Aston Villa have announced that chief executive Tom Fox has decided to step down with immediate effect.The American is blamed by many fans for Villas poor performance in the transfer market.He is the second high-profile departure from the club this week. Sporting director Hendrik Almstadt left on Tuesday after under a year in the role. Chairman Steve Hollis told the clubs website: The Board would like to place on record its appreciation to Tom for his many contributions and commitment over the last 18 months. Remi Gardes men are still bottom of the Premier League While the results this season have been disappointing he and his team have worked hard to put in place many changes necessary to put the club on a more sustainable path for the future. He leaves with our best wishes for the future.Fox joined the club in August 2014 after spending five years as Arsenals chief commercial officer. Fox said: Joining Aston Villa was a huge privilege for me and while Im bitterly disappointed by results this season, watching the club compete at Wembley in the FA Cup final last year is a memory Ill cherish.Im appreciative to the Board and the owner for the opportunity to help put Villa back on a solid footing and able to compete in the most competitive sports league in the world. Aston Villa is a proud and storied club which deserves to be among the elite in Europe and I have every confidence that it will once again find its way back.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 didnt 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.Also See:Garde: Lyon talk disrespectfulGrealish eligible for EnglandGarde ready for the impossibleSporting director leaves VillaCheap Yeezy Free Shipping .ca look back at each of the Top 10 stories of 2013. Today, we look back at Boston Strong - a citys recovery from tragedy. Fake Yeezy China . Vokoun departed practice on Saturday morning after discovering swelling in his thigh. He was taken to a local hospital where the clot was revealed. The club announced the surgery following a 5-3 exhibition loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets. https://www.yeezychina.us/ . LOUIS -- The New Orleans Saints looked like a team playing out the string. Yeezy China . Jon Montgomerys gold medal in skeleton at the Whistler Sliding Centre and his subsequent auctioning off of a pitcher of beer in the village square elevated him to folk-hero status. Fake Yeezy Online . -- Ken Appleby made 32 saves for his first shutout of the season to lead the Oshawa Generals to a 2-0 win over the Belleville Bulls on Wednesday in Ontario Hockey League action.SYDNEY -- That burns a little bit.With that, Adam Scott summed up his 2013 Australian Open implosion at Royal Sydney and showed just how badly he wants to win at the same course this week.The world No.7 is the highest ranked Aussie vying for the Stonehaven Cup, a tournament another local Geoff Ogilvy described as a major for all Australian players.Yet it is even more personal for Scott after he walked up the 18th green at Royal Sydney with a one-shot lead in 2013, only to bogey and open the door for Rory McIlroy.I certainly feel like Id like to get a win here at Royal Sydney after what happened a few years ago - that burns a little bit, Scott said on Wednesday.Also to win the Aussie Open is special, but it would kind of cap off what was a good year but it would make it feel just that bit better because I got another win.Looking back on the 8-iron error that helped open the door for McIlroy, Scott lamented a lack of judgement that saw him miss out on a win that would have completed the Australian Triple Crown.Yeah I just, from memory, obviously the 18th hole stands out and I made an error on the last hole, one I couldnt afford to, Scott said.Its just the way the game goes. If Id just hit a pretty average shot to the front of the green and two-putted, Rory probably doesnt make his putt and I win the tournament. But I just slightly pushed the 8-iron and misjudged the wind, it goes over the green into a tough spot and make a five.And then the doors open for Rory and being such a great player, you know youve got to take those breaks when theyre given to you and he knocks it in. It was a shame because Id had such a great run down here, but maybe a good motivator for me this week to try and get out and do it all again.While McIlroy proved his tormentor in 2013, Scottts main challenge at Royal Sydney this time around will come from world No.dddddddddddd.5, American Jordan Spieth.The 23-year-old two-time major winner has travelled to Australia the last two years, a win in 2014 and runner-up finish in 2015, but he is getting his first look at Royal Sydney this week.Still, Scott wasnt sure whether his extra course knowledge would be a factor this week.Over Jordan? Maybe, Scott said when asked if he had the edge due to his local knowledge.I mean hes such a good player he can figure a course out pretty quickly.I think even though hes young hes already got so much experience, playing everywhere around the world which is I think to his advantage that hes coming out here and playing this event. And in some small way Im sure its going to help him, whether its with an Open Championship or something like that in the future.But the young guys playing around the world I think get so much experience and hes got a very mature head on his shoulders so hell figure it out.But just having played here a fair bit over the years I feel very comfortable and I might have a little bit of an advantage in that sense.While Scott will be the sentimental favourite with the local fans, there is no shortage of other Australian players capable of taking out the Stonehaven Cup. And it will likely be well received, too, given the flailing fortunes of Australias other leading sports teams.Well theres heaps of us playing so the odds are pretty good, Scott said with a smile when asked if he could deliver and Australian victory.Well Jason had a good year again, hes No.1 in the world - hes holding Australian sport high at the moment. ' ' '