Martin O’Neill resigns as Aston Villa manager

Just five days before the start of the Premier League Martin O’Neill has resigned as the manager of Aston Villa, he announced his decision in a joint statement with the chief executive Paul Faulkner on the club website. "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."

The reserve team manager Kevin Macdonald will be taking care of the club during the opening few days of the season.  O’Neill has given no reason for his resignation but has had to deal with constant speculation from the media over the possible sale of the midfielders James Milner and Ashley Young.

When speaking about the possibility of Milner joining Manchester City O’Neill said, "I think losing your best players would obviously cause you a headache. That's a problem, it's a problem because you're trying to build something and something like this happens."

Paul Faulkner went on to say, "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 for the future."

The Chief Executive of the League Managers Association, Richard Bevan said in a statement, "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."