Xia accepts apology and warns club
TONY Xia has accepted Barry Fry’s apology – and warned Villa he is not satisfied with their progress.
Fry accused Xia of lacking ambition last week but has now back-tracked on his comment and said sorry to the Villa owner.
The Peterborough director of football’s apology came after Villa manager Steve Bruce explained how much Xia has invested in the Championship club.
Posh, of League One, beat Villa 3-1 in the FA Cup third-round tie at Villa Park on Saturday.
Responding to Fry’s latest comments, Xia said ‘It’s fine’ but went on to remind his Villa staff of his own high standards.
He is demanding promotion to the Premier League this season. Villa are fifth in the Championship table.
“It’s fine that everyone made mistakes,” tweeted Xia. “However I agreed we still need to work harder to improve, step by step closer to our targets.
“Right now I have to admit it’s still a piece of business far away to my expectations, if it’s not the worst among RECON’s different segments.”
Fry had earlier said: “First and foremost, I must apologise to Tony Xia, the owner of Aston Villa Football Club, for questioning his ambition last week without knowing the full facts.
“Before the game on Saturday, I spent 30 minutes in the company of Steve Bruce, who explained that his owner had put in £80million in the last two years at Villa. As usual, I got the wrong end of the stick and I apologise to Mr Xia.
“I had read an article a few weeks ago where Steve Bruce was quoted as saying he wouldn’t have any funds in the transfer window and that he had to beg, steal and borrow from his mates in the Premier League.
“Steve explained that was down to the Financial Fair Play rules, which we all have to abide by. I wrongly took that as the Villa owner and board were not backing Steve.
“Anybody that puts £80million into a football club and who signs the best captain in the land in John Terry has certainly got the ambition followed by his passion and commitment. I should have got my facts right and I am sorry.”