Ellis praise for O’Leary

ASTON VILLA boss David O’Leary has been hailed for producing “the best playing season for many years,” by chairman Doug Ellis even though the club announced a loss of more than £10m for the past financial year.

The midlands club announced a profit of £7.3m - a rise of £7.1m on the previous year - in their preliminary results for the year ending May 31, 2004. However the figures do not include player trading.

Villa reported an “exceptionally high level of loss on disposal of players” - £5.6m - and a reduction in value of playing assets of £12.2m. Overall turnover increased 23% to £55.9m.

Under O’Leary, Villa overcame a slow start to secure sixth place in the Premiership and reached the semi-finals of the Carling Cup.

Ellis said: “Last season was David O’Leary’s first in charge as team manager and after disappointing early results we just missed out on a UEFA Cup place, although I think it is fair to say that in finishing sixth we ended the season on a high note.

“In addition, we also reached the semi-final of the Carling Cup; the reserve team won their league; our U19s won their league and we reached the final of the FA Youth Cup for the second time in three seasons. Across the board it was undoubtedly our best playing season for many years.”