Martin O'Neill quits as manager of Aston Villa

Martin O'Neill has resigned as manager of Aston Villa just five days before the start of the Premier League season.

There had been speculation over his future at Villa Park with the impending sale of James Milner and interest in Ashley Young from Premier League rivals.

O'Neill was close to leaving Villa at the end of last season but opted to stay after talks with owner Randy Lerner.
"Aston Villa can confirm that Martin O'Neill has resigned as manager of the football club with immediate effect,'' the club said in a statement.

"Kevin MacDonald, reserve team manager, has assumed the role of caretaker manager and will prepare the team for the opening Premier League game of the season against West Ham on Saturday at Villa Park.''
Martin O'Neill added: "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."

O'Neill took charge of Villa almost four years to the day, replacing Irishman David O'Leary at the helm. Afterguiding the club to 11th in his first season in charge, Villa then finished sixth in each of the following three seasons.

He also led the club to the Carling Cup final last term, where they lost 2-1 to Manchester United, and also the FA Cup semi-finals - only for Chelsea to oust them at Wembley.

But O'Neil's tenure at Villa Park was tainted by poor performances in the second half of the season, which cost them the chance of Champions League football.

O'Neill, who enjoyed successful spells in charge of Leicester City and Celtic before moving to the Midlands, is thought to have grown frustrated with a lack of funds to push the club on to the next level.

That was not helped by the sale of Gareth Barry to Manchester City last summer, and with James Milner almost certain to walk the same path, speculation is rife that a frustration at not being able to strengthen is to blame for O'Neill's departure.

Paul Faulkner, chief executive of Aston Villa, said: "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."

The League Managers' Association released a statement from chief executive Richard Bevan which read: "The LMA shares Martin's disappointment at him leaving Aston Villa. He has achieved great success not just with Villa but throughout his managerial career.

"He is a great example to all aspiring managers having built the foundations in non-league football to then go on to successfully manage at the highest level in the game."

Jonathan Fear, editor of the Villa fans' website Vital Villa, said: "I'm not altogether surprised that Martin has left but I am shocked at the timing. The timing will make it really difficult for the board to get the type of manager we need quickly.

"I thought it had run its course and maybe the end of last season was the time to go. Maybe this could be a good thing for both parties because frustration seemed to be growing.

"But the timing does seem crazy just before the start of the season. I believe the board have got to go for a 'name' to show the ambition is still there.''

Source: ESPN Soccernet

Rafa rues costly errors following Anfield defeat

Rafa Benitez told ESPN that mistakes at 'crucial times' cost Liverpool following a shock 3-1 defeat at the hands of Aston Villa at Anfield.

The Reds found themselves 2-0 down at half-time after an own goal from Lucas Leiva and a header from Curtis Davies, and while Fernando Torres scored after 72 minutes, Steven Gerrard quickly conceded a penalty to allow Ashley Young to score a third.

Liverpool have now lost two of their opening three Premier League games the same amount that they lost in the whole of last season and Benitez was clearly unhappy with a sloppy performance from his side.

"It was a frustrating night because we started well and had our chances,'' he told ESPN. "But we didn't take them, we made one mistake, then in the last minute of the first half another, and when we were on top of them and scored our first goal we made another mistake.

"Important mistakes at crucial times.

"When we scored everything could have been different but there was another mistake and again we needed two goals.''

Reflecting on a first victory of the season for his side, Villa manager Martin O'Neill told ESPN he was 'delighted' with their performance at Anfield.

Villa had started their campaign with defeats at the hands of Wigan and Rapid Vienna but, after securing three points, O'Neill praised his players for what was a resolute display in the face of some sustained second-half pressure from the home side.

"I'm delighted with the performance, I couldn't be more pleased," O'Neill said.

"We put absolutely everything into the game, not just effort but skill and ability.

"We had a sluggish start on the opening day and to come and win here against maybe one of the championship favourites was a terrific effort.

"At 2-0 we seemed in reasonable command of the game, it goes to 2-1 and so we had to react pretty quickly. We got a goal through the penalty - and it was a penalty - and got ourselves back in again. We deserved to win.''

Source: ESPN Soccernet, August 24, 2009

Villa sign defender Beye from Newcastle

Aston Villa have signed defender Habib Beye from Newcastle on a three-year contract, the Premier League club confirmed tonight.

The Senegal international right-back has signed on a three-year deal after arriving for an undisclosed fee from the relegated Magpies.

Beye, 31, follows Stewart Downing and Fabian Delph to Villa Park as their third major summer signing.

Beye told AVTV: "I think Villa is a great football club.

"I was really happy when my agent told me Villa were interested. I just said 'Get it done'. I wanted to sign for this club.

"It's going to be great working for Martin O'Neill because Villa have a great team. I am so proud now to play here.

"It was important for me to stay in the Barclays Premier League and I am really happy I have with Villa.

"Newcastle are a massive club but everybody knows the problems at the moment.

"I think joining Villa is a great step for me. I signed my contract this afternoon and I'm really glad. I now hope I will be successful with Villa."

Source: ESPN Soccernet, 7 August, 2009