The Guardian:
Doug Ellis's future as Aston Villa chairman appeared increasingly uncertain last night when Randy Lerner, the owner of the Cleveland Browns American Football club, was strongly linked with a takeover for the Premiership club. Lerner, who is worth around US$1.2bn (£648m), is understood to be preparing a deal that could end Ellis's 24-year reign at Villa Park.
A spokesman for the Cleveland Browns said yesterday: "We have no comment on this specific matter, but can say that Randy has always maintained interests outside of the Browns and is currently exploring ones in England where he has been involved since 1993."
Reports of Lerner's interest follow a statement Villa made to the stock exchange last Thursday when the club revealed that two parties, one from the United Kingdom and the other from overseas, had entered into discussions with a view to possibly making an offer. Michael Neville, whose consortium hopes to present a financial package to Ellis within days, is the other main player involved in the talks. Ellis will have an overflowing intray when he returns from holiday in Spain today.