by Simon Page BBC News Online England

The League title last came to Villa Park in 1981

One of England's leading football clubs could be facing a takeover bid from its own fans.

Aston Villa supporters want to raise funds to make an offer for the shareholding of chairman and chief executive Doug Ellis.

Last season, Aston Villa finished a lowly sixteenth in the Premiership, which added to the frustration of fans who complain the club has underachieved since winning the European Cup in 1982.

In April, some of those supporters formed a group called Villa Fans Combined (VFC), with the stated aim of bringing about a "root and branch change" in the club's boardroom.

VFC commissioned businessman Howard Hodgson to prepare a report on the workings of the club, which he presented to a meeting of VFC supporters on Saturday.

If we could combine a section of the existing supporter-shareholders with a buyout of some of Mr Ellis' holding, there could be quite a change at the club Howard Hodgson

Mr Hodgson told BBC News Online: "I've always understood the fans' frustration and their calls for the board to go, but I equally see that this is not only not achievable but also quite unfair on the board.

"You can't just expect the board to go - unless it is an Enron type situation, which this isn't - and the board is unlikely to be removed lock, stock and barrel."

Aston Villa directors have offered to meet with VFC and Mr Hodgson sees two aims for that meeting.

"First, to try and persuade the board to seriously consider supporting the nomination of a supporters representative as a non-executive director.

"Secondly, over time supporters would like to purchase shares from Mr Ellis.

"These shares would be held by a 'corporation' of supporters so the fans are in a position to have a larger say in how the club is run."

'No better alternative'

However, Mr Hodgson has warned fans that gaining a seat on the board will not be easy.

"There is already the Aston Villa Supporters' Trust which has started down this path and has looked at how it has operated at other clubs.

"Trying to get all the supporters moving in the same direction and putting their hands in their pockets is not an easy thing to achieve.

Aston Villa Directors Doug Ellis (pictured) Chairman, chief executive, largest shareholder Mark Ansell Deputy chief executive, finance director Steven Stride Operations director Anthony Hales Non-executive director Peter Ellis Non-executive director David Owen Non-executive director

"But there is no better alternative because if the supporters don't attempt to get a block of shares, it means eventually that Mr Ellis will be replaced by another Mr Ellis - one man in control.

"Ideally, if we could combine a section of the existing supporter-shareholders with a buyout of some of Mr Ellis' holding, there could be quite a change at the club."

Mr Hodgson added: "What the VFC meetings and the report have shown is how many clever people there are out there.

"We've been approached by a corporate lawyer and a corporate finance expert who have offered their services free of charge. We are getting quite a strong political team together.

"In the past there has been too much arguing among the various supporters groups when unity is required.

"I don't want an organisation like the Supporters' Trust to think it is not a part of this because we would welcome its participation."

Although Villa fans have long campaigned for the entire board to resign, Mr Hodgson believes there should be a more democratic board and ownership, but with Doug Ellis becoming a non-executive chairman and other directors staying at the club.

"You have to be objective rather than just say the board must go, because short of a 1917 style Soviet revolution that is not going to be achieved.

"Change has to be in co-operation with the board and if people aren't prepared to do that then they are not really going to get anywhere."

Aston Villa declined to comment to BBC News Online, however a director did confirm an offer of a meeting with VFC had been issued.