Aston Villa eye Roberto Di Matteo after Chinese takeover

Aston Villa are expected to step up their move for Roberto Di Matteo after Chinese businessman Tony Xia completed his takeover. Villa confirmed in a statement that former owner Randy Lerner’s reign had finally come to a close following the deal with Xia’s Recon Group.

A club statement read: “Aston Villa Football Club is pleased to announce 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 and the Football League.”

Xia has reportedly already been in contact with representatives of former West Brom and Chelsea boss Di Matteo over taking up the role vacated by Remi Garde - although other contenders remain in the frame. In the statement Villa said Xia developed his love of the game after playing as a striker whilst at college - and he had become a fan of Villa “many years ago”.