EXCLUSIVE: Martin O'Neill in his most honest Aston Villa interview ever

Martin O'Neill has finally lifted the lid on his controversial Aston Villa exit during his most honest interview since he quit the club.
In an exclusive chat with Mat Kendrick, O'Neill revealed he regrets leaving Villa - and the manner of his departure - in the summer of 2010.
Frustration around the League Cup Final, Phil Dowd and not reaching the Top 4 are all covered - including that night in Moscow in the UEFA Cup. Grab the popcorn, and enjoy.
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[@dannyharvey6594]

Quickest 40 minute podcast I’ve ever listened to. Could listen to Martin all day. He brought me the closest thing to ‘glory days’ of watching Villa. Great job, lads!

[@greasyboyangel1]

Looking back, based on the absolute dirge of managers we have had since Martin O'Neill, there should be no ill feeling. Sounds as if he really cares. He was and will always be one of my favourite Villa Managers in charge on one of my favourite squads.

[@tomgallagher7870]

Keep up the good work with the show..as for o neill i see he has had a go at the way he was treated managing the irish team.lets be honest we played garbage football and no one ever called him the outsider or the northener.always came across as a bitter prick anyway.we paid him enough thats all i know lol.

[@duncanedwards7840]

👏🤝 U T V.

[@andreashessler838]

As a Leicester fan of over 30 years, this man will always be a hero. He and his team made it possible for us to win things and compete after years in the wilderness. He would have taken Villa on to great things given the chance. An absolute gentleman as well.

[@justino359]

That was brilliant! Thanks to all involved. I can still remember that horrible disappointment when Martin left, but like you said Mat, it was because he had done so well at the club. The other point is it also marks the beginning of a period of decline at the club which unfairly taints his achievements. It's good to remember what a great manager he was. Randy next! 👏👏👏💜💙

[@RuachEden]

Every good manager we've had, Since I've been a villa fan, has missed out on more success by off the field issues, or more precisely they've hit a ceiling defined by the board or Deadly Doug. Hoping for something different this time around

[@jimkiernan13]

Terrific interview. You ran a competitive and combative team and gave me much pleasure. Thank you for your efforts Martin.

[@michaelhuggins8513]

👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 I have said this quite a few times over the last few weeks but the Aston Villa Podcast family are now operating at a different level and class from many other fans lead podcasts. Huge Congratulations on this interview Well done

[@kimbob5]

Had a lot of great memories when Martin was at the dugout regularly being animated and motivating the team and having a go at referees. Such a good time to be a Villa fan.

[@mikerotch4974]

Fantastic interview lads 👏 absolute coup getting Martin O’Neil on and really interesting to hear his side of the story during his time at Villa. Martin O’Neil gave me some of the best moments as a Villa fan and regardless of how he left, he still did a terrific job at the club.

[@scottwheeler9786]

Literally couldnt give a toss what other fans think this man is a hero in my eyes .. football is about creating memories & in my years of going home & away with the villa MON created the best memories by a country mile, not a place in europe we couldnt of gone to & not think we could of won .. everton away will never be beaten in the pouring rain .. ajax at home the wonderful cup runs etc .. just a pleasure to be a villa fan at the time plus it was put into perspective given the shit we've had since ...so thank you martin unlike some i dont have a short memory .. half these who comment about ya u could count on one hand how many games theyve been too.... TRULY WONDERFUL !!!!

[@danielsinha9594]

2007-2010 still gives me goosebumps...closest team we had to the 90's sides...great vibes going to villa park at that time...

[@Jack.Grealish]

Mr O'Neill enhanced my thought process of the game as a youngster so much... I will always be so grateful for what this legend tought me 👏👏💯

[@victorkreig6089]

Not many better to learn from at a young age honestly, he just does so well at getting your brain to understand

[@andrewjohnston6338]

He could of taught you to spell !

