Lack of ‘common view’ behind O’Neill exit: Lerner

Aston Villa owner Randy Lerner said a lack of a “common view” with Martin O’Neill was behind the former manager’s shock departure from the Midlands club.

O’Neill quit just days before the start of the new English Premier League season after four years at Villa Park on Monday because he wasn’t guaranteed all the money from the expected sale of James Milner to top-flight rivals Manchester City to buy new players.

Lerner, who backed O’Neill in the transfer market for the past three seasons, said at the end of last-term he would prefer a ‘sell-to-buy’ policy.

But the US businessman, who also owns the Cleveland Browns gridiron franchise, is adamant he wants Villa to build on last season’s sixth place finish.

Lerner, in his first public statement since O’Neill’s exit, said he wanted the Milner move resolved and promised to back caretaker manager Kevin MacDonald ahead of Villa’s league opener at home to West Ham on Saturday.

“Having had some time to reflect on Martin leaving, I can say that our most immediate focus is supporting Kevin MacDonald and resolving the situation with Manchester City and James Milner,” Lerner said.

“As for explaining why Martin left, I can say only that we no longer shared a common view as to how to move forward.

“To deal in greater detail would do little but cause additional distraction for the club as it faces imminent games and the clear priority of hiring a permanent manager.

“Finally, there have been no changes in our approach to building the club, aiming always to be as competitive as possible given our size and resources.”

Among the candidates linked with succeeding O’Neill on a permanent basis are former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson, United States coach Bob Bradley, Ajax boss Martin Jol and Germany great Jurgen Klinsmann.