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Randy Lerner has brought back his biggest ally, former Gulf War commander General Charles Krulak, as part of the boardroom shake-up at Aston Villa .

While former Manchester City chairman David Bernstein and ex-Villa star Brian Little were brought to the board with great fanfare, little has been said about the Vietnam veteran’s move.

But Krulak, previously a non-executive director, has been made a fully-fledged director, alongside the likes of chairman Steve Hollis and former governor of the Bank of England Mervyn King.

Krulak has been a mysterious figure at Villa Park in recent years. He has been part of the make-up since Randy Lerner’s 2006 takeover, and has worked with the Villa owner for more than 25 years, including at his credit card business MBNA.

In his early days, he served as a go-between linking the board with fans but has been less prominent.

Krulak was installed as a director of Villa’s trading businesses – including Reform Acquisitions, Aston Villa Football Club and Aston Villa ladies – on March 16, the day after Bernstein.

Little, who made 247 appearances for Villa scoring 60 goals, is not a fully-fledged director, but will advise the board.

It is thought he will help with recruitment at Villa after the eight-month reign of sporting director Hendrik Almstadt was brought to an end earlier this week.

The latest move for Krulak, who in recent years has taken two posts at colleges in the US, will ensure Lerner has a trusted ally at the highest echelons of the club at times of major change.

In recent months, finance director Robin Russell and Almstadt have left, with question marks remaining over the future of chief executive Tom Fox.

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