Aston Villa will explore safe-standing issue

While responding to questions from supporters on social media, Xia confirmed the issue is one which will be discussed "seriously" in the weeks and months ahead.

Celtic recently became the first club in Britain to introduce a safe-standing area with the introduction of 3,000 rail-seats.

Asked if he could "get the ball-rolling" to make Villa Park's Holte End safe-standing, Xia replied: "It is a question asked several times. We will discuss it seriously."

Villa previously looked at the possibility of having a safe-standing area back in 2012, with a corner of the ground even ear-marked as a potential "test area."

The project was effectively shelved, however, following the departure of chief executive Paul Faulkner in 2014.

Safe-standing has long been campaigned for by the Football Supporters' Federation, who want to see a change to the legislation introduced during the 1990s.

It outlawed standing in the top two divisions following Lord Justice Taylor's report into the Hillsborough disaster.

Villa are far from the only club to have looked into the issue. Wolves last year revealed their intention to send a delegation to Celtic Park to assess the changes made first-hand.

Rudy Gestede second-half goal earned Villa victory over Nantes in France on Saturday to maintain their unbeaten pre-season.

It followed wins over GAK Graz, Telford, Worcester and a draw at Bristol Rovers, when Nathan Baker headed back a Jack Grealish corner for Gestede to finish well.

New signings Tommy Elphick and Pierluigi Gollini got 90-minute run-outs, while fellow new recruit Aaron Tshibola came off the bench at the break.