O’Leary defiant on Ellis controversy

Villa manager David O’Leary has insisted he delivered no ultimatum to chairman Doug Ellis about being guaranteed money for players before he signed a new contract.

O’Leary has quashed speculation that putting pen to paper on a new three-and-a-half year deal was dependent on funds being made available to bolster one of the Premiership’s smallest squads.

On Monday, the former Leeds boss is expected to formally sign a contract which will keep him at Villa Park until the summer of 2008.