Villa fans puzzled by Bakke exit

Aston Villa fans and shareholders are “baffled” by the club’s failure to retain the services of midfielder Eirik Bakke for the remainder of the season.

Bakke has been allowed to return to Leeds after a loan spell because Villa felt extending his stay or making the deal permanent was “not viable”.

Manager David O’Leary already has one of the smallest squads in the Premiership and Villa Shareholders Association chairman Jonathan Fear is concerned the team could be sucked into a relegation battle if they pick up more injuries.

Fear, who is also the spokesman for Villa Fans Combined, said: “It is baffling what is going on. Many fans are not particularly upset about the fact that Bakke has gone.

“But it is not about the quality of the player. It is the principle of the matter in that David O’Leary has made it clear he wants a player and the chairman (Doug Ellis) is doing the opposite.

“If we are in such a poor state financially it does beg the question: ’Where has the money gone?’ or he (Ellis) doesn’t trust David O’Leary to spend it.

“Does it mean we are going to sell the players who want to leave? The club are saying there are no funds to buy anyone so where have they gone?

“We are only just above the relegation zone and if we get another injury or two, there is plenty of the season left for Villa to get sucked back into the relegation battle.”

Fear is also calling for “clarity” over the proposed takeover involving the Comer Brothers and Michael Neville, with a concrete offer still to be made.

There is strong speculation that some of Villa’s leading shareholders will call for an extraordinary general meeting if yet another takeover bid fails to materialise.

Fear said: “If Doug is cost-cutting, does that mean he knows the takeover is not going to happen?

"All people want is a bit of clarity over the position.

“No-one can unravel what is happening at Villa. The two sides hide behind the fact they have to show ‘due diligence’ because it involves the Stock Exchange but that does not mean there has to be total silence.

“There should be better communication.”