BITS AND BOBS

Last updated : 14 August 2006 By Ed

* Quote from ref Howard Webb in the Indie:

Who was/is the best player you have been lucky enough to watch from the middle?

At the moment it has to be Wayne Rooney - his pace, power and uninhibited style of play make him an extremely exciting player to watch. He must be a nightmare to play against because you're never sure what he's going to do next. For that reason he's not always the easiest of players to referee

* Aston Villa:

Doug Ellis has accepted a bid for his club by American Randy Lerner. The Daily Mail:

American billionaire Randy Lerner is poised to take over Aston Villa after the club announced they had accepted the terms of his offer.

Villa made a statement to the Stock Exchange this morning recommending that shareholders accept the bid from Cleveland Browns owner Lerner, which values the club at £62.6million.

Lerner's takeover will end the long reign of 82-year-old chairman Doug Ellis, who has run the club since 1982 and also had an earlier spell at the helm.

* The News of the World claimed yesterday that Diego Forlan may move to Portsmouth.