Ex-FA executive leaves Aston Villa role

London (AFP) – Former Football Association executive Adrian Bevington has left his advisory post at Aston Villa, the relegated Premier League club announced on Tuesday.

Bevington joined Villa in March to review and evaluate the managerial position and playing staff at the ailing Midlands club, who finished the season at the foot of the table with just 17 points.

His departure follows those of ex-FA chairman David Bernstein and Mervyn King, former governor of the Bank of England, who left last month after saying their new football board had been unable to enact vital reforms.

“I explained to (chairman) Steve Hollis a few weeks ago that I would not be looking to take on a full-time role with the club, but agreed to remain as an advisor until the end of the season,” Bevington told the club website.

“There is a huge amount of work ahead for Aston Villa FC. A club of its size with its great support should be competing at the higher levels of the Premier League, not in the position it currently finds itself.

“To move forward, now more than ever, it is crucial the club makes the right calls on the big decisions it is faced with.”

Villa were relegated from the English top flight for the first time since 1987.

The club sacked two managers over the course of the season — Tim Sherwood and Remi Garde — with Eric Black taking over in a caretaker role.

American owner Randy Lerner is reported to be close to agreeing the sale of the club.