Purslow steps down as Aston Villa chief executive

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Aston Villa have announced Christian Purslow is to step down from his position as chief executive and director of the club.

Purslow, 59, was appointed in 2018 following commercial successes at both Liverpool and Chelsea.

Purslow said it had been a “total privilege” to lead Villa for the last five years.

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In a statement, he added: “I am proud that I leave the club in a much better position on and off the pitch than when I arrived.

“We are re-established in the Premier League – we now have a very competitive professional women’s team, we have outstanding academies for boys and girls.

“We have created a world-class training ground and secured planning permission for an expansion and modernisation of our wonderful stadium.

“Thank you to everyone at Villa and our supporters who have made my time here so enjoyable.”

Purslow was appointed shortly after Aston Villa owners Wes Edens and Nassef Sawiris took control of the club. They said Purslow had “delivered the ambitious turnaround plan” he presented to the club five years ago.

“We are grateful for all he has done,” the two businessmen added.

In May, Barcelona’s director of football Mateu Alemany decided against joining Aston Villa, announcing he would stay at the Nou Camp instead.

And the club have been linked with a move for Sevilla’s sporting director Monchi, who has previously worked with Emery.

Villa finished the 2022-23 Premier League season seventh in the table and secured a spot in the play-offs for the Europa Conference League.