Villa fans demand EGM after supremo resigns

Aston Villa fans are demanding an EGM be called to probe the shock resignation of chief executive Bruce Langham.

Villa Fans Combined (VFC) believe that “the wrong man has left Villa Park” after Langham opted to quit just 12 months after taking over the role which Doug Ellis had previously combined with that of chairman.

Langham has been full of optimism in recent weeks about the future after devising a three-year plan aimed at taking the club forward which included investment in the squad and upgrading facilities at the Bodymoor Heath training complex to attract the best young talent.

But he has decided to go because of what was described by a club spokesman as “a difference of opinion over the strategy of the way the club is going forward”.

That has left Villa fans firmly pointing the figure at Ellis although Langham has made no comment to date as to the precise reasons for him leaving the Midlands outfit.

VFC spokesman Jonathan Fear said: “It appears that once again turmoil reigns at Villa Park just at the stage when the club should be concentrating on bringing in top signings.

“Again the wrong man has left Villa Park. You have to wonder how many decent and capable members of staff will be forced out before Mr Ellis, 82 years old, finally leaves.

“At the moment there is all sorts of speculation as to why Bruce Langham has left but reading behind the lines is not difficult when a club spokesman says ‘The decision of Mr Langham is the result of a difference of opinion over the strategy of the way the club is going forward’.

“VFC wish Mr Langham all the very best and thank him for at least attempting to bring about a three-year plan.

“We also very much hope that he will make public the reasons for leaving and explain what it is like trying to work at a club with one man making all the decisions.

“We now certainly fear for the future of the plan which had convinced fans that the club was finally moving forward and hope that the manager does not find his position as untenable as the chief executive obviously did.”

Fear added: “It is very difficult to take a position when the full facts are not known but we would certainly call on the rest of the board – if the reason for Mr Langham leaving was that his plans were blocked – to have the same dignity and honesty that he did and resign en masse.

“It may well take a bold move like this to finally rid Aston Villa of this dictatorial chairman. It is obvious that Mr Ellis is no longer capable of running a plc and that he is totally incapable of holding on to quality staff on the board, within the company or team managers and players.

“Mr Ellis has taken us from European Champions to a shambles. An EGM should be called to resolve this situation before Villa slide even further into mediocrity. With a man of 82 and failing capabilities at the helm it appears Villa are a rudderless ship.”