[@petes8280]

The MON days are some of my favourite years as a villa fan, up there with Atkinson, Little & Gregory. At the time I was disappointed with the manner of him leaving, but I always held him in such high regard with his decision making, be it squad selections, or transfer decisions, he tended to get them right more often than not, and therefore always believed he had his reasons to leave. It’s great to see him, and the relationship he had with Mat was great to see also. Looking forward to reading the book now. Great work guys on the recent interviews, really setting you apart from other fan podcasts 👏🏼

[@andyg1978]

Great man, manager and one of our best. I honestly think we could have gone on for bigger and better if he had stayed, but i understand why he did what he did. Was gutted at the time but for me he'll always be welcome at Villa Park

[@carlbrinton4639]

Villa legend, what could he have done if our present owners were with us back then ?

[@RoBoyler]

Absolutely class. Ye boys are smashing it lately. I only listen to this podcast now for Villa. We had some great times with Martin, sad to hear him say he feels like he had to sneak in the backdoor when returning to Villa Park. Those were my greatest days as a Villa fan so far. Great work lads . Up the Villa

[@paulhanson5164]

12 years later and we still aren't back to where we were when he quit, for me that is a reflection of what a poor owner Lerner became not what a terrible thing O'Neill did. I was pissed off at the manner of his leaving but I idolise Ron Saunders and he walked out midseason, could have easily ruined our chances of winning the European Cup and went up the road to join the Blues. I see from the few comments so far that I'm in a minority in having no ill will toward Martin, I enjoyed his time at our club.

[@dennisgoatimer1079]

Yea it didnt help that Houllier didn't last long because of his health but what happened afterwards was just dreadful

[@paxtontom79]

Things changed when Lerner had to divorce his wife. The money became limited

[@matthewsmith2147]

A really great interview and thoroughly enjoyed it. I was shocked and gutted when he left, but don't really blame him. I found it interesting how Randy Lerner never really seemed bothered with Champions' League; i think it goes to show how lucky we are with NSWE now. Thanks for the memories Martin!

[@SirUnaiEmery]

but we were saying the same thing 09-10 about lerner being good and ellis holding us back , NSWE could lose patience soon just like lerner did

[@mooncalf3130]

I'm by no means defending Lerner here but its not just a question of patience - the man was getting divorced and also losing money in the financial crash too, obviously has a huge effect. I'm massively on O'Neills side nonetheless. I understand why he left, bad timing yes but I have nothing but respect for the man.

[@davidbland9546]

Great orator, one of the best we've had in my 50 years of watching Villa.

[@barrygribben2531]

Very good interview. Love Martins honesty and openness. What a terrific manager he was. If he had been backed properly we could have had some really amazing years with him at the helm. What has happened since his departure, for me, goes to show just how good he was and his ambition wasn't matched. Hopefully with the new owners and Emery we will see some good nights return and get back to where we belong

[@maxfrasier]

A very charismatic man, listening and not even a Villa fan.

[@supervillan326]

Apart from Big Ron, O’Neill is the best manager we had a VP in my lifetime. It was always clear to me that he left because his ambition was greater than the owners and he didn’t want to compromise. I always respected that. The manner of his departure was crushing, but any ill will I felt was towards the owner, not the manager, who represented my own ambitions. I’ve got nothing but gratitude and fondness for Mr O’Neil and he’ll get warn applause from me anytime he returns to VP. 👏

[@jimmypopt.v.3037]

I thought Brian Little did well for us, got us the League Cup and 4th in the league.

[@supervillan326]

@@jimmypopt.v.3037 Good shout. John Gregory also did well. I just personally remember O’Neill and Big Ron slightly more fondly due to the league performances, (Big Ron so close to winning the inaugural Premier League, only for team morale to be crushed with three games to play by the introduction of “Fergie time”, whilst O’Neill secured Europe via the league for three successive seasons).

[@jellynicecream1967]

Great watch here from a Celtic man. Martin put our club back on the map, shame how it ended at Villa, but he gave you a club to be proud of again.

