Ellis vows to fund O’Leary’s spree when transfer window slides open

ASTON VILLA chairman Doug Ellis is prepared to provide financial backing for manager David O’Leary in the transfer window after the Irishman yesterday signed a new three and a half year contract.

But Ellis is adamant he will not allow Villa to suffer the financial problems encountered by O’Leary’s previous club Leeds.

O’Leary has presented Ellis with a list of five players who are potential targets next month as he looks to bolster one of the smallest squads in the Premiership. Ellis admitted three of those players “could be made available” by their respective clubs when the transfer window reopens in a fortnight.