Doug Ellis has been assured by the consortium aiming to take control of Aston Villa that they will not asset-strip the club if they move into power.

Chairman and majority shareholder Ellis has finally indicated at the age of 81 that he is willing to sell after more than two decades in charge of Villa.

But he insisted: "I don't want a situation where if someone takes over, they will asset-strip. I want to be confident they are the right people to take the club forward."

Ellis' quotes were not aimed directly at Irish property developers the Comer Brothers and Michael Neville who are looking to purchase Villa for around £64million.

But life-long Villa fan Neville has nevertheless assured Ellis that the consortium would not undertake an asset-stripping policy.

He said: "No consortium I have ever fronted has been involved in asset stripping and I'm not about to start now. As someone who grew up living near the club, I would not move in to Aston Villa and allow that.

"I have seen Mr Ellis' comments and I can tell him that won't be happening if the deal goes through."

Ellis predicted at last month's annual general meeting that he hoped to have concrete news about a takeover within a month and the Comers and Neville are still confident of a positive outcome.

There have still been no face to face talks between the consortium and the Villa board of directors but the Comers and Neville remain optimistic business can be concluded by the festive season.

That would enable Villa manager David O'Leary to be in a position where significant funds would be made available for when the transfer window reopens in January.

The would-be buyers have been encouraged by Ellis finally making public that he would be prepared to sell.