Aston Villa's Acorns sponsor deal to end

Aston Villa today confirmed it was expected to end its historic short sponsorship deal with charity Acorns at the end of this season.

But the club insisted it will maintain a strong relationship with the charity.

Children's hospice Acorns, which has facilities in Walsall, Birmingham and Worcester, has been given free promotion on Villa's shirts since 2008.

The deal is believed to be worth millions of pounds in free publicity, but negotiations are ongoing for the club to find a new sponsor.