Tom Fox Resigns as Aston Villa CEO: Latest Details, Comments, and Reaction

Aston Villa chief executive officer Tom Fox resigned from his position at the Midlands club with immediate effect on Thursday.

The club confirmed the news in a statement on their official website. Fox said:

"

Regarding my resignation, the owner made it very clear last summer that he and I would seek to recruit a Board that would put the Club in a stronger position in the event that a sale didn't happen. As the Board has taken shape, however, it has become clear that my role also has changed. While I am supportive of where the Board is trying to take the Club, it is my feeling that given the changes they are making, it makes sense for me to seek another challenge. I have accepted the Board's invitation to remain available during a period of transition to ensure a smooth handover.

"

Chairman Steve Hollis will become the executive chairman on an interim basis until Villa can find a permanent replacement.  

Fox took over from Paul Faulkner in 2014 after a five-year stint as Arsenal's chief commercial officer. Sky Sports News HQ summarised the key facts surrounding his departure:

Sky Sport's Jim White shared the reaction from former chairman Sir Doug Ellis:

Sports journalist Barry O'Mahony noted his departure comes soon after sporting director Hendrik Almstadt's:

Sports writer Freddie Shires believes Fox's spell at Villa Park was ultimately an unsuccessful one:

Journalist Chris Rivers was left unsurprised by his exit:

As noted by James Whaling of the Mirror, owner Randy Lerner has handed director Sir Mervyn King and Hollis "a mandate" to "make sweeping changes," with the club facing almost certain relegation from the Premier League and having been on an overall downward trajectory for several years.

The Guardian's Stuart James recently revealed the damning extent of their club's struggles:

Villa are currently nine points from safety and have lost their last five Premier League matches in a row, so Fox's successor's primary duty is likely to be stabilising the club after a drop down to the Championship.