Aston Villa finalise sale of club to Chinese businessman Dr Tony Xia

A general view outside the stadium prior to the Barclays Premier League match between Aston Villa and Stoke City at Villa Park on February 21, 2015
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Aston Villa announce that the sale of the club to Dr Tony Xia has been completed after receiving approval from the Football League.

Aston Villa have announced that Dr Tony Xia's takeover of the club has been completed.

The Chinese businessman, who fronts the Recon Group, agreed to buy the club from Randy Lerner in May, but needed to pass the Football League's fit and proper persons' test.

The process with the governing body has now concluded, meaning that Xia can fully complete his acquisition of the newly-demoted Championship outfit.

A statement from Villa read: "Dr Xia has been informed he passed the owners and directors test and following the competition of paperwork today is now the club's new owner and chairman. A new board will be appointed later this week."

Xia completed his first piece of business earlier this month in appointing new manager Roberto Di Matteo.

A general view outside the stadium prior to the Barclays Premier League match between Aston Villa and Stoke City at Villa Park on February 21, 2015
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