[@halfmanhalfbiscuit]

I always hoped Martin would manage Liverpool back in the day. I argued with my mates that Liverpool needed a manager with charisma above all else, and that charisma+money*crowd=success. They argued back that his football was shit. I didn’t see that. All I saw was a potential Shankly. Who was right? Who knows - later on I thought the same about Mourinho, so maybe my judgement is flawed. I’m buying the book tho. He’s intelligent, fearless and fascinating and i’m sure it’ll be a great read.

[@mikeholmes5692]

This is a terrific podcast guys, Mr O'Neill is the best manager since we won the champions league, my good lady is Irish and absolutely adores him, she would leave me for him 😂. A true legend and a total gentleman.

[@kyletank5799]

Great to see O’Neill. Since his departure we haven’t reached the same high echelon. Well done team UTV

[@bigboy4333]

And you never will. Let that sink in

[@cafu-thebrazilianalanhutto6835]

Are you sure about that?

[@only1icon1801]

Hats off on this one. I was very much in the disdain for MON for how he left as I felt he really fucked us over but listening to him and his reasoning/open honesty about differently he would have done it now is humbling One of the few modern managers who got what AVFC is about and saying 6th wasn't good enough for us felt genuine Gave us some absolutely phenomenal times down VP and I'll forever be grateful for that

[@jongrindrod7002]

Unreal interview. You boys are doing brilliant things with the podcast and I think this is my favourite one so far. Very insightful.

[@jamesnewbury9807]

That was great! Never ever thought you'd get him on, and especially not to talk to you, Mat....although I think he relished the chance to lock horns again and maybe right some wrongs. Always an honest guy. Great stuff

[@centralmotorslyeltd]

Waited 12 years to hear this. Well done guys

[@MrIanji]

10 minutes in, I don’t want this to end. I don’t normally by biographies but gonna have to! So engaging!

[@JRP.1989]

This is amazing I could have watched hours of this! Good works guys, one of the best interviews to date

[@Sammmgill]

I grew up watching this man. Magical years, i miss these days… hoping to see that success again soon

[@witton6475]

Met Martin O’Neill at his first Villa home game vs Fulham with my 8 year old son. An absolute gentleman! Never got to thank him for his time back then. Thank you Martin. It was a magical moment for my son (and for me too). In my opinion he was one of the best managers Villa have had in the past 60 years. I was absolutely gutted when he left. It has taken Villa over 12 years to recover and we’re not there yet.

[@roryking1]

still remember waking up to the news that he'd gone. never been so hurt/angry as a villa fan.... they should have moved heaven and earth to keep this man. under emery is the first time i have felt like we are going places since o'neil left

[@MjolnirMarks]

Not even a Villa fan, but loved this interview. Was quite cathartic.

[@nigelhorton1115]

FABULOUS Guys Martin O'neil - thank you for 3 fantastic seasons ✌

[@gmansid3576]

Great interview. Can’t help thinking though that after 12 years we finally get the regret and contrition now he’s got his book out.

[@clioneye8039]

That was an absolutely class interview, Mat! It really helped put a few things to bed and it was nice to hear things from his point of view. I also love that he called you a git. 😂

[@Shadow-zz2ry]

Wow how did you get him for this interview. This is fantastic.

[@johndunne1936]

He has a book to flog

[@woofwoof1able]

@@johndunne1936 and publishers insist that authors take every available opportunity to publicise - that's probably in the book contract!

[@MegaGrahamo]

Well done guys great banter the best interview so far.

[@robjones7725]

Very honest man. I didn't like the way he left but he's explained that with his regret. What cannot be denied he had Villa as a regular top 6 side and that hasn't happened since his tenure as manager. Respect for him - he was a very good footballer too, under a certain manager, Brian Clough. Give Unai Emery time and AVFC will compete again and it doesn't matter if we lose at Old Trafford tonight because it is the long haul and Brighton - bloody good side - away on Sunday that matters a lot more. More importantly, Villa need to play well and have resiilience and grit and a killer instinct (we saw that in UE's first game) and become a feared team to play against. UE will do that. Martin O'Neil was the last class manager we had - now we have another that must be given time... and then we will see Villa back at the top of PL and in European competion. We're back!

