Randy Lerner sells Aston Villa to Chinese tycoon

Aston Villa owner Randy Lerner has sold the club to the Chinese Recon Group owned by Tony Jiantong Xia, who will become its new chairman pending Premier League and Football League approval.

Lerner had made no secret of his desire to sell and current chairman Steve Hollis flew to China to complete the deal as soon as Villa’s dismal top-flight campaign was complete.

A club statement read: “Aston Villa Football Club is pleased to announce that an agreement has been signed today for the sale of 100% ownership by Randy Lerner to Recon Group owned by Dr Tony Jiantong Xia subject to the approval of the Premier League and the Football League.