Aston Villa managerial appointment delayed during ownership negotiations

Aston Villa chairman Steve Hollis has assured supporters that negotiations to find a successor to wantaway owner Randy Lerner are still active, and the decision on the next manager is "inextricably linked" to that process.

Related: Lerner takes responsibility for Aston Villa's demise

Lerner's overseeing of the club has been the chief scapegoat for a demise that saw Aston Villa confirm its descent into the Championship in mid-April, and the fallout between the fans and Villa Park hierarchy has made for a "toxic" atmosphere, according to interim manager Eric Black.

"We are in very constructive negotiations which could lead to the sale of the club to a new owner," Hollis insisted on the club website.

"There has been no shortage of parties who would like to own Aston Villa but our negotiations are now with those parties that we believe will have the passion and ambition to return the club to winning the highest honours in European football.

"The appointment of the manager is at this time inextricably linked to the current negotiations."

The club website also confirmed there would be no annual lap of appreciation after Villa's last home match of the season Saturday against Newcastle United. The team stated the only positive for a dire season were the outfits' supporters.