Aston Villa's change of guard is almost complete, after Doug
Ellis officially stepped down as chairman on Tuesday.
Randy Lerner has officially succeeded the octogenarian as chairman
at Villa Park.
A statement on Aston Villa's official website confirmed: "Following
the recommended cash offer for Aston Villa plc ("Aston Villa") made
by Reform Acquisitions Limited on 14 August 2006, Douglas Ellis
OBE, the Executive Chairman of Aston Villa.
"Aston Villa is pleased to announce the appointment of Randolph
Lerner as Chairman."
Lerner is on the verge of completing his takeover of the West
Midlands giants, with the London Stock Exchange announcing on
Tuesday that the American had secured 89.69 percent of Villa's
shares.
When his stake in the club reaches 90 percent then legally he will
be able to buy out the existing 10 percent.
The move signals a momentous day for Villa, with the often
controversial Ellis having served the club in the role of chairman
since 1982.
