Aston Villa owner claims responsibility for club's decline

London, April 22: Aston Villa owner, American tycoon Randy Lerner, said on Friday that he is responsible for the club's relegation to the Championship, the second tier of English club football.

In a statement posted on the Villa website, Lerner, 54, reiterated his desire to sell the English Premier League (EPL) club, reports Efe.

"I can say certainly in good faith that I have tried to sell since my May 2014 announcement and put our beloved club in better suited hands -- but that hasn't happened.

"I write to Villa supporters to make clear that this relegation lies at my feet and no one else," Lerner acknowledged.

"I will continue to try to put the club into worthy hands as I have, and also do my best to position Villa for the quickest possible return to its rightful place among England's elite," said the New York billioire.

Villa, which this season has replaced two coaches, English Tim Sherwood and French Remi Garde, has a poor record of three wins, seven draws and 24 defeats in 34 league games played. IANS