EPL club Aston Villa Owner Randy Lerner this summer "will step down" as Chair "even if he retains ownership of the club," according to Matt Dickinson of the LONDON TIMES. Lerner "still hopes to sell Villa but has already made moves to put a new board in place if no takeover is completed." Lerner said that he "accepts he should have stepped aside several years ago because of work and family commitments" in the U.S. Dickinson notes Lerner has "come under fire from supporters as the team has battled relegation in recent seasons." Lerner said, "I don't disagree with the criticism. And what I should have done several years back was bring in a chairman." Meanwhile, Lerner "believes the retention of top-flight status could accelerate the sale of the club." Dickinson reports talks "are continuing with several parties, including groups backed" from China and the U.S., although reports that a consortium "is close to completing a deal are understood to be wide of the mark." Lerner "insists that he will not sell unless he is happy with both the offer ... and the commitments of the new owners." Lerner said recent sales in the EPL suggest somewhere between US$231-308M "is the likely range." Lerner said that if "no party can complete a swift takeover, and he may set a time limit to ensure readiness for next season, he will stay on as owner" (LONDON TIMES, 5/27).
