LONDON, Oct. 3 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese owners of English championship club Aston Villa parted company Monday with manager Roberto Di Matteo.

He has paid the price for the club's dismal start to life in the Championship, the second rung of football in England.

Owner Dr Tony Xia spent over 64 million U.S. dollars in the summer on new signings with the aim of restoring Villa back to the iconic Premiership.

Saturday's 2-0 defeat at Preston appears to have been the final straw for Xia. It left Aston Villa 15 points behind league leaders Huddersfield, with the club languishing in 19th place, just two points away from the relegation zone.

Aston Villa, based in the Midlands region of England announced the decision in a brief message on the club's official website.

In the statement, the club said: "The club decided to act following a run of disappointing results which has left the team occupying 19th position in the Championship.

"The club would like to place on record its appreciation to Roberto for all his efforts in helping rebuild the squad and wish him well for the future."

Villa announced that Steve Clarke will take over as caretaker manager while a search for a new manager takes place. The club said it would be making no further statement.

Media in the Midlands said the club's statement is a far cry from what new owner Xia said just a few months ago when he secured the services of Italian Di Matteo.

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