Ellis 'back in two weeks'

Aston Villa chairman Doug Ellis has set his sights on returning to his post in a fortnight after undergoing triple heart bypass surgery at the age of 81.

Ellis had the operation in early June and predictions that he would be back at work around the start of the new Premiership campaign have proved correct.

Villa’s major shareholder said: “I’m feeling much better now and I am looking forward to getting back. My voice is a little weak but apart from that everything is fine. I expect to be back at the office in two weeks.”

Operations director Steve Stride has been at the helm during the summer with chief executive Bruce Langham having resigned shortly before Ellis went into hospital in early June.