Aston Villa chairman Randy Lerner will not discuss his future at the club until the end of the season following reports he is planning to sell the Midlanders. Lerner does not want Villa to be distracted from their survival fight, but his official statement has fuelled suggestions he could walk away in the summer.
He told the club's official website: "Following the point yesterday at Villa Park, there have been stories about my selling the club. On a personal level, I had hoped the emphasis would have been on the amazing effort on the part of our manager and our players to regroup throughout a very difficult week.
"Injuries to Libor (Kozak) and Christian (Benteke), compounded with the early loss of Jores (Okore) and the difficult rehab of Charles (N'Zogbia) have no doubt left Paul with far less to work with than is fair.
"Still, Paul Lambert has done nothing but work within the parameters I've set, put the club first and continue to trust his players.
"As regards my personal role at the club and the steady rumours of a sale, I will address these after the season. Paul Lambert, Paul Faulkner and I speak daily and remain committed to the immediate job of limiting distraction and confusion in order that Villa have the best chance possible of finishing on a strong note."
