Aston Villa owner Randy Lerner has made it clear that he will not even ponder the potential sale of the club until after the current season.
Rumours circled on the weekend regarding the American entrepreneur and a possible summer sale of the West Midlands outfit but Lerner was calm on claims that he is about to walk away from Villa Park.
"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," Lerner told the club's official website in the wake of Saturday's battling 0-0 draw with Southampton.
"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."