[@Jimunculi]

Well said 👍🏻

[@robjones7725]

@@Jimunculi Thanks, Jim, it's just how I see it. I just want a team and club that I can be proud of. I will always love The Villa regardless of lack of success. I want a competitive team that other clubs don't take lightly - any more. UTV

[@dennisgoatimer1079]

Yea it was a shame how he left but he left with a great squad that could push on under the right manager obviously Lerner wanted to sell most of them but even then Houllier did pretty good. If things were different him as our manager would be class and given time could get us back to MON levels even with Lerners restrictions. This is a hypothetical scenario so it may not of turned out like that but given Houllier philosophy of promoting the youth with a pretty decent youth players you could get more for less which Lerner would of liked

[@clicknafea]

Astute observations

[@adamwhite3347]

Top Man, Top Manager, Thankful for some great memories. UTV

[@captainhindsight6994]

For all the negatives, I've never forgotten the positives. I remember Gabby shredding arsenal during those 3 seasons of a top 6 finish and Europe. I don't blame home for leaving in hindsight, he saw the writing on the wall. Love the memories even if it feels like the pride before the fall. Great interview

[@waynedawkins7935]

What a brilliant interview, straight talking as usual MON, Matt you weren't bad either.

[@johnperry6293]

Our best manager after Ron Saunders. Given time he would have matched him. Thank you Martin for the great football your team’s played.

[@dobbiewilliams334]

This was a phenomenal man for the podcast. Thank you guys very much.

[@DarrenMansell]

What a fantastic listen. Well done guys for getting Martin on and well done Mat for the really professional interview style. I imagine it might have been difficult to ask certain questions with the strained relationship in the past but you approached it in a great way. My only criticism is it needed to be 2 hours long because I could listen to you and Martin discuss that period all day.

[@MoBBerZz]

Brilliant, thank you to all the Claret and Blue guys and Martin of course! Would love to see the old gaffer welcomed back to VP now change of ownership and time healing some old wounds. MoN gave us some of the best times at Villa and we had no idea at the time, dont know what you have until you lose it.

[@anorakfreak]

Excellent interview! I was gutted and angry when he left......only because he did a great job!

[@willingtonwellington]

Brilliant Mat. Like with any ex, you have to get past the breakup to start appreciating the good times again. Thanks for the relationship counselling session… we did have some great times didn’t we.

[@Samboy666]

B4 watching this Im immediately reminded of how we were robbed in the league cup final. It was a red card all day.

[@grahamjohnson4002]

When he was named Villa manager it was one of those moments where it felt so perfect. And it was. Then when he played the "weakened" team in Russia I started to turn on him and that was my overriding memory of him leaving a few days before the new season. On hindsight it was a harsh reaction and watching this proves that. The best manager we had this century and maybe, just maybe, Unai Emery can get us to where Martin got us and maybe further. Great podcast and thanks Mr O'neill for all you did

[@g9mtkvilla]

Great stuff. The Vidic incident was a huge moment but referees bottling it against the top sides has always and will always be pivotal

[@paulhawthorn9240]

Mat - Thank you for this. I enjoyed every minute, some special times and ultimately he wanted like all of us fans, to push on. I’ll never forget the disappointment of the day he left. Fantastic interview ! I reckon deep down, he thinks you’re ok.

[@alexavfclineham7301]

Fair play I didn’t think you'd ever get this interview. Look forward to watching it now

[@tonyska]

Well, that's the interview I've been years to see. No doubt we had some great years under him, although he undoubtedly left us in the lerch. I have to respect his honesty. I look back and Taylor, Big Ron, Gregory and O'Neill came so close. If only they been backed a bit more, where would the club be now?

[@lastonewon]

You can't deny MO'N was superb Villa manager, played good football and with consistently high finishes. He left abruptly under a cloud a few days before the start of the season and it tainted his legacy slightly but fair play for his admission that he should of handled things differently and stayed and worked through his differences with Lerner. UTV always.

