Doug Ellis: Randy Lerner was right man for Aston Villa

Doug Ellis today insisted he was right to sell to Randy Lerner – despite the American putting Villa on the market.

The former claret and blues owner is convinced Lerner was the right man for the job when he bought Villa in 2006.

But, despite Lerner shelling out over £200m in eight years, Villa have battled relegation for the past three seasons. Lerner paid £62.6m for Villa to end Ellis' reign as owner and the 90-year-old believes it was the correct move.

"I'm still convinced that my choice of sale was the right one," said the life president this afternoon.

"When I sold to Randy Lerner on the shake of a hand, nothing in writing, we made a deal. I left some money in and then he put in £100m.

"He enhanced the whole club and many other things at the ground and at the training ground.

"I believe that although I had the choice of five different predators from the time I said I would be prepared to sell the club, I chose Randy for a very good reason.

"He's a good man, he kept his word to me and I kept my promise that I would not interfere."

The club have no buyer lined-up and there is no timeframe for a sale with Lerner having instructed Bank of America Merrill Lynch to find a new owner.

And the next owner will be taking over a club which still carries top six potential in the Premier League, according to former boss Ron Atkinson.

He said: "Whoever takes over Villa should know they will be taking on a top, top club. I have never felt anything different about Aston Villa.

"I said recently that the club had become 'insignificant' in recent years and that should never be the case with Villa.

"I have always felt it was one of the biggest clubs in the country with a fabulous stadium, perfect conditions, a great history and a huge fan base desperate to see it punching its weight again."

"Obviously we will all wait to see now just who the new owner will be but they should know that they are taking on a club with the potential to be in the top six. That is where Aston Villa should always be competing in my view."