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Aston Villa bought by Chinese businessman in £60m deal

Villa confirm that Tony Jiantong Xia will take over the reigns at relegated club with grand ambition to return it to European football

Aston Villa have been taken over by a Chinese investor

The long-awaited takeover of has been rubber-stamped - which leaves both of the city's clubs in Chinese hands.

The relegated club has been sold to the Recon Group in a £60 million deal which will make Tony Jiantong Xia chairman if he gets the green light from footballing authorities.

The takeover was brokered by former Midland KPMG chairman , who and brings an end to the reign of Randy Lerner.

Villa said in a statement: "Dr Xia played football as a striker until he finished at college and football has remained his passion.

"Dr Xia decided to buy an iconic football club in England as the cornerstone of his sports, leisure and tourism division.

"He became a fan of Aston Villa many years ago and is delighted at the opportunity to become the new owner.

"Dr Xia's immediate objective is to return Aston Villa to the Premier League and then to have the club finish in the top six, bringing European football back to He plans to make Aston Villa the most famous football club in China with a huge fan base."

It is thought the deal values the club at about £60 million - roughly the same as Randy Lerner paid for it in 2007.