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.

[@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...

[@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

[@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 !!!!

[@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.

[@jimkiernan13]

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

[@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.

[@maxfrasier]

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

[@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

[@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

[@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

[@davidbland9546]

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

[@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 !

[@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.

[@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

[@carlbrinton4639]

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

[@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

[@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

[@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.

[@centralmotorslyeltd]

Waited 12 years to hear this. Well done guys

[@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.

[@MrIanji]

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

[@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.

[@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

[@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).

[@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

[@Sammmgill]

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

[@adamwhite3347]

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

[@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

[@nigelhorton1115]

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

[@MjolnirMarks]

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

[@jongrindrod7002]

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

[@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.

[@jamiephillipson8956]

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

[@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.

[@MegaGrahamo]

Well done guys great banter the best interview so far.

[@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.

[@waynedawkins7935]

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

[@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!

[@Samboy666]

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

[@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

[@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

[@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.

[@dobbiewilliams334]

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

[@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

[@roys6339]

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

[@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.

[@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 ❤️

[@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. 😂

[@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

[@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.

[@anorakfreak]

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

[@dancorlett2010]

Great interview, top work guys. Insightful!

[@thinlizzysupporter]

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

[@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?

[@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.

[@waldi4523]

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

[@alexavfclineham7301]

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

[@davidheaton5765]

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

[@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.

[@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)

[@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

[@wilsonkwatson]

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

[@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.

[@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.

[@DarnsDV]

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

[@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.

[@DanReynolds77]

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

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@THEGOAT69_420]

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

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@ChristopherSellwood]

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

[@princenaseem295]

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

[@darrenwoolley8433]

What a brilliant interview Mat really enjoyable listen. UTV

[@harryjohnson8371]

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

[@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.

[@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

[@stuartmcdonagh6831]

Brilliant episode.

[@trevorsummers3248]

Brilliant, really enjoyed this one, 40mis was not long enough 😀👍UTV.

[@razorrabone4098]

He was fantastic for us. Wore his heart on his sleeve. Wanted the best. He knew the only way was down after Lerner stopped the money flow.

[@docca123]

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

[@Scotty-UK]

Just starting to watch it now and I cannot wait absolutely fantastic!

[@mattking241]

Superb. Been waiting years for this. Loved the MON years.

[@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

[@edjeffery1]

Amazing thank you

[@beaumont6541]

Never thought I’d see the day!

[@marksheldon8475]

One of our best managers

[@twotales7337]

The one we've all been waiting for 👊🏻

[@claretbloodblueveins]

thank you guys so much for this'1 utv

[@joshuaskelton8737]

Amazing content... Well done guys! Mat & Mon like old friends who fell out being forced to make up haha :)

[@grenvillephillips6998]

I would reassure Martin that there was a minority of Villa fans who understood what his priorities were, and the political situation within the club. As ever these were the voices which were drowned out by a more vocal and more influential group who managed to establish a negative version, which has become the historical orthodoxy. Even Villa's decline and relegation with 17 points failed to change their minds. Another perfect instance of power without responsibility.