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Tony Xia is in talks to buy ANOTHER football club as he waits for his Aston Villa takeover to be approved.

The claret and blues new owner-in-waiting has discussed the possibility of purchasing a franchise in the Chinese Super League that will eventually have strong links with Villa.

The Birmingham Mail also understands that Xia harbours ambitions of running clubs in the United States and India after watching the success of City Football Group - the holding company that oversees Manchester City and three other closely-linked clubs in Australia, Japan and the U.S.

MORE: Villa fans react to Tony Xia plans to buy another club

Xia, a Chinese millionaire, refuses to reveal his personal wealth but already he has shown both the Premier League and Football League part of his staggering fortune.

Below: Gregg Evans on Tony Xia searching for new clubs revelations

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By next week he hopes his first acquisition will be ratified and then he can start to make Villa the cornerstone of his football operations.

The history and tradition in B6 is what attracted him to the Midlands and the long-term aim is to build an international network of teams based on the Villa brand.

It’s too soon to know whether the recently-relegated club will ever achieve global brand domination but Xia is certainly not afraid to give it a go.

MORE: Villa fans split on Roberto Di Matteo as manager

Man City have sister clubs New York City, Melbourne City and Yokohama F Marinos and that’s the model the Asian businessman wants to copy.

The need for an immediate return to the Premier League is of paramount importance, though, which is why next season’s Championship campaign is vital.

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Roberto Di Matteo looks set to be the man tasked with leading the club back to the big-time as his appointment edges closer.

Yesterday the Italian met with departing chairman Steve Hollis to discuss the role and will be offered the vacant post before the weekend.

Xia and his team of advisors are engaged day and night with Hollis and they’re also thought to have provided the leagues with all the information they require ahead of the Owners and Directors’ Test.

Further ambitious plans for Villa include setting up links to feeder clubs on the continent to help attract the best young talent in the world.

His team of advisors have discussed the need to improve the international network in order for that to happen and will press on once the takeover is complete.

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Time is of the essence and Xia is now waiting for approval before beginning his ambitious plans.

It’s thought that he will know whether his takeover is successful by the end of next week at the latest, although he’s hoping it is wrapped up before then.