Mystery bidder exclusive to £150m Villa deal

Owner Randy Lerner could complete the £150 million sale of Aston Villa within weeks after it was claimed a mystery bidder has been granted exclusivity.

The American has been hoping to sell the club for the past year and it is reported an interested party has now entered the final stages of due diligence, aiming to complete the deal by next month.

Three consortiums have been in negotiations, including one involving former Chelsea executive Paul Smith.

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It's not clear at this stage whether Smith's party is the one in the frame, with non-disclosure agreements ensuring names are kept out of the public domain.

But Tim Sherwood is likely to remain as manager. The Villa boss began his summer overhaul by offering a new contract to defender Ron Vlaar, while club-record signing Darren Bent has joined Derby County.

Sherwood has made clear his desire to retain Vlaar's services.

The Dutch international's current deal expires at the end of the month and it is understood the 30-year-old has requested more time to decide his future.

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For much of the season, it appeared the defender would leave the club he joined from Feyenoord for £3.2m in 2012.

But Sherwood's arrival as manager changed matters and Vlaar admitted after April's FA Cup semi-final win over Liverpool he would consider staying, despite having lost the captain's armband to Fabian Delph.

Bent's exit was more straightforward, the striker having fallen out of favour under previous chief Paul Lambert.

The 31-year-old, a £24million signing from Sunderland by Gerard Houllier in January 2011, scored 12 goals in 13 games at the IPro Stadium while on loan at the end of the season.