Takeover still ongoing

He said "Things are progressing. I am expecting significant developments over the coming weeks. The talks are going fine. They are slow but all the good things take time. I would hope that there would be significant movement before Christmas."

This is good news for VFC and many other members of the Villa fanbase who oppose Doug Ellis like a bout of the Black Death.

Despite keeping the club out of debt, a number of mediocre seasons has left us struggling and beginning to lose the sparkle that made Aston Villa such an attractive club a decade ago.

Fingers crossed something can be done by Christmas, but Ellis will be edging towards the side of caution as usual in his bid to make sure Villa stay in safe hands.

Neville said of the ever-popular chairman "I know Doug Ellis. I have met him many times. I think that he wants the best deal for himself and for Aston Villa, and I do not blame him for that after 30-odd years at the club."

Not many Villa fans would agree, but they aren't having to negotiate with him every day, so being political at this stage is probably the best option for Mr Neville.