Aston Villa shareholders were yesterday urged to back Randy Lerner's takeover bid and return their share documents at the earliest opportunity.

Jonathan Fear, spokesman for Aston Villa Shareholders Association, said fans could hold up the takeover process if they did not act quickly.

He said: "Some fans are going to have sentimental attachment to documents saying that they have some ownership of the club.

"But I would urge them to send them off quickly as it could hold up the entire process." It is expected that shareholders will receive correspondence from Villa Park asking for their views on the takeover. The Villa board has already urged them to back the bid.

Mr Fear added: "It has been our stance for many years that chairman Doug Ellis should step aside and gladly that is now happening.

"It is obvious that the club has gone stale and needs fresh ideas and a dynamic board, we feel that is exactly what Randy Lerner and his team can provide."

Mr Fear said fans' representatives had held talks with officials from the Lerner bid, although they had not been promised a seat on the board.

Three US businessmen and Steve Stride, the current executive director at Villa Park, have already been confirmed as board members.

He added: "It is positive news that they have sought the opinions of the fans and small shareholders and we have been given the opportunity to stress that we are the lifeblood of the club and need to be brought back into the fold and involved. Personally I'm excited at the prospects of not only having the best manager for the job in Martin O'Neill but also a new and dynamic board."

Mr Fear also announced the disbandment of the Villa Fans Combined protest group, which had called for the resignation of the board and the chairman at Villa Park.

He said: "Let's hope the days of protests are well and truly behind us and the club and everyone involved with it can unite and move Aston Villa forward."