Funeral held for former Villa chairman Sir Doug Ellis

Football paid its respects at the funeral of former Aston Villa chairman Sir Doug Ellis on Friday.

Ellis, who died last month aged 94, had two spells in charge at Villa Park, firstly from 1968 to 1975 and then between 1982 and 2006, rejoining shortly after Villa’s European Cup win.

Villa won the League Cup three times during his reign – in 1975, 1994 and 1996 – and were runners-up in the inaugural season of the Premier League in 1992-93.

Fans lined the route of the funeral cortege, which drove around the stadium and down Witton Lane past the Sir Doug Ellis Stand, before heading on to a private ceremony at Aston Parish Church from 11am.

The lead car had a small Aston Villa flag on the bonnet, with Ellis’ well-known pale blue Royals Royce, registration plate AV1, following behind.

Former England captain Bryan Robson, who started his career at West Brom before moving to Manchester United and would later return to The Hawthorns as manager, was among those to attend the service.

As part of the Order of Service, former Villa director Tony Hales and broadcaster Nick Owen both paid tribute to Ellis, as did David Dein, former vice-chairman at both Arsenal and of the Football Association.

Knighted in 2012 for charitable services, Ellis is survived by second wife Heidi and his three sons.