Aston Villa boss Paul Lambert has defended owner Randy Lerner following rumours this week the American tycoon was considering selling the club. Despite Lerner's lack of communication with supporters, Lambert said: "I think the fans really appreciate what they have - the stadium, everything.
"Anybody who decides to have a shot at him or criticises him is way off the mark.
"He is a private guy, which he is totally entitled to be, and you have to respect that.
"There's no great issue for the fans if Randy is here or not here, and with what he has done.
"If you look at all the facts, the money he has put in and what he has done for the local community, let alone anything else, he is entitled to his way of doing things and you have to respect that."
Lambert believes he would be in the know if the former owner of American football's Cleveland Browns was also preparing to sell Villa.
"It's well documented I'm always in contact with Randy and he's never spoken about anything like that whatsoever, we speak about football," added Lambert.
"I don't really buy into too much of that. I don't get involved in it, and I'm pretty sure I'd be one of the first to know.
"But he's every right to decide what he wants to do. He is the main person at this club.
"But as I've said before, nobody should ever criticise Randy for what he has done at this club.
"Right now we get on well and we are planning to drive the club forward. I know the remit here.
"As manager and chairman we get on really well. Our relationship is like that. It's no problem.
"He has been great, really supportive. When things were ropey last year he was really supportive, and this year he has been excellent with me."
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