Former Aston Villa, Birmingham and West Brom manager Ron Saunders has passed away. He was 87.

Saunders managed Aston Villa between 1974 and 1982 and won the First Division title and two League Cups in his time at Villa Park.

He also managed two other Midlands clubs - West Brom and Birmingham City - despite the historic rivalries between the three sides.

His last managerial role was with the Baggies, where he spent the 1986-87 season, before he retired from football.

Following Saunders' death Aston Villa released a statement which read: "It is the sad duty of Aston Villa Football Club to announce that our former manager, Ron Saunders, has passed away at the age of 87.

"He died earlier today, Saturday 7th December, at 3pm and his family have asked for their privacy to be respected at such a difficult time.

"Widely regarded as one of the club's greatest ever managers, he guided Villa to promotion in his first season in charge, lifted two League Cups and steered the club to a league championship in 1980/81."