Villa job "impossible" for Paul Merson

Former Villa favourite Paul Merson believes Martin O'Neill has left an impossible job for his successor at Villa Park.

The ex-Holte End hero reckons the club's next manager will struggle to match O'Neill's achievements during his four-year tenure and could find himself compared unfavourably with the Northern Irishman.

Merson said: "Any manager who is offered the job is going to think 'I am taking over a club that has been punching above its weight and we could easily finish eighth or ninth next season.'

"If that happens that manager would be in trouble because he would have taken the club from the brink of the Champions League to finishing in mid-table.

"It is a really tough job for whoever takes over. They can't possibly do what Martin O'Neill has done.

"Villa are one of those teams who, even though they could have easily won a couple of trophies in the last couple of years, could easily finish ninth and you wouldn't really be shocked.

"Martin O'Neill has got a great reputation and he might have looked at that and asked why he would want to risk it by finishing ninth or 10th next season."

Doug Ellis slammed the timing of O'Neill's departure from Villa - but insisted he can be replaced.

Former chairman Ellis, now life president, appointed O'Neill in 2006 before selling the club to current owner Randy Lerner.

Ellis, 86, admits the timing could not have been worse but is confident the Northern Irishman can be replaced.

He said: "I must say I'm disappointed by the timing of it. It's just a pity it's been done at this particular time, so close to the start of the season. He did a very good job. I'm just glad I appointed him.

"But never forget the club is bigger than any one individual.

"Randy Lerner is a very good chairman and I'm sure he'll find the right person."

Former Villa striker Stan Collymore believes O'Neill was sold short by Lerner.

He said: "Martin was frustrated with a lack of movement in the transfer market and a lack of backing to go out and buy players.

"People say he's spent a lot of money over the last couple of seasons but you have to keep spending if you're going to be competitive.

"Villa's in a good place as a club and he deserved more backing."