19 September 2006

Football - Transfer Randy Lerner fully completed his buy-out of Aston Villa by increasing his stakeholding to 89.69% on Tuesday. Lerner's takeover paves the way for a proposed multi-million pound sponsorship deal that would free up around £100 million for new boss Martin O'Neill in January. The American businessman - who also owns NFL side Cleveland Browns - will be entitled to compulsory purchase of the remaining 10% should his sharehold reach 90%.