villa owner Randy Lerner is as 'dedicated as ever' to bringing success to the club despite a lack of investment in new players over the past year.That is the belief of Villa chief executive Paul Faulkner, who insists the ambition is still to challenge at the top level both in the Barclays Premier League and Europe.Villa have achieved three successive top-six Premier League finishesbut are languishing in the bottom half of the table heading into thefestive period.They have not spent any money on new signings in 2010, althoughStephen Ireland was rated at £8million as the makeweight in thepart-exchange deal that saw James Milner move to Manchester City in thesummer.But Faulkner is quick to defend Lerner's transfer record. He said:'Randy is as dedicated as he's ever been towards Villa, absolutely.'When he bought the club, you knew you were going to have to pay theprice to buy it and then spend on players initially over a number ofyears.'We've spent £140million on players and - net - it's still nearly £100 million. Battle: Villa beat West Brom in their last Premier League outing 'Over the four-and-a-half years Randy has been here, probably only Manchester City have spent more.'You've also got to spend on infrastructure which we did with redeveloping Bodymoor Heath [Villa's training ground] and in improving and upgrading parts of Villa Park.'Faulkner added: 'There is always an initial period of spending and then it settles down a bit.'But the ambition now is the same as it has always been - to be competing at the very highest level in England and Europe.' Ruthless Houllier begins cull of stars with Sidwell bound for West HamBasement boys West Ham in advanced talks to sign Villa midfielder SidwellASTON VILLA FC

Source: Daily_Mail