Ellis and Gregory heal rift

Aston Villa chairman Doug Ellis and manager John Gregory appear to have healed their much-publicised rift following the club record £9.5million signing of Juan Pablo Angel from River Plate.

The duo have clashed more than once over the club's transfer policy and matters came to a head when Gregory accused Ellis of living "in a time warp" and "talking big but acting small".

That prompted an apology from Gregory over the personal nature of his remarks towards Ellis who had stood by him when there were calls for his head 14 months ago after a poor sequence of results.

But today the pair looked to be in total harmony with each other after Angel put pen to paper on a four-and-a-half year deal.

Ellis said: "This signing is an indication that myself and the board are backing the manager 100% to the hilt. There is no problem.

"As far as I am concerned there is nothing wrong with our relationship and I hope we are not singing from different song sheets, particularly after buying this player."

When asked whether Gregory would still be at the helm after this season, Ellis said: "I certainly hope so and he knows that I hope so - not only for this season but for seasons to come."

Ellis insisted: "It was John's decision as to when and who he chose to sign and he finally came up with Juan Pablo Angel as his first choice and we have found the money."

Gregory said: "For the benefit of the club we have both got to make sure that we work very closely together and are both going in the same direction.

"In buying Juan Pablo Angel the chairman has established his intentions. It was a player I wanted and the board have provided the money. You can't say fairer than that.

"I'm not talking out of turn when I say the chairman sat me down recently and repeated that he wants me to be the last manager that he ever appoints."

Ellis confirmed Gregory's latter statement and said: "If I live another 15 years, then John will be here another 15 years."

Gregory is now expected to step up his bid to sign another Colombian - midfielder Mauricio Serna from Boca Juniors.