what's going on?

If a week is a long time in politics then it's a bloody eternity at the Villa. Just ask any one of a number of erstwhile managers. With the club about to go public, snippets of information are flowing out of Villa Park but the whole picture remains a mystery which even MI5 have given up on.

The floatation itself signalled a dramatic turnaround from the claims that it was not on the agenda at the time of the conversion of special shares. Thoughts that it was a money making exercise for the Ellis clan now seem, if not without foundation, somewhat exaggerated. The share options question came up at last month's AGM, Doug claimed that they were not for his benefit (something we hope we won't have to remind him of in the future). Rather, they were to go to new directors and, specifically, Steve Stride.

It's incredible how many life-long Villa supporters Doug can wheel out when the situation arises.

Just who are these new directors to be? Two of the candidates have been announced recently, and they weren't much of a surprise. Mark Ansell of the club's auditors Deloitte Touche Ross and David Owen of solicitors Edge & Ellison are both described as life-long Villa supporters. It's incredible how many life-long Villa supporters Doug can wheel out when the situation arises. Another such devotee was Mervyn King, senior vice-president and Bank of England chief economist. Mere was invited to join the board until his boss (that's Eddy George, not Mr Ellis) prevented this, claiming that involvement with a commercial operation may lead to a conflict of interests. On accepting his nomination as vice president, King reeled off his Villa memories, which all revolved around matches against Manchester United. It may come as a shock, but we also play Wimbledon regularly. But more than that, he is an Ellis appointment which, history suggests, doesn't bode well for democracy. Even a militant like me accepts Doug's Power is absolute and will remain so until he chooses Otherwise, However, signs of independence would be welcome.

Not for a minute am I suggesting that Messrs. Ansell and Owen will conduct their affairs at Villa with anything less than total expertise. But looking at the way in which local solicitor John Ritchie can regularly put Doug's floatation advisors on the back foot worries me. I want directors to be elected on the same criteria as the manager was appointed and players bought - because they are the best.

Ellis is now searching for a high profile figure to excite the city. (Remember when all we had to worry about was the cost of getting trophies engraved') Apparently Branson is busy and the Maxwells are skint. But I don't mind giving up some of my time, Doug. Make me your heir and I'll say nice things about you, such is the depth of my principles.

The people who twice bailed out the club and remain its lifeblood are left in the dark.

The decision to reward Stride is to be welcomed. Rumour has it that he has been running the company for some years and certainly has the fans on side. Recent stories suggest that he is Chief Executive apparent (there goes my inheritance) and his record would no doubt impress our new financial overlords.

Apart from the secrecy which now surrounds the development of Aston Villa Plc, there is a worrying shift of emphasis. Already, before the dreaded AIM locks on to us, talk of football is disappearing. Financial concerns now take precedence to a disturbing degree Meanwhile, the people who twice bailed out the club and remain its lifeblood are left in the dark and the Plc's main business (football, remember) takes not so much a back seat as a small corner of the parcel shelf

Simon Page.