[@johnstarrett3397]

One of the true gents of football and man what a character. We are all so so proud of Martin here in Derry. Legend ❤️

[@thinlizzysupporter]

Outstanding interview fellas, absolutely loved it 😊👏🏻👏🏻

[@flatbat8571]

Love this. You can hear the intelligence in every answer M'ON gives. He seems like a really engaging person to have a bit of back and forth with. As someone who's in their mid 20s, he'll forever be my favourite Villa manager (depending on what Emery does)

[@dancorlett2010]

Great interview, top work guys. Insightful!

[@roys6339]

Great interview. Martin O'Neil was a legend at Villa.

[@denoutlander]

Never held against him when he left, especially with what happened in the intervening years, he was the last great manager we had. Hopefully we can have similar or better success, under Emery.

[@simonhaswell9432]

Cracking interview! Really enjoyed it. Was gutted when he left, as I think given the right players we could have gone on to become a force in the league. Saying that we'd bite your hand off for 3 consecutive 6th place finishes nowadays! Although his exit was the beginning of our 'wilderness years' I kind of forgive him, especially hearing that he regrets it. Thanks for bringing us that! UTV!!

[@ChristopherSellwood]

Never blamed him for leaving. How can you compete when your best players continually get sold off?

[@bugsbunny403]

Very interesting interview with my all time favourite Villa manager. O’Neil, for me, was a superb player and an excellent manager, his achievements speak for themselves. There’s clearly some prickly history with Mat 😂. Good to hear more about why he left, would be great to hear more in general from Martin. O’Neil represents a sweet spot in villa’s recent history which has, in the main been particularly sour. Thank you.

[@martinhinchcliffe1393]

As a Manchester United fan it’s great to sit and watch ex managers talking about the teams they worked with I can say hand on heart during the Fergie years and that time frame I become insular and had only concerns about United but ive all the time in the world to listen to Martin he says it how it is and sadly now players don’t like that . Great Podcast

[@adambubba1982]

I look back with fond memories and a sense of what could have been. Fantastic manager who delivered consistency which we have struggled to achieve since he left. Hopefully we are now on the path now.

[@tezzrexx]

Fantastic interview. Well done Mat.

[@orourkedafootball]

I'm glad he was our manager and I am very much one of those villa fans who enjoyed his reign at the club. Enjoyable interview that seemed to go past really quickly.

[@Gkirby001]

My goodness; weren't Villa lucky to have this great man at the club. Great player, great manager, and by all accounts a great guy. His autobiography is one of the best biogs ever! MON #GAWA

[@wilsonkwatson]

This is absolutely brilliant! Loved the O’Neill days and being invincible!

[@simonsumners7464]

Really enjoyed that, still on the fence but, glad to hear he admitted to doing it wrong!

[@waldi4523]

Excellent interview, the best 👌 Just beating the 1982 interviews.

[@davehooper5115]

I think he's a great character, he did wonders for Villa and I don't have any bad words against him. He's had a great career as a player and manager. respect

[@clicknafea]

Spot on.

[@garyglasgow3003]

Great interview guys, always felt the Moscow game was a watershed moment for MON, never thought he was the same with the supporters after they questioned him, he never took criticism well. Hindsight is a wonderful thing, saying he wishes he had stayed and worked with Lerner rather than walking away maybe to do with the fact he never hit the heights in his managerial career again. We had some good times under him, he certainly made a few errors in transfers, especially some he bought in but so does every manager. He's bang on about that decision that Phil Dowd made tho, how things could have been different if he had done his job correctly.

[@donholt3361]

Not a Villa fan but that was excellent.

[@davidb1038]

I've got a lot of time for Martin, he only wanted to win things for us and who knows what we may have won under him and as we all know now it was lerner who was the problem all along,great interview.

[@johnplatt4962]

Absolute brilliant, watched it twice. Very well done to all involved. Still can't quite forgive Martin for the way he left. But if I saw him in a bar now, I'd buy him a beer. UTV.

