Takeover talks are on-going between Aston Villa and "credible parties", according to a statement released by the club yesterday.
In a declaration to the Stock Exchange the crisis-hit club revealed that negotiations were being held, although a "formal offer" has not been made.
The announcement, which has been made in the wake of the departure of manager David O'Leary, is the first update to supporters since the bid by the Comer brothers ground to a halt last November.
The statement said: "Shareholders and supporters will be aware that Aston Villa has been in an official Offer Period since September 19 2005, when the AVIL consortium made an initial approach to the company.
"As previously announced, the board appointed Rothschild as an adviser to examine the AVIL proposal and can confirm that there have since been a number of other approaches from various parties, both from the UK and overseas.
"Extensive discussions involving Rothschild, chairman Doug Ellis and credible parties are ongoing and will be fully explored to determine whether a formal offer for the issued share capital of Aston Villa will be forthcoming.
"But there is no certainty that any of these discussions will lead to an offer being made. Shareholders and supporters will be updated in due course."
Ellis, who has a 39 per cent stake in Villa, said he would only sell if the conditions were right for himself and the club.
The statement prompted renewed calls for chairman Doug Ellis to step down immediately to encourage more bids.
Jonathan Fear, chairman of the Aston Villa Shareholders' Association, said: "Doug Ellis's time and era is over.
"It is undignified the way that he has allowed his empire to crumble."
