Aston Villa chief executive Richard Fitzgerald has resigned after only 13 months with the midlands club.

Former Aston Villa and Leeds boss David O’Leary is hoping to return to top-level management.

David Gold has demanded an apology from Aston Villa director general Charles Krulak for his “pig in the mud” attack over comments the Birmingham chairman made about ticket pricing.

Indian billionaire Lakshmi Mittal is remaining tight-lipped regarding his emergence as a possible contender to buy Birmingham.

Aston Villa 2 Charlton 0

MARTIN O’NEILL is to hold talks this week with new Aston Villa owner Randy Lerner, who has now acquired almost 90% of the club’s shares.

The Doug Ellis era at Aston Villa is finally over, with Randy Lerner taking over as chairman.

RANDY LERNER is expected to take complete control of Aston Villa during the next few days.

NEW Aston Villa boss Martin O’Neill is stepping up his efforts to sign Celtic midfielder Stilian Petrov before the Premiership gets underway on August 19.

Randy Lerner is on the brink of completing a 100% buyout of Aston Villa, but he could face a nervous fortnight.

American Randy Lerner has assumed full control at Aston Villa and confirmed today he is approaching the 90% of shares required to force all remaining holders to sell their stock.

Randy Lerner’s proposed takeover of Aston Villa moved a step closer today when it was announced Doug Ellis and Jack Petchey had sold their shares in the club.

MARTIN O’NEILL has changed.

The battle to take control of Aston Villa is expected to intensify in the next few days despite the club showing a £8.2m (€12.2m) pre-tax loss for the year ending May 31, 2006.

New Aston Villa boss Martin O’Neill is stepping up his efforts to sign Celtic midfielder Stilian Petrov before the Premiership campaign gets underway on August 19.

Aston Villa chairman Doug Ellis has confirmed talks are ongoing regarding a possible takeover of the club.

RANDY LERNER is expected to step up his bid to buy Aston Villa in the next 48 hours.

Randy Lerner is expected to step up his bid to buy Aston Villa in the next 48 hours.

Martin O’Neill is relishing the opportunity of trying to recapture former glories for Aston Villa after ending a 15-month break from football to become their new manager.

Martin O’Neill has vowed to bring the glory days back to Aston Villa after being mobbed by supporters on his appointment as David O’Leary’s successor.

Aston Villa have confirmed Martin O’Neill as their new manager.

MARTIN O’NEILL is set to announce today whether he has decided to become Aston Villa’s new manager.

Two of the consortiums interested in buying Aston Villa may join forces to try and win the takeover battle.

RANDY LERNER’S re-emergence as a major contender to buy Aston Villa could pave the way for Martin O’Neill to be appointed manager sooner rather than later.

Martin O’Neill will have to overcome one of the biggest challenges of his distinguished career if, as expected, he is appointed Aston Villa’s new manager.

MARTIN O’NEILL remains the favourite to succeed David O’Leary as Aston Villa manager and could be appointed before any takeover is completed.

American billionaire Randy Lerner has admitted he is “interested to some extent” in the possibility of buying Aston Villa.

AMERICAN billionaire Randy Lerner has admitted his ongoing interest in the possibility of buying Aston Villa, but remains non- committal about whether he will launch a takeover bid.

ASTON VILLA are hoping to revive negotiations with American billionaire Randy Lerner regarding a possible takeover of the midlands club.

Aston Villa shareholders and fans have hit out at chairman Doug Ellis after American billionaire Randy Lerner pulled out of his bid to buy the midlands club.

LIFE-LONG fan Michael Neville’s hopes of his consortium taking control of Aston Villa have been boosted by the apparent withdrawal from the bidding of American billionaire Rady Lerner.

THE consortium fronted by life-long Aston Villa fan Michael Neville have submitted their bid — believed to be worth around £64 million — to buy the midlands club.

Life-long fan Michael Neville’s hopes of his consortium taking control of Aston Villa have been boosted by the apparent withdrawal from the bidding of American billionaire Rady Lerner.

The consortium fronted by lifelong Aston Villa fan Michael Neville have submitted their bid – believed to be worth around £64m (€93.63m) – to buy the midlands club.

American billionaire Randy Lerner’s financial clout seems likely to give him the edge over Birmingham businessman Michael Neville in the race to buy Aston Villa.

MARTIN O’Neill has been tipped to restore Aston Villa to former glories if he replaces David O’Leary as manager by former Leicester midfielder Muzzy Izzet.

Aston Villa chairman Doug Ellis has held initial discussions with American billionaire Randy Lerner over a possible takeover of the club.

CLEVELAND Browns owner Randy Lerner — who is reportedly preparing a takeover of Premiership club Aston Villa — is “exploring” business interests in England, according to the National Football League team.

Billionaire Randy Lerner, who owns the franchise to NFL side Cleveland Browns, is believed to be preparing to enter the race to buy Aston Villa.

Michael Neville is renewing his bid to buy Aston Villa and admitted it would be “fantastic” if Martin O’Neill succeeded David O’Leary as manager.

Brian Little believes he can return to Aston Villa and help provide some much-needed stability after David O’Leary’s exit.

ROY AITKEN is eager to succeed David O’Leary as Aston Villa manager but Alan Curbishley is believed to be chairman Doug Ellis’s number one target.

Aston Villa supporters are calling on chairman Doug Ellis to follow David O’Leary out of the Villa Park door.