O'Leary In Veiled Attack On Ellis

David O'Leary has come out with a veiled attack on Aston Villa chairman Doug Ellis following some lavish praise for Tottenham Hotspur in today's ic brum.

O'Leary, never one to shy away from self praise (!) points out that he too tried to sign half the young and talented English players who are currently taking Spurs 'to the next level' and leaving Villa in their wake.

O'Leary had Paul Robinson at Villa Park for negotiations, only for our 82-year-old chairman to mess up the talks. Robinson has since become England No 1.

O'Leary says he has formed a friendship with the Spurs shot stopper and will be going out for a meal with the player afterwards. However he is hoping Robinson has a 'nightmare' of a game, even though it will cost him! They have an agreement that the winner will buy the meal. Lets hope they don't go on Doug's recommendations for a venue, with all the cut backs he'll no doubt suggest McDonalds, or are they a bit too pricey as well?!

He also says that he was monitoring Michael Dawson, Michael Carrick and Jermain Defoe. But Villa couldn't compete in the transfer market.

He said in an interview with IC Brum: 'Robinson was down here, I watched Dawson and I asked about Carrick and Defoe. They are all quality players.'

Adding: 'They have bought really good players. Sometimes, they make mistakes but they cut their losses and go again. Shaun Davis was bought for £3.5million from Fulham. It didn't work out but Edgar Davids came in and Davis was moved out. That's why they are up there.'

He also praises their policy of buying young players for the future. Meanwhile, O'Leary - under mounting pressure from unhappy fans - has been told there is no money to spend in January and has seen his on loan midfielder Eirik Bakke returned to Leeds so Doug can save a few more pennies.

Doug - SELL UP.