U.S. billionaire Randy Lerner’s on-again, off-again takeover of Aston Villa is now on-againpermanently. This morning Villa announced on the London Stock Exchange that shareholders accepted a bid from the Cleveland Browns owner to take over the club for approximately $120 million. That ends the 20-plus year reign of 82-year old Villa chairman Doug Ellis. A number of groups had been in the running to take over the club, after Ellis announced his intention to sell his 39 percent stake. Lerner immediately stated his Abramovich-like intentions for the Birmingham club: “It is my belief and the basis for my bid to acquire Aston Villa Football club that it can compete at the highest level within the Premiership and in Europe.” In recent seasons, Villa’s form has been middling at best. Last season the club finished a disappointing 16th. During his time as chairman, Ellis earned the nickname “Deadly Doug” for his reputation for sacking coaches. He worked with 14, the latest of which is Martin O’Neill, in his 24 years running the club.