VILLA AT HEART OF CITY’S 2022 GAMES
ASTON Villa will be ‘front and centre’ of Birmingham’s bid to deliver an unforgettable Commonwealth Games, according to chief executive Keith Wyness.
In midweek, Birmingham was announced as the host city for the 2022 Games, and Wyness is thrilled at the prospect of playing a part in the most expensive sporting event to be held in Britain since the London Olympics in 2012.
Wyness, who held roles at Everton and Aberdeen before being appointed to his position at Villa by owner Tony Xia’s Recon Group in June 2016, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to see the Games coming to Birmingham.
“It’s tremendous and I am pleased that Aston Villa, as always, is right at the front and centre of a major community initiative.
“We have been heavily involved behind the scenes in terms of the bidding process and we will now carry on with a major role in terms of execution.
“We will make sure it’s a once-in-a lifetime event for the whole of the region.
“I have 100 per cent confidence that Birmingham will deliver the best Games.
“My own knowledge of being in the city for the past couple of years is it’s clear there will be a huge welcome from the people and there’s a huge appetite for sports.
“I just know, with the international focus being on Birmingham for those few weeks, this city will deliver like never before.
“I know we will make everyone proud and I believe it will galvanise all the communities together. I can’t wait to get started.”
Villa Park is due to be the venue for the rugby sevens competition in 2022.
Wyness added: “We will continue to play our role in a much broader vision of what Aston Villa and Recon can do.”