Ellis has been in charge of Villa for more than two decades

The consortium - Irish property developers the Comer Brothers and Michael Neville - have been in talks with Villa for three months.

Last week Villa appointed financial advisors Rothschild to act for them.

"I remain optimistic about our bid. As far as I'm aware we are the only bidder at the moment," Neville told BBC Sport.

Part of Rothschild's role will be to examine whether the consortium - Aston Villa Investments Limited - has the funds to buy the club.