Aston Villa’s pre-season was thrown into disarray by the departure of manager Martin O’Neill just five days before the big kick-off.

But Villa still managed to get off to a winning start under popular caretaker boss Kevin MacDonald with a 3-0 triumph over West Ham at Villa Park last Saturday.

And an understrength team drew 1-1 at Rapid Vienna in their Europa League play-off first leg.

The club’s future is also a little clearer after the eventual departure of England international midfielder James Milner to big-spending Manchester City, with City midfielder Stephen Ireland making the return trip as part of the deal.

O’Neill and American owner Randy Lerner had a long-running dispute over the future spending strategy at Villa Park.

 

O’Neill guided Villa to consecutive sixth place EPL finishes and Europa League qualification.

But Lerner had supplied considerable transfer funds and admitted after O’Neill’s departure that he and O’Neill “no longer shared a common view as to how to move forward.”

The catalyst was reportedly the funds expected from Milner’s departure, which Lerner insisted had to be brought in before he could sanction any further squad spending.

Lerner’s “right-hand man”, General Charles C. Krulak, was more forthright in his views. He said: “No one person is bigger than our club. Not me, not Randy, not Chief Executive Paul Faulkner, not Martin. Apparently only three of us understood that.

“There is no question that he did a fine job. Martin was absolutely supported by the owner. All one needs to do is look at the money spent.

“But the reality is the wage-to-revenue was not addressed and apparently Martin was unwilling to help address it. He knew full well he had to bring wages into line with revenue – the same as every Premiership (sic) club.”

O’Neill said: “I have enjoyed my time at Aston Villa immensely. It’s obviously a wrench to be leaving such a magnificent club.”

The long-running James Milner transfer saga came to a satisfactory end this week when the 24-year-old finally moved to Eastlands as part of a deal worth £26m, although it is unclear what Milner’s actual transfer fee is.

Ireland, who was City’s player of the season as recently as 2008/09, will make his Villa debut when they visit Newcastle United in the EPL on Sunday.

He is eager to re-ignite his career and commented: “I want to get back playing at the top of my game. I haven’t played ninety minutes for eight months, which isn’t normal for me.”

MacDonald, who will take Villa to St James’s Park, said: “It is sad to see James go but it is a great boost for the club that Stephen is joining. He is a very gifted, inventive player and he links up play probably more than James in many ways.”

Villa have insisted that they will take their time over the appointment of O’Neill’s successor. MacDonald claimed: “I still haven’t particularly thought about it,” adding that he would have to speak to his family about any decision.