Aston Villa News 24/7Writer: J P Fear 
Date:Thursday August 3 2006
Time: 8:00PM
UK time is: 21:08:10
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Is O'Neill Really Villa Bound?
I must admit, if this happens, I'll be gobsmacked!?
Reports have suggested that Martin O'Neill will join Aston Villa before Doug Ellis leaves. One went as far as to say that O'Neill will be taking the biggest gamble of his career.
To be honest I dismissed this, and the report in the Mail saying the manager could be installed in time for the pre-season tour of Germany and Holland this weekend. I'd not thought that O'Neill would touch Villa with a bargepole whilst Ellis remained, but maybe - just maybe - he will with the sure fire thought that a takeover has to happen sooner or later?
Seems the whispers in footballing circles are getting louder as well. O'Neill certainly seems more than a little interested in this great club and it makes sense - having waited (and like us waited and waited and waited) for the takeover to be resolved - that maybe he is thinking that he has to be in now to get the team prepared and ready?
We live in strange times if this happens, he'd surely be the most popular managerial appointment for a decade? I'd have thought Big Ron Atkinson was the last manager that most seemed to want.
Not sure what the appointment would do for the fans anger on the Ellis issue, surely things have gone too far this time for Ellis to once again get off the hook? A manager like O'Neill will want to build something at Villa, to do that he'll need some funds and leadership from the top.
Time will tell, nothing seems to shock anymore!
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Your Comments
of course he'll take oer, everyone knows, it, expects it and if he didn't now it would need a huge pr excercise from him to explain it away.
I'm sure he will have some agreeemnt in place which includes a takeover if it is ever allowed to happen and with one exception the bidders accept him anyway
I'm sure as with Ranieri he'll at worst get 12 months and even with mega bucks being available, and they aren't yet, he'll have problems spending much this season especially as the majority of you feel the squad is *****e anyway.
What's he got to lose.
A decent club, and assurances that Ellis has now lost control why not jump.
Personally I feel for the longterm he lacks the experience to handle big overseas players but then its ages before Villa get there isn't it
avfc48
I am praying that he does come in soon - as we still have a season to prepare for - and there would be no one better to get that right than O'Neill.
xfranc
This just seems to go on and on and on. The only thing that gives me the slightest optimism is the fact that O'Neill hasn't dismissed us out of hand. On the other hand all we have is certain members of the press making headlines like "O'Neill in 48hrs"etc. I would have thought that an appointment off a new manager would have made sense before the tour started. However with the withdrawal of Roy Aitken, on medical grounds, and the appointment off Eric Steele as the caretakers caretaker this know looks extremely unlikely. I personally think it's time for the present board to either say we will appoint a new manager before any take over business is concluded or whether they will wait until the takeover is settled either one way or the other. It is unsettling to us the fans, the board would do well to remember that we pay a lot of money to follow the club, and the players. Then again when has Ellis and co ever gave the fans a second thought?
still skeggy
I hope he comes but it doesnt change much for me. Ellis at VP, wallet in pocket. End.
AC
be great if he becomes ure manager, u might have some sucess then, btw i like the new boader
green giant 12
Ellis staying for this season or beyond is too depressing to even think about. He has to go. I don't think O'Neill would be desperate enough to come without assurances that Doug was selling up. Those two could clearly never work together for long.
baros10
I think crazy Doug is waiting to make both the takeover and new manager announcements at the same time, tus saving him shelling out for the tea and biscuits twice.
ULSTER VILLA
No he not coming and I can hear a certain fat lady...THE TRUTH IS OUT THERE
Steve64k
If I am correct any news has to be announced to the Stock exchange first so I think the time to watch out for anything is about 7.30am when the stock exchange opens.
sirdennis
Any chance that he jumped before he was pushed(Aitkin-get well soon) and knows MON will join up with the squad? We seriously need some form of leadership to show the other teams in the league we are not the joke they think we are.
sk1nner80
I think weve missed him ! ...I also think Doug Selling up isn't going to happen, ....I think Eliis will unveil a new board and a new manager (NOT MON) - and say that non of the bidders 'put a bid in' ...the fact that his lack of co operation meant it was practically impossible to lodge a formal bid will be forgotten....
