Aston Villa Owner Accepts Blame For Relegation

22 April 2016, 12:07 | Updated: 22 April 2016, 19:40

Aston Villa owner Randy Lerner has accepted blame for the club's relegation from the Barclays Premier League

The American, who rarely attends games, has been under fire from fans during Villa's slide down the table over the last five years.

Villa were relegated from the Barclays Premier League after last week's 1-0 defeat to Manchester United, the first time they have dropped out of the top flight since 1987.

Lerner said in a written statement on the club's official website: I write to Villa supporters to make clear that this relegation lies at my feet and no one else's

A nagging sense of inevitability set in against Leicester City despite the late lead we enjoyed. Can't say why although I doubt I'm alone...

How many seasons after all can one hold on and hope to slide through? That is not Aston Villa. That kind of desperate existence is totally unacceptable, unbearable and totally incompatible with Villa's glorious past. That is not what, or why, I looked to get involved back then and it is why I've looked for some time to make a change. I can say certainly in good faith that I have tried to sell since my May 2014 announcement and put our beloved club in better suited hands - but that hasn't happened.

I write to Villa supporters to make clear that this relegation lies at my feet and no one else's. And because I believe in Aston Villa and know it will come back stronger and more able, with love and care for the community it serves, with the edge and attitude it must have to represent our history and tradition. Memories of Acorns on the shirt, and Ashley Young scoring a late winner against Everton still romantically nourish me. I know Villa will return better, stronger.

I will continue to try to put the club into worthy hands as I have, and also do my best to position Villa for the quickest possible return to its rightful place among England's elite.

R Lerner