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Aston Villa’s new owner may need more realistic goals
Going from relegation to top three in the world in less than a decade? Yeah, that’s not happening.
Shaun Botterill/Getty Images
Tony Xia is the new owner of Aston Villa, and like all new owners he's proud of his team and wants them to do very well. The trouble is, though, he maybe wants them to do a little too well.
"My ambition is to bring Villa to the top six in less than five years and I hope it can be [one of] the top three in the world – even the best well known in the world – in less than 10 years."
-Source: Guardian
Top three in the world? Really? We are talking about the same Aston Villa, right? The Aston Villa that hasn’t been even close to good in five years, the Aston Villa that hasn’t even finished in the top three in the Premier League -- much less having any kind of good worldwide standing -- since 1993? The Aston Villa that just had one of the worst EPL seasons in a decade and were relegated? That Aston Villa?
Look, confidence is great and talk about a “new era” in which the past doesn’t matter is wonderful. But this club has some deep issues, and starting out from as low a point as they are, it’s going to take awhile just for them to get competitive again. Nudging elbows with the likes of Barcelona and Bayern Munich and Real Madrid is going to take a whole lot longer.
In the news
The Football League is proposing a big shakeup of the leagues under the EPL. (Guardian)
Barcelona fans will be allowed to bring Catalan independence flags to the Copa del Rey final after a previous ban was lifted. (BBC)
The FIGC said that it is “not a problem” that Juventus refused to release Leonardo Bonucci for a special Italy national team training camp this week, though Antonio Conte may feel differently. (Football Italia)
David Beckham has apparently asked Real Madrid to “be patient” with Zinedine Zidane’s development as a manger. (MARCA)
Bayer Leverkusen have signed talented forward Kevin Volland from Hoffenheim. (Sky Sports)
From the transfer rumor files: Granit Xhaka is in talks to join Arsenal. (ESPN FC)
You should be reading
Paul Campbell looks back at a bizarre and unpredictable Premier League season. (Guardian)
What do you do when a team you follow in another country gets relegated? Katelyn Burns has some advice. (Unusual Efforts)
Louis Van Gaal thinks that winning the FA Cup will “save” Manchester United’s season. Ian Darke says he’s wrong. (ESPN FC)
What to watch on Friday (click for listings, all times ET)
MLS: Philadelphia Union vs. DC United (7 p.m.): Both of these teams have been frustratingly inconsistent this season, but a big win in this regional matchup could spark a surge of form.
While there’s not much going on today, there is a lot of cup final action this weekend:
FA Cup (England): Crystal Palace vs. Manchester United (Saturday, 12:30 p.m.): A cup win would be a huge boost to Manchester United after a weird and disappointing season -- but Crystal Palace would love to get one over on them with an upset win.
DFB Pokal (Germany): Bayern Munich vs. Borussia Dortmund (Saturday, 1:45 p.m.): A cup final hosting one of the biggest rivalries in Germany, and one of the most fun rivalries in Europe over the last five years or so? Sign me up.
Coppa Italia (Italy): AC Milan vs. Juventus (Saturday, 2:45 p.m.): Juventus are the current powerhouse of Serie A, and are going for their second straight Coppa Italia title by beating the fallen titans of the league in Milan.
Coupe de France: Olympique Marseille vs. Paris Saint-Germain (Saturday, 3 p.m.): PSG are totally winning this, but Marseille has what it takes to make it interesting.
Taça de Portugal: Porto vs. Braga (Sunday 12:15 p.m.): Porto and Braga have had some knock-down, drag-out battles this season, so getting one more high-stakes match between the two sides is a treat.
Copa del Rey (Spain): Barcelona vs. Sevilla (Sunday, 3:30 p.m.): Barcelona get one last tune-up before the Champions League final next weekend by facing a team riding high off lifting their third straight Europa League title.
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