Lerner chasing new sponsors

New Aston Villa owner Randy Lerner is hoping to tie up a multi-million pound sponsorship deal for the midlands club which could come to fruition in time for the January transfer window.

Sources close to the American billionaire indicate he has wasted no time in pressing ahead with plans to put together a massive financial package – possibly worth as much as £100m (€148m) – alongside his own personal investment in Villa.