Premier League Executive Chairman Richard Scudamore has paid tribute to Sir Doug Ellis after the former chairman of Aston Villa passed away at the age of 94.
"All of us at the Premier League are very sad to hear of Sir Doug Ellis's passing and send our sincere sympathy to Heidi and his family," said Scudamore.
"Doug was a visionary, a larger-than-life character, and hugely supportive of everything the Premier League was trying to achieve. We will miss him."
Ellis had two spells as chairman of the West Midlands club, the second of which, from 1982 to 2006, included being one of the founding clubs of the Premier League.
After selling the club in 2006, Ellis became life president. He was knighted in 2012 for his services to charity.