Leeds United fans bemoan their ‘luck’ as Aston Villa become the latest club taken over by Far East billionaires.

Like a desperate gamble who plays a Vegas slot machine for hours only to walk away and see the next player hit the jackpot on their first attempt, Leeds United supporters watched on with frustration last night as reports about Aston Villa’s £60 million takeover emerged.

Villa confirmed via their official website that the club will be sold to Chinese businessman Dr Tony Jiantong Xia, with The BBC reporting the £60 million price.

Leeds have been outside the top flight for 12 years, since their relegation in 2004, while Aston Villa have been relegated for just a matter of weeks, while the Premier League season only ended last weekend.

Villa fans had been desperate for a buyer to rid them of Randy Lerner, who had been public in his desire to sell.

Leeds of course have been taken over twice since their relegation, but owners GFH did not have the money required to elevate their performance on the pitch, while current owner Massimo Cellino has spent money sorting out their mess, while also presiding over a bizarre hire-and-fire approach of managers which ultimately has simply left him back at square one.

Just last week Cellino told The Times. “I’m ashamed to say it. If someone wants to buy the club I will sell it. If somebody doesn’t come in I have no choice but to run it. A lot of people have called me to buy the club but they are just fishing and trying to take advantage of my situation.”

For now Leeds fans continue to wait, hoping for a change of ownership which can get them dreaming again.

Their job in the short term has just become harder, with Villa likely to be strong contenders to win promotion back to the Premier League next season if they can spend Dr Xia’s money wisely.

It may require a big investment to get Leeds up to Villa’s level, who also have Premier League parachute payments from their relegation to help their battle to get back into the top flight.

Leeds fans were quick to express a range of views on Twitter as news of Villa’s takeover broke. Here is a look at the reaction…

This content could not be loaded someone at the FA please ban cellino so we can get rid. Aston villa taken over FFS, a fraction of a club in comparison to #lufc — Jordan Holcroft (@holky05) May 18, 2016

This content could not be loaded So villa can just get a decent takeover just like that. Why cant we, why does it take all season, then we get crooks Sick of it #lufc #joke — Millen Brown (@ryjames87) May 18, 2016

This content could not be loaded How come another chinaman has bought Villa and we are left with a mad Italian and the poorest Arab in the world? #lufc — Chris Rhodes (@chrisrhodes1326) May 18, 2016

This content could not be loaded Aston Villa there, a club that owns it’s ground and training ground, being sold for what MC wants for #lufc — Bowlesy (@BowlesyM) May 18, 2016

This content could not be loaded That’s big news for Aston Villa. Shame that we have a joke of an owner who is probably impossible to deal with for potential buyers #LUFC — Ben Slater (@_Ben_Slater_) May 18, 2016

This content could not be loaded Jealous of Aston Villa…. Strange but true #lufc — Nigel Tufnell (@CalderPot) May 18, 2016

This content could not be loaded How exciting for Villa fans. We are a one club city with huge fanbase.. everything is there for someone to make us great again. #lufc — Lee Thompson (@lufcThommo) May 18, 2016

This content could not be loaded Villa been waiting months for a rich owner and get one at the end of the season no messing. We’ve been waiting 14 years. Still are #lufc — Rob Dawson (@robert_dawson5) May 18, 2016

This content could not be loaded Cellino wants the same amount that Lerner sold Villa for when we have no stadium, no training ground and no parachute payments. #TTGM #lufc — Josh Akers (@joshakers93) May 18, 2016

This content could not be loaded So Villa have just been taken over and are set to announce a new manager while we, well what are we doing? #lufc — Matthew Beedle (@Matthew_Beedle) May 18, 2016

This content could not be loaded 15 years ago #lufc were bigger than chelsea, spurs, villa, city. Thanks to years of neglect, we are just another coventry. Reality check. — Mersey-White (@MerseyWhite) May 18, 2016

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