Xia lined up Albion talks before Villa caught his eye
TONY Xia considered buying West Bromwich Albion before he was swayed by the size of Aston Villa, the Birmingham Post can reveal.
The Chinese businessman arranged to meet former Baggies owner Jeremy Peace when he was looking to invest in a football club last year.
Xia was interested in taking over at The Hawthorns but as soon as he set eyes on Villa his heart was sold.
The Recon Group chairman felt that, despite relegation, Villa were the bigger club with far greater potential.
His energy and enthusiasm to transform the fortunes of the fallen giant convinced former owner Randy Lerner to sell.
Had Xia not shown such an appetite to lift the doom and gloom enveloping Villa Park, Lerner would have held tight until he found the right man.
This time last year little was known about the ambitious entrepreneur from mainland China.
Twelve months on and his motives are clear. For all his outlandish tweeting, Xia is a man who genuinely cares about the club. He immediately bought into the ‘Villa way’ and quickly understood the club’s history and heritage.
Meanwhile, Villa have released 10 players as part of their summer clear-out.
Following injury-plagued striker Libor Kozak out of the club are young duo Henry Cowans, Riccardo Calder, Jerell Sellars, Joonas Sundman, Rory Hale, Tom Leggett, Joe Linley and Johna Abdoul, while Niall Mason looks set to make his loan move with Doncaster permanent.
Eighteen-year-old defender Johan Abdoul also left Villa Park at the end of his contract.