Doug Ellis's grip on Aston Villa loosened slightly yesterday when the chairman confirmed that the club has been the subject of a "preliminary approach" from an Irish consortium.
But the chairman has vowed to supporters that any potential new owners must have the financial muscle to carry the club forward, otherwise no sale will take place.
Villa issued a statement to the London Stock Exchange confirming that Michael Neville, a Dorwichbased businessman, was fronting the bid on behalf of a consortium.
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While previous takeover bids have failed, the #64 million move by Comer Homes Group, a property company, seems the likeliest to succeed so far.
The Irish-based company are set to have a meeting with Ellis and the board this week.
Ellis and Jack Petchey, the second-largest shareholder, are understood to have agreed to sell their combined stake of 58 per cent and the bid of #5.60 a share will be put to the shareholders in the next few weeks.
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