Villa fans urge Ellis to step down

Aston Villa fans are urging chairman Doug Ellis to relinquish control of the club amid reports that a consortium are preparing to make a £45m takeover bid.

A group of investors, including former Manchester City player Ray Ranson, are understood to be lining up an offer for the under-achieving midlands club in the next 72 hours.

Major shareholder Ellis has constantly knocked back any attempts to buy control of Villa and a £30m bid from a consortium including Ranson was rejected 14 months ago.

But Ellis’ health is now a major factor in whether he can retain his grip on Villa following triple heart by-pass surgery earlier this month.

Supporters groups believe this would be an ideal time for Ellis to walk away - for the sake of his own health and that of Villa who have not automatically qualified for Europe for seven years.

Villa Fans’ Combined (VFC) spokesman Jonathan Fear told the Press Association: “This is an ideal time for Doug Ellis to walk away and save face.

“This is nothing to do with fan pressure and I do hope Doug Ellis now does the best for himself, making sure his health is okay, and also that of the club in allowing a new dynamic group the chance to take Villa forward.

“If the reports about a consortium are correct, then we would need to hear what they have got to offer and that makes it very difficult for us to take a hard and fast position at this stage.

“We would not want to see Aston Villa sold on the cheap. But if there is a worthwhile offer this would be a prime ime for Doug to step aside.

“I am sure any group moving into Aston Villa would be able to give him an honorary position. We hope Doug would go, get himself back to good health for his retirement, and stop holding Villa back.

“If Doug continues, he is leaving the club in limbo and in danger of becoming a mid-table Premiership team season after season – or even lower.”

Ranson made contact with VFC when he made his failed bid in April 2004 and it remains to be seen whether he again opts to sound out the views of supporters before any potential offeris put in for Villa.

Villa were remaining tight-lipped today and any announcement over a takeover bid would have to made via the Stock Exchange.

But a source close to Villa confirmed: “There have been whispers in the last week about an approach being made to take control of Villa and we will have to see what develops.”