Martin O'Neill has resigned as Aston Villa manager just days before the start of the new season, the club have confirmed.
Villa released a statement on its offical website announcing the departure of O'Neill, adding that reserve team manager Kevin MacDonald has assumed the role of caretaker manager and will prepare the team for the opening Barclays Premier League game of the season against West Ham on Saturday at Villa Park.Paul Faulkner, chief executive of Aston Villa, said: "The club would like to thank Martin for the great work he has done at Aston Villa over the past four years.
"He has helped to establish the club in the upper echelons of the Premier League, has taken us to Wembley and we have also qualified for European competition for the past three seasons under his management.
"We wish him the best in the future."
O'Neill's shock departure comes as the club wrangles over James Milner's impending move to Manchester City. It is understood that the timing of O'Neill's resignation points to a renewed frustration over the club's continued willingness to sell its star players.
"I have enjoyed my time at Aston Villa immensely. It's obviously a wrench to be leaving such a magnificent club," O'Neill said in a statement.
"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."
O'Neill has led Villa to sixth place finishes in the Premiership over the last three seasons.
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