Ray Ranson plans to capitalise on Doug Ellis's recent health scare by persuading Aston Villa's 81-yearold-chairman to sell his 38 per cent stake in the club.

Ranson, who played for Birmingham City before becoming a successful businessman, has not given up on his aspirations to buy Villa despite having a £33 million bid for the club rejected by Ellis 14 months ago.

However, with Ellis recuperating in hospital following a triple heart bypass operation, Ranson believes Villa's chairman may finally be willing to relinquish his stranglehold on the club by accepting a £45 million bid for the club.

Due to stock market regulations, Ranson is not allowed to make his intentions public but last night a source close to the businessman outlined his position.

The source said: "Mr Ranson has always been open about his potential interest in making an offer for Aston Villa and he is continuing to consider all options in this regard. There can be no assurance that any offer will be made but he has been watching developments closely at the club recently.

"Doug Ellis's problems have been well-documented and the feeling is his stance towards a new offer may have softened."

In Ellis's absence, the Villa board will discuss Ranson's latest offer if, as expected, they formally receive a bid in the next week.

Ellis values Villa at £60 million but it is understood the remainder of the board would listen to Ranson's proposals.

If the directors, who include Ellis's son Peter, agree that Ranson's offer benefited shareholders, they would recommend Villa be sold. But the decision would still be down to Ellis, who has run the club since 1968 when it was on the edge of bankruptcy.