More upheaval at Aston Villa as a further big name exits the club

RELEGATED Aston Villa has lost another of the consultants drafted in to help restructure the club’s woeful on-field performance and appoint a new manager.

The club issued a statement today saying Adrian Bevington had opted to leave his advisory position at Villa Park.

His resignation comes just a month after high profile directors David Bernstein and Mervyn King walked away from the club after just weeks in office.

Bevington had initially joined the club in March to review and evaluate the managerial position and its playing staff.

In the statement, Bevington said: “I explained to Steve Hollis a few weeks ago that I would not be looking to take on a full-time role with the club, but agreed to remain as an advisor until the end of the season.

“I know how hard Steve is working on a number of levels and I hope he can conclude the ownership and managerial positions very soon.

“I have enjoyed working with Steve and Brian Little – a man who clearly cares so much for the club and will do everything he can to help it succeed.”

His departure comes amid fresh speculation that a deal to sell the club is imminent, with a Far East consortium thought to be in pole position for the takeover.

Relegation has devalued the club and the market price is being speculated at anything between £60m (ironically what Randy Lerner paid for the club in the first place) up to £75m. Both a long way short of the £100m Lerner was hoping for.

There is also a surprise new candidate for the vacant manager’s position with former Chelsea boss Roberto Di Matteo’s emerging as a possible successor to Remi Garde.

Fans may find it difficult to accept a former West Brom boss as their new man but a precedent has already been set so far as local rivalry in concerned when the club took on Blues ex-boss Alex McLeish.

Bevington added: “There is a huge amount of work ahead for Aston Villa. A club of its size with its great support should be competing at the higher levels of the Premier League, not in the position it currently finds itself,” he added.

“To move forward, now more than ever, it is crucial the club makes the right calls on the big decisions it is faced with.”

Steve Hollis, the club’s executive chairman, said: “I’d like to place on record my thanks to Adrian for his contribution and professionalism.

“Over a short period of time, he has provided a great deal of football knowledge and experience – both to the club and to me personally.

“Adrian gave me his word he would remain with the club until the end of the season. Now that time has come we wish him well for the future with his various football commitments.”

Where it leaves the club remains to be seen.

It is still without a buyer despite reports of interest in China and must now face the summer without a manager and the prospect of playing in the Championship next season – along with the reduced revenue that entails.

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