Aston Villa chief executive Keith Wyness has launched legal action against the club and is suing for constructive dismissal, according to a report.

The 60-year-old was suspended by Villa owner Dr Tony Xia on Tuesday but is now believed to have left the Championship outfit.

Wyness, who was previously chief executive at Everton and Aberdeen, was hired by Xia in June 2016 after he bought the club from Randy Lerner for £76m.

However, their relationship is believed to have been strained since the start of last season due to the club's purported worsening financial situation and increasing expenses.

According to The Telegraph, Wyness is suing Villa in a court case which could cost the club up to £6m, and there may also be legal action taken against two members of staff, chief commercial offer Luke Organ and executive assistant Rongtian He.

Last week, Xia secured the cash required to pay an overdue tax bill and stave off the threat of a winding-up order from HMRC.