Randy Lerner manages to shoe-horn ‘romantic nourishment’ into apology to Aston Villa fans

235 words that come across better, at least, than 'my bad'.

Randy Lerner had ambitions when he took over Aston Villa in 2006. He upped Martin O'Neill's squad budget, invested in the youth structures and sought Champions League football. Three 6th place finishes were the height of it. O'Neill moved on and Villa went from bad to worse. Following a few close calls, in recent seasons, Villa have now been condemned to Championship football. Lerner quit pouring all of his millions into it a long time back. In 2014, he put the club up for sale. So it remains but the price must be dropping quicker than the credibility of Villa's playing staff. With the club well and truly sunk, the American billionaire has issued a florid apology that may interest neutrals but do little to the long-suffering fans. He even manages to mention romantic nourishment...

"A nagging sense of inevitability set in against Leicester City despite the late lead we enjoyed. Can't say why although I doubt I'm alone... How many seasons after all can one hold on and hope to slide through? That is not Aston Villa. That kind of desperate existence is totally unacceptable, unbearable and totally incompatible with Villa's glorious past. That is not what, or why, I looked to get involved back then and it is why I've looked for some time to make a change. I can say certainly in good faith that I have tried to sell since my May 2014 announcement and put our beloved club in better suited hands - but that hasn't happened. I write to Villa supporters to make clear that this relegation lies at my feet and no one else's. And because I believe in Aston Villa and know it will come back stronger and more able, with love and care for the community it serves, with the edge and attitude it must have to represent our history and tradition. Memories of Acorns on the shirt, and Ashley Young scoring a late winner against Everton still romantically nourish me. I know Villa will return better, stronger. I will continue to try to put the club into worthy hands as I have, and also do my best to position Villa for the quickest possible return to its rightful place among England's elite."