We will soon be urged to 'back the team' and forget about off the pitch distractions.
It seems the prospect of a takover, far from putting Doug under pressure, has actually got him off the hook....
qKing
Several Sources are now reporting O Neil will make an announcement Tommorrow. ....I fear the worst....O Neil is making the statement, not neccesarily villa. Well you you wouldn't announce a non appointment would you ?
qKing
Be positive Villa is the only job he has been linked with and like you said you would'nt announce a non appointment would you ? would you!!
sirdennis
wot I meant was ....I would be a lot happier if the club had called a press conference....but if O Neil is making the announcement...I fear the worst.....
although as you say, there are no other clubs in for him :)
qKing
Pat Murphy seems to be agreeing with me on R5 as we speak
avfc48
Many of the correspondents are missing the point. Regardless of whether or not MON does become our manager and I hope he does, the important thing is for all supporters to keep the pressure on Ellis. If Ellis has not gone by the time of the first home match then the planned boycotts and demonstrations should take place with a vengeance. Ellis is killing a once proud club; his selfish arrogance is pathetic he must be persuaded to leave so the club can recover its pride and self respect again.
DoogieTyBrenin
Everything I have read about O'Neill suggests he isnt a gambler and will take his time, so I dont expect him to jump in while Doug remains in charge.
deanovilla
Take back everything I just said!!! Looks like he's coming tommorow! OH HAPPY DAYS!!!!!!!!!!!! Keep up the Ellis out chanting tho guys... this doesnt apease us does it!!!
deanovilla
Look on the bright side, at least you are currently second in the Premiership!!!
Jimmy James
Fingures crossed the hype is true. O'Neal and Randy, Someone pinch me. Or i'l just read tommorows news which will know dout tell a different story.
Burnsy
I think that if he doesnt join the team out there on tour, then forget it, he wont be coming. Then the fun will start.
glensider
Why comment on what no one knows for sure? The one thing that everyone knows is how long things take to get done around villa. Just wait and see....There are doors I'm yet to open, Windows I'm yet to look through, maybe the way forward is to go back...THE TRUTH IS OUT THERE
Steve64k
What makes O'Neill any better that say JG? Leicester were avg and Celtic were in an anual two horse race. So why are people so excited about O'Neill?....There are doors I'm yet to open, Windows I'm yet to look through, maybe the way forward is to go back...THE TRUTH IS OUT THERE
Steve64k
Leicester were average, that is true, but they were average with below average players adn with an anual transfer budget that makes Doug look like Abramovic....BTW....THE TRUTH IS IN HERE!!
Villain Of The North
The way I hear it Aitkin was told that he would not be going on the pre season tour. His recent illness was then simply used as an excuse.
Martin O'Neill or no Martin O'Neill I think we need to stay focused on getting Herbert out. There can be no long term improvement until he has gone,
chocolate teapot
I'm just glad one piece of the puzzle has been completed. Just gotta get Doug out now and the good times can roll again.
DeanoVilla
the paper are going nuts this morning, there is actually a god, O'Neil is coming!!....all we need is one more favour to remove uncle herb
son_of_cher
Lets have a day off being negative and throw ourselves into blind optimism. O'Neil will be our new manager which must mean he knows the takeover is just going through its processes. Maybe he wants to be named manager before new owners are in so that he can take the squad on tour. Maybe that is also why no info is going to the AV06 bid. Good things come to those who wait and we certainly have waited. Vital Villa members to the pub to celebrate this afternoon?
tylervilla
Reading the latest poll. Surely people wouldnt boycott villa park if ONeil joins. We can still heckle Ellis, but we should all get behind the new manager.
trinityroj
We've been down this road before. "Ellis Out" banners, talks of boycotts and then Herbert neatly side steps us with a new manager or a new signing. How many times are we willing to be fooled by this man? I, for one, have had enough. I shall not be going back to VP until Herbert has gone.
chocolate teapot
Live on sky sports news MON signing autographs outside Villa Park
johnh1982
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