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Aston Villa are rumoured to be at the centre of a mystery takeover bid from Azerbaijan.

The club was put up for sale by Randy Lerner last year and sports broadcaster and Villa season ticket holder Jonny Gould claims there is interest from the oil and gas-rich eastern European country.

In an interview with former Villa star Andy Gray, Gould claims a company called Gilan Holdings was involved in a possible bid.

It is not the first rumour of a takeover at Villa, with American billionaire Mark Cuban linked with the club last month.

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Meanwhile, Gray, now working as broadcaster in World Cup 2022 hosts Qatar, tells Gould he has been trying to find a buyer for Villa in the Middle East - with little success.

“I’ve been very anxious to see this thing brought to a settlement,” Gray said. “Randy’s lost his interest, there’s no doubt about that.

“His lost his passion, he’s lost his interest, he’s lost his drive. That’s fine, I understand that. But it’s in limbo the club and it needs to be sold.

“But try as I might to maybe encourage one of the sheikhs to invest his multi millions in Aston Villa, I find it difficult.

“And what I also find difficult is Villa seems not to be an attractive proposition. I don’t get it. When I look around Villa Park I see a magnificent stadium.

“When I look at the training ground I see a fantastic training ground. It’s not like you’re buying a club where you’re going to have to build these things. You’re not.

Look: Andy Gray

“I’m amazed how little interest has been shown in Villa. I don’t know whether the reputation of Villa has dropped over the years and it’s not as attractive? But you and I know the size and potential of this club.

I’m not saying they could be Manchester City or Chelsea, but they could be Tottenham or Everton and these are teams that have been battling for fourth, fifth and sixth for the last seven, eight, nine, 10 years.”

To listen to the full Jonny Gould interview with Andy Gray click here.