Aston Villa owner Randy Lerner is in talks with a Swiss-based consortium.

The Telegraph says the Geneva-based fund, named IM 1872, was close to agreeing a takeover with Lerner, Villa's American owner, over the summer only for the discussions to break down after its financial backers unexpectedly pulled out at the last minute.

But the firm, which is one of the main investors in German Bundesliga club Hertha Berlin, is understood to be still scouring the UK Premier League for potential investment opportunities.

It is now believed to be seeking fresh funding in the hope of reviving its bid for Villa, which was put up for sale by Mr Lerner in May last year when the American tycoon announced he felt he could no longer do the job.