Ron Atkinson: Aston Villa should be a top six side

That is the view of former manager Ron Atkinson today as Villa, recoiling from another heavily-criticised campaign, began to view a future without American owner Randy Lerner.

The multi-millionaire has announced plans to seek a buyer for Villa after an eight-year tenure which began in a blaze of investment but has fizzled out in the last four years.

But he said today: "Whoever takes over Villa should know they will be taking on a top, top club. I have never felt anything different about Aston Villa.

"I said recently that the club had become 'insignificant' in recent years and that should never be the case with Villa.

"I have always felt it was one of the biggest clubs in the country with a fabulous stadium, perfect conditions, a great history and a huge fan-base desperate to see it punching its weight again.

"Obviously we will all wait to see now just who the new owner will be but they should know that they are taking on a club with the potential to be in the top six. That is where Aston Villa should always be competing in my view."

Atkinson, who in a three-year spell during the early days of the Premier League finished runners-up to Manchester United in the title race and then beat the same opponents in a memorable 1994 League Cup final, has watched Villa's decline with sadness.

And today former striker Stan Collymore called for fan ownership at Villa Park.

"Villa isn't a plastic club, we're the originals, the club who set the original standards. Maybe it's time Villa fans took the reins," he tweeted.

"Villa should be bought buy its fans."