Paddy Riley axed from recruitment role at Aston Villa
Villa have axed much-maligned head of recruitment Paddy Riley following the arrival of Steve Round as the club's new technical director.
Riley was among those held responsible by supporters for the club's disastrous record in the transfer market, which led to their relegation from the Premier League last season.
And he was today informed his services would no longer be required by Round, who officially began work at Villa Park yesterday.
Riley's position always looked under threat following a summer takeover at Villa Park, with new owner Tony Xia admitting the former Liverpool "had not done a good job".
Part of Round's remit will be to revamp a scouting department which, under Riley, had developed a reputation for persistent failure.
Riley, who had a close relationship with former owner Randy Lerner, is also thought to have clashed with Paul Lambert, Tim Sherwood and Remi Garde and had largely been frozen out following Roberto Di Matteo's appointment as manager earlier this summer.
Villa spent more than £50million on 13 new players during the summer of 2015 but most failed to produce as the club finished bottom of the Premier League last season, winning just three games.
