Aston Villa have announced that Paul Faulkner will step down as chief executive.

Prior to joining Villa, Mr Faulkner had worked closely with the club's chairman Randy Lerner in a variety of capacities within his organisation.

The club said today that, having discussed Mr Faulkner re-engaging with Mr Lerner's broader business while remaining involved with Villa in a non-operational role, agreement could not be reached.

The news comes just a day after Mr Lerner announced no buyer had been found for Villa after the club was placed up for sale in May.

Mr Faulker is said to have left on good terms and offered his support to ensure a smooth transition. He has been chief executive since May 2010 before which he was chief operating officer for two years.

Robin Russell, who was recruited in 2006 as chief financial officer and has a long-standing relationship with Mr Lerner, will take over as acting chief executive to maintain continuity.

Mr Faulkner said: "I would like to thank Randy Lerner for the opportunity to become involved with Aston Villa and for the relationship we built over years which pre-dated my time at the club.

"To the Villa fans, I am grateful for their support over the years and for their passionate love for and loyalty to this great club which deserves the very best.

"I would like to make particular reference to the wonderful Villa staff both at Bodymoor Heath and Villa Park.

"They are an incredible group of people and it's been a privilege to lead and work with them on a daily basis.

"I feel very humbled to have been able to spend such a long period of time amongst such special people at such a special club and I wish them, Paul Lambert and the squad all the very best for the future as I look to embark on the next stage of my career and a new challenge."

The Villa chairman also added: "Paul has been fantastic in his role at Villa and more broadly as a colleague over the years. I offer him my deepest thanks."

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