So who’s the villain of the piece?

MARTIN O’NEILL was showing concerns over how much money Aston Villa owner Randy Lerner would make available for new signings only 72 hours before quitting the midlands club.

O’Neill dropped a bombshell yesterday by ending his four-year reign in charge of Villa just five days before the start of the new Premier League campaign.

Reserve-team coach Kevin MacDonald will be in charge for Saturday’s league opener with West Ham at Villa Park.