Eriksson's agent 'in Villa talks'

Sven-Goran Eriksson's agent Athole Still is reportedly part of a consortium keen on buying Aston Villa.

Still held talks with Villa officials on Wednesday, after local businessman Michael Neville tabled a bid of about £64m for the Premiership outfit.

Neville says he has lined up a manager should he win control of the club, expected to be Martin O'Neill.

American billionnaire Randy Lerner has pulled out of the running but a group of Arab businessmen are interested.

Eriksson is Still's most high-profile client and the two were caught in a tabloid sting in January when they held discussions with an undercover reporter, posing as a Sheik, in Dubai.

The News of the World published Eriksson's revelations, including that he would consider becoming manager of Aston Villa if there was a takeover of the club.

Just eight days later, Eriksson agreed he would leave the England job at the end of the World Cup.

Lerner pulled out of the race on Wednesday after his talks with Villa chairman Doug Ellis.

Lerner, 44, the owner of NFL outfit Cleveland Browns, was reportedly angry with the way Ellis handled talks.

It is understood Ellis refused to meet Lerner one-to-one, then told him he wants to remain in charge at Villa.

BBC Five Live Sport's Pat Murphy said: "It would be a major surprise if Mr Lerner came back to the negotiating table, but there are at least three other groups seriously interested.

"But I'm told a group of Arab businessmen based in Dubai are keen on Villa and Still has been seen at Villa Park too.

"Doug Ellis' attitude to any potential deal remains crucial. If he's not onside Villa will continue to fester.

"His 38.9% stake means he has the final say.

"I understand he played hardball with Lerner on Wednesday, believing he still has a key role to play in Villa's future, a view that didn't chime well with Mr Lerner."

A separate consortium led by lifelong fan Michael Neville had earlier submitted a £64m bid for the club.

Solihull businessman Neville bid unsuccessfully when Ellis put the club up for sale last season but has since assembled new backers to enable him to make a concrete offer.

Neville said the breakdown in talks between Lerner and Ellis had not put him off meeting the Villa chairman in the near future.

I want to make this club great again Michael Neville

He told Five Live: "I think with any bid that is tabled, following on from that there has to be a very sensible conversation with Mr Ellis and the board.

"I don't know why this one has gone wrong - I am looking forward to talking to Mr Ellis in the next day or two.

"If Mr Lerner has withdrawn his bid, then I am not sure whether it helps or hinders us. Our bid is either competitive and attractive in its own right or it's not."

Aston Villa has confirmed it has received "a number of indicative offers" to buy the club and in a statement to the London Stock Exchange, the Villa board said it "will be appraising these" and "will update shareholders and supporters when appropriate".

Ellis, who has a 39% controlling stake in Villa, returned from holiday in Spain on Tuesday and is believed to be ready to explore options to sell the club.

It is understood the 82-year-old has been told by Neville he will still have a role to play at Villa.

Neville is hoping that his Birmingham connections will win over Ellis and the present Aston Villa board.

"I grew up in Erdington and Aston. I understand the area, the supporters and the culture. "The fans are the lifeblood of any football club so I would want a very close collaboration with them.

"I am a local boy and I have the best interests of the club at heart - for the long term. I want to invest in the players and the stadium.

"I want to make this club great again, Aston Villa should not be where it is."