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Premier League: Bottom side Aston Villa appoint new Chairman
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Aston Villa have announced the appointment of Steven Hollis as the Club's new Chairman.
The club are currently bottom of the Premier League and have only won twice in the Premier League all season.
American owner Randy Lerner put the club up for sale last season but there is seemingly no buyer waiting in the wings as it stands.
Commenting on the appointment of Hollis, Lerner said on the club's official website: "That Aston Villa can and should operate in a far more stable and on a far more successful level, both in terms of football as well as commercially, is plainly clear."
"It is similarly clear that this great club has not been on stable footing for at least five years. In May of 2015 I again reiterated my intention to sell the Club or, in the alternative, to shift to a Board governance structure that begins with the appointment of a new Chairman" he continued, looking for someone 'with a proven track record for getting into the thick of troubled organisations' and 'getting results'.
Hollis will work closely with Chief Executive Tom Fox, who has largely been overseeing the running of the club since he was appointed in 2014. He has however drawn criticism from fans for his approach to transfer policy and appointment of managers.
"Tom and Steve have spent time throughout December and early January and will therefore be in a position to work closely and immediately across all areas of the Club." said Lerner.
With Lerner actively looking to sell the club he also clarified that he would let Hollis have control of the club without his involvement, admitting that living in the United States means it would be 'inappropriate' to have deeper involvement in the running of the club.