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Aston Villa up for sale

London - Aston Villa owner Randy Lerner will stand down as chairman this year if he cannot sell the Premier League club, he said in a British newspaper interview published on Wednesday.

Lerner, who bought Villa in 2006, has been looking to sell the club for just over a year and has come under criticism from supporters over a perceived lack of investment.

Speaking ahead of Villa's appearance against Arsenal in the FA Cup final on Saturday, the 53-year-old American said he would walk away if he fails to find a buyer.

"Last year at this time I had a Plan A, which was to sell, and a Plan B, which was to rethink the club's business management, which has led to the hiring of Tom Fox (as chief executive)," Lerner told the Times.

"This year Plan A remains to find a buyer if on the cards or, Plan B, find a new chairman."

Lerner said the club was valued at between £150 million and £200 million.

He added: "I don't disagree with the criticism. And what I should have done several years back was bring in a chairman.

"Yes, the club remains for sale. But as we've seen, 'Club for sale' does not necessarily mean it will change hands so fast.

"I have had interest from nearly every corner of the globe. Germans, Italians, Americans and Chinese among others have expressed interest in and fondness for the Villa.

"The key of course is to try to put the club in custodial hands that can take the club forward - resources and competence and a willingness to immerse themselves in the local fabric."

Villa sacked manager Paul Lambert in February and avoided relegation by three points under his successor, Tim Sherwood.

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