Steve Hollis: Tony Xia takeover will prove "transformational" for Aston Villa
Chairman Steve Hollis believes Tony Xia's takeover will prove "transformational" for both Villa and the city of Birmingham.
Hollis helped broker the deal for Xia to buy the claret and blues from Randy Lerner and is confident the new owner will make a success of running the club.
Supporters in the second city have first hand knowledge of Far East-backed takeovers quickly turning sour, with Villa's rivals Birmingham City having floundered under the stewardship of Carson Yeung.
But Hollis believes Xia's achievements in China should allay any fears and has tipped the 39-year-old to have a big impact both at Villa Park and the wider region.
He said: "Tony is not a gentleman who goes around making brash promises. This is a gentleman who has a proven track record of delivering. This is the single biggest football investment outside of China. The Chinese do not have a habit of doing things and coming second."
Yeung's reign at Blues ended with him in jail after being convicted of money laundering and the club in financial disarray.
