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Billionaire Americans Josh Harris and David Blitzer are looking at a takeover of Aston Villa, according to reports this morning.

The pair, who recently bought ice hockey and basketball franchises, have been scouring England for a football team to buy that will add to their impressive portfolio, and have now turned their attention to the Premier League, according to our sister title The Sunday People.

Harris and Blitzer know Randy Lerner - who put Villa up for sale last month - and have been discussing figures for the past few weeks, with the price falling to around £150 million.

The duo are investment experts and have previously specialised in ‘distressed’ companies.

They have been using leading figures at top clubs for advice about a purchase.

Harris and Blitzer have been behind many success stories, including the American Idol TV show and a leading cruise line.

If the pair decide to take the plunge it will be a big boost for Villa, but could also spell the end for boss Paul Lambert.

Several of Lambert’s top players were promised fresh pay contracts at the end of the season.

Fabian Delph, Gabby Agbonlahor and Ron Vlaar are all due to thrash out new terms as they enter the final year of their deals. But agents have so far hit a brick wall as they have attempted to broker agreements for their clients.

Villa chief executive Paul Faulkner is part of the FA delegation in Brazil and so far Villa have added Joe Cole and Philippe Senderos to their ranks.

Losing key players is a worry with interest from QPR in captain Vlaar, who is a key figure in the dressing room.

The centre-half has grown in stature in his two seasons at Villa and is attracting attention with his displays at the heart of Holland’s defence in the World Cup.

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