Hendrik Almstadt leaves Aston Villa by mutual consent

The 40-year-old was appointed as the club's first-ever sporting director last July but departs after just eight months, with the claret and blues seemingly destined for relegation from the Premier League.

Steve Hollis, Villa's new chairman, has been conducting a review into what has gone wrong.

Villa spent more than £55million on new players last summer, with Almstadt playing a key role in recruitment.

A statement on the club's website read: "Aston Villa can confirm that Sporting Director, Hendrik Almstadt, has left the club by mutual consent with immediate effect.

"As part of the board's continuing assessment of Bodymoor Heath it intends to conduct a thorough recruitment process to find a replacement."