O’Neill welcomes arrival of billionaire Lerner

MARTIN O’NEILL has welcomed the impending arrival of Randy Lerner as Aston Villa’s new owner and will hold talks with the American billionaire in the next couple of days to determine what funds will be available before the transfer window closes.

And the former Celtic boss is hoping Lerner, the owner of NFL side Cleveland Browns, will have complete trust in his judgement when it comes to bringing in new blood.

Lerner has been given the green light to take control of the Midlands club after there were no counter-bids to his £62.6 million offer by last Thursday’s deadline.