[@davidheaton5765]

A hero. Wish we had him on the board or something along those lines.

[@DarnsDV]

Quality video guys, good to hear from Martin O'neill. Definitely gave me my best memories as a villa fan growing up!

[@marshjj3788]

It's taken years to get villa back to the standard under O'Neil. with Prime Ashley Young, Carew, Milner, Sidwell, Sutton ect. A good side.

[@harryjohnson8371]

That stoke game was the still the post pain I've felt after a game other than losing to Fulham at Wembley

[@jirijanecek8126]

I remember going to that Valencia friendly, so excited for the new season to start. What a shock it was when he left. Villa has not been the same since. We used to be tough to beat, could give anyone a game then. Yes, he kept picking the same team, but they performed. Some bismal signings as well though.

[@aDreamingNomad]

it was because of O'Neil I bought the Season Reviews on DVD. Those are my most memorable times as a Villa Fan, as I'm just 36 now.

[@beaumont6541]

Never thought I’d see the day!

[@philsneddon-coombes8614]

Brilliant pod cast and answered a few questions that pissed off a lot of Villa fans at the time It was a great time and what a team we had He was a cracking manager but we really did collapse when he left us

[@ryandavies7992]

Love this. I was only a child when Martin was at the helm and getting an in depth discussion about his time at the club only puts my respect for him up

[@deanhowell5936]

You were born in 1997?

[@Javo_AV]

Really enjoyed listening! Nothing changes for me though RE MON. For the people who defend him and try to paint a different picture... He quite simply failed as a Villa manager, when you use context. Spent more than Everton who finished above us every season and cracked the top 4. Spent more than Spurs who won a trophy and cracked top 4 too. Us being rubbish ever since, is completely and utterly irrelevant to it, although he has his part in that. If he hadn't walked out when he did, and left early in preseason then I wouldn't have such disdain for him. But he did leave when he did, sabotaging the next managers chances of having a successful season (a pre season, chance to sign more of his own players and more importantly maybe move on some others!!!). And has admitted it was wrong himself here.

[@THEGOAT69_420]

In my eyes the best manager in my life time I'm 30.

[@DanReynolds77]

Really enjoyed that lads. Could of watched for hours. Fascinating.

[@stevewebster5729]

I'm really glad to have watched this. It's laid a few ghosts from the MON era and put a good few unreasonable thoughts of mine to bed. Still would question whether Randy had the money and MON had the managerial flexibility to get us into the Champions League, but all of that is debatable and that's not me feeling negative towards Martin.

[@fstalkshow8092]

He will be in my mind 1 of the greatest manager in Aston Villa history.

[@garyshaw4093]

Knowing what we know about Randy learner and regardless what Martin said about his own mistakes, I don’t know how any fan could hate Martin

[@andrewsherliker5619]

Well done lads great interview Villa fan in NZ

[@oringo556]

Wicked

[@BlackRuum]

Now I'm intrigued to hear Matt's post interview thoughts. What did he genuinely take away from the experience, does he have a better insight or is it still a prickly as it sounded in the interview. Would he willingly interview MON again. Personally MON era were my best times going to Villa and after he left we have been on a steady decline, until DS gave a little lift and now I think Emery Ball will take us back to the MON days and beyond. UTV! We March On!

[@matkendrick9179]

Hi BlackRum, I think the plan is that we'll touch on this in the live podcast we do next Friday. That will be available to watch on KZbin next weekend or early the following week. I'll have had a bit more time to get my thoughts together by then!

[@princenaseem295]

A good man and a great manager. One of my favourite ever! Hail hail x

[@billsmith5140]

From a Newcastle fan always had great respect for Martin comes across as such a genuine person. Well done lads great interview 👍

[@darrenwoolley8433]

What a brilliant interview Mat really enjoyable listen. UTV

[@docca123]

Brilliant - never recovered since he left. Hopefully Emery can take us back there