Aston Villa owner Tony Xia has warmed himself to the fanbase since the summer of 2016.

The Chinese businessman has now revealed plans to build a new stadium for the Midlands outfit once they return to the elite stage.

The club dropped into the second tier of English football at the end of the 2015-16 campaign after winning just three of their 38 Premier League matches.

The Villans struggled to launch a promotion bid in their first season in the Championship as they ended up finishing 13th in the standings.

In the current campaign, though, they are on course for the playoffs as they sit fourth in the table five points adrift of second-placed Cardiff City and nine behind leaders Wolverhampton Wanderers.

In an interview with Villa's official website, Xia spoke in depth about his future plans for the club, which includes a new stadium.

"We have very big plans for Villa Park. We finished a plan in China a few weeks ago. We handed it to the management team here. It’s fair to say they were shocked.

“It will be something really different from what we can imagine from other clubs. One element will involve the North Stand, which I know people talk about a lot.

“The main point I want to make is it will have a very modern style but will definitely keep the historic feel, which is very important. But in terms of the whole plan? I am confident people will like it. People who have seen the plan love the plan.”

Villa Park has been the home of the Birmingham-based outfit since 1897.

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