Aston Villa boss David O’Leary insists he is delighted with his club’s deadline-day transfer business – despite Nolberto Solano’s return to Newcastle.

Former Birmingham defender Ray Ranson has ended his interest in a takeover of Aston Villa.

Aston Villa fans are calling on chairman Doug Ellis to sell his majority share-holding in the club – or risk losing manager David O’Leary.

Aston Villa’s plc board today announced that it has received a takeover offer, from a party including Ray Ranson, and has turned it down.