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Long time English Premier League side Aston Villa FC, who were relegated last season and will now play in the Championship have opened their first football academy outside England in New Delhi, India.
Dr Tony Jiantong Xia the chairman, CEO and owner of Recon Group from China, over the summer bought Aston Villa and though the club after relegation needs to quickly get back on its feet and regain its Premiership status is looking around the world to create a Manchester City kind of club network with potential interests in the North American MLS, the Chinese Super League and the Australian A-League besides the Indian Super League.
Dr Tony Xia announced the plan in New Delhi today after holding meetings over the last few days with India’s Minister of Sport Vijay Goel and Minister of Education Prakesh Javedekar.
Amongst other things, Aston Villa is set to be appointed as advisor on football as the sport forms part of the national curriculum for Indian state schools.
Tony Xia, chairman of Aston Villa Football Club while addressing the media in New Delhi announcing the launch of its academy in India said, “Aston Villa Football Club, one of the most successful football clubs in the history of English football, plans to expand globally and India is one of the countries where Aston Villa not only wants to have an Indian Super League club but also open football academies all over India!”
The new Aston Villa academy will be located in New Delhi on property provided by the New Delhi Municipal Council, including a 3G pitch and offices, changing rooms, gym, classrooms and other amenities. The academy will train coaches to work in the state schools and will coach kids from the age of five upwards.
Aston Villa also plans to tie-up with a club playing in the Indian Super League, maybe even buy a stake though they could also wait in owning an own franchise when the ISL expands.
The Aston Villa chairman further revealed he hoped to find talented Indian footballers to attend the club’s Bodymoor Heath academy and eventually progress to play in Villa’s first team.
“Aston Villa has one of the best football academies in the world and has fans all over the world and some of our famous fans include David Cameron, Prince William, Tom Hanks and, using our network, we also want to help promote the U17 FIFA World Cup being held in India next year and make it a big sports celebration in India!” he further added.
