O'Neill exits Villa Park

Aston Villa's chances of finishing in the top four this season (9/1) have been rocked by the news Martin O'Neill has sensationally walked out of the club five days before the new season gets underway.

O'Neill's relationship with American owner Randy Lerner has been strained to say the least for months now and it is thought the imminent sale of James Milner to Manchester City was the final straw.

The Irishman is disappointed not to have got the backing he needs to take Villa into the top four of the Premier League and has not signed one player this summer.

"I have enjoyed my time at Aston Villa immensely," O'Neill revealed. "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.

"I wish them all the best for the future. I will obviously be assisting the club in the immediate short-term with regard to the handover of my duties."

Villa are 4/5 to beat West Ham when they kick off the season at Villa Park this Saturday and caretaker boss Kevin MacDonald will take charge of the clash.

MacDonald is 10/1 to become the next permanent manager of Villa but Stan James' Charlie McCann believes it could be USA national coach Bob Bradley who gets the nod.

"The first enquiry we had for the next Villa boss was for Bob Bradley who managed the USA side to reach the last 16 in South Africa during the summer. We want to keep Bradley on our side given the usual suspects look a bunch unlikely to have the Villa faithful purring," said McCann.