By Ryan Ghee
September 2 2005

Former Birmingham and Manchester City defender Ray Ranson has abandoned his plans to take control of Aston Villa after the board rejected a reported £45m offer for the club. Ranson was first linked with a possible bid for Aston Villa Football Club last summer and after pondering over a big-money deal, he finally made an official bid for the club yesterday. However, the Aston Villa board immediately rejected the offer and Ranson has subsequently pulled the plug on the deal altogether.

A statement to the Stock Exchange read, "Mr Ray Ranson confirms that he recently submitted a proposal to the board of Aston Villa plc subject to due diligence.

"Unfortunately the board of Aston Villa plc have decided that the price indicated was inadequate. Mr Ranson has therefore decided not to pursue his interest in making an offer."