Aston Villa Manager Quits

Martin O'Neill resigned today
(uploaded by dalli58 on flickr)

Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill has resigned less than a week before the start of the season. The resignation will take immediate effect. The reason why O'Neill has quit is not yet clear. It may be because of the expected sale of young star player James Milner to Manchester City.

This is an incredible shakeup at Villa. This is a team who has finished 6th the last three seasons under Martin O'Neill. Kevin MacDonald has been named caretaker manager for Villa in the meantime.

Here is a O'Neill about his time at Aston Villa (all quotes acquired from skysports.com): "I have enjoyed my time at Aston Villa immensely.

"It's obviously a wrench to be leaving such a magnificent club. I would like to pay tribute to the Villa players, my coaching staff and the Villa supporters for all the support and encouragement they have given both the club and me personally during my time as manager.

"I wish them all the best for the future. I will obviously be assisting the club in the immediate short-term with regard to the handover of my duties."

Here is Paul Faulkner, chief executive of Villa: "The club would like to thank Martin for the great work he has done at Aston Villa over the past four years.

"He has helped to establish the club in the upper echelons of the Premier League, has taken us to Wembley and we have also qualified for European competition for the past three seasons under his management. We wish him the best in the future."

Another statement released from the club said, "No further comment will be made by either Aston Villa or Martin O'Neill until further notice."

It is likely that O'Neill disagreed with head management over the clubs future regarding personnel decision. O'Neill set a goal to break into the top four, and was not happy when Villa sold Gareth Barry. Whatever the reason, Aston Villa have to get things together before the weekend if they wish to have a successful season.