Martin O'Neill says Aston Villa owner is still committed to the club

Martin O'Neill insists Aston Villa owner Randy Lerner remains committed to the club despite huge problems at his crisis-stricken Cleveland Browns.

US billionaire Lerner, 47, is revered at Villa Park after buying out the unpopular Doug Ellis in August 2006 for £62million.

He has since invested £100m on new players to turn the club, who came sixth last term, into top four contenders.

And the hands-on American has even renovated a Warwickshire farmhouse near their training ground so he can devote as much time as possible to improving Villa.

But Lerner has returned to the US to sort out his NFL franchise Cleveland, who prop up the AFC North Division after losing nine of their opening 10 matches.

Lerner, searching for a new general manager after sacking George Kokinis, held a meeting with disgruntled Browns fans earlier this month.

Supporters had 2,000 names on a petition complaining and some even protested before their last home against the Baltimore Ravens.

But Villa boss O’Neill insists the American’s vision for his Premier League club remains intact as the pair aim to strengthen the fifth-placed outfit in January.

He said: “The Browns are not doing well and Randy is there.

"He has seen less games this season live with us than he has done before. But he has seen all the games and gets them at his home to watch, and he was over a couple of weeks ago for a day or two.

“I don’t really have long conversations with him about the Cleveland Browns as I have enough concerns of my own here. But I don’t think he has lost any ambition here because of it.

“He is committed to making Villa Park better, to improve the stadium.”

Businessman Lerner, worth around £1billion, inherited control of the Browns when his father Al, who owned credit card firm MBNA, died in October 2002.

But many Browns fans reckon Lerner now favours Villa - just like Tampa Bay Buccaneers supporters claim the Glazers prefer Manchester United.

Yet O’Neill insists NFL rules mean Lerner cannot simply plough more money into the Browns to turn them around.

O’Neill added: “American football has a central pool and I know there is a salary cap.

“I think it is more centralised and money is given out. I am not so sure particular owners fund things themselves.”

The Browns' season hit a new low as they lost 38-37 to fellow strugglers Detroit Lions in their previous game.

Kokinis’ sacking is the latest upheaval for a franchise that has made the play-offs just once since 1999 and is on its fourth coach in 10 years.

And Lerner has himself admitted: “It’s been way too long since the Browns have had anything to feel good about or invest in. It’s clear that the doubt and negativity are taking on a life of their own.”