Aston Villa owners V Sports in talks to buy controlling stake in French club FC Annecy

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The Athletic revealed in November that Villa had established a partnership with the Ligue 2 club, exchanging details on players, as well as various working methods. Villa were leaning on the V Sports group, led by Wes Edens and Nassef Sawiris, to integrate Annecy into its multi-club umbrella, which included Japanese club Vissel Kobe and Real Union of Spain. V Sports’ director of global football development, Matthew Kidson, was tasked with connecting the clubs together, even if the partnership, at the time, was informal. However, V Sports is closing in on acquiring a controlling stake in Annecy, having held discussions and intending to finalise the agreement in recent months. V Sports have also been looking at other clubs in Europe. A formal investment would help to accelerate plans with Villa and other clubs in its stable. This will include a continuation of young Villa players moving to France, either on loan or permanently, plus improvements to Annecy’s facilities and possibly its 15,600-capacity Parc des Sports stadium. Villa’s 19-year-old academy graduate, Triston Rowe, joined Annecy on a season-long deal last summer, while left-back Travis Patterson, 20, moved there in January. Villa have continued to send staff who specialise in their loans programme as well as other coaches, to watch Rowe and, provided the agreement is finalised, assist with the integration of Annecy into the V Sports network. Annecy currently sit seventh in Ligue 2 and should they beat Rodez at home on Saturday, have the opportunity to finish in the promotion play-offs to Ligue 1. Elsewhere, Villa have informal partnerships with other clubs across different continents, including MLS side, Columbus Crew and Ivorian club ASEC Mimosas. Villa have an agreement in place to sign their teenage striker Ibrahim Dosso upon turning 18 on January 1, 2027, having previously signed midfielder Mohamed Kone last summer. The partnership with Columbus Crew stems from a sporting standpoint, with ideas shared regarding scouting systems, coaching methods and how to determine the most productive ways of recruiting. This includes open communication across the Atlantic and travelling. Last year, Columbus Crew’s technical director, Marc Nicholls, visited Birmingham as another indication of the willingness to cooperate. Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms