Villa owner Lerner has been attending games secretly, insists Lambert after reports American billionaire wants to sell the club



Paul Lambert has scotched rumours that Aston Villa’s Randy Lerner is no longer interested in the club, revealing that the owner has been to matches incognito so as to retain his privacy.



The American billionaire has this week been at the centre of suggestions that his eight-year love affair with Villa is over amid unconfirmed reports that he is putting the Birmingham club up for sale.



Those stories have been given credence due to the fact that Lerner has not been spotted in the directors’ box since December 2012.

Friendship: Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert has vehemently backed his owner Randy Lerner

The real boss: Lerner (right) chatting to former owner Doug Ellis when he took over the club

Asked about the owner’s commitment, given the lack of sightings at Villa Park, Lambert said: “How do you know he doesn’t attend games?



'He comes to games. He might not sit where you think he sits. I’m not going to tell you where he sits.



'But you can’t go with the word on the street. You’ve got to go with facts. Randy watches games.'



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It appears that Lerner on occasion forgoes his seat in the Trinity Road stand, taking advantage of a private box to watch matches on his own.

Lambert added: 'He’s entitled to his privacy. If you look at the facts, what he’s done for the community, he’s entitled to do it his way.



'He’s invested heavily. His other work goes unseen. That’s just the measure of it.'



