"If you cannot defend from goal-kicks, throw-Ins and free-kicks, then you have no chance, no defence.

"When I joined the club just over two years ago I knew that I had to aim for the top average would not be good enough.

"After spending the first year assessing the existing staff, I began a series of signings all of which I am certain will prove excellent investments for the future.

"Youngsters like Paul Elliott, Tony Dorigo and Steve Hodge would be first choice players for any team in the land.

"Time is always a football manager's worst enemy and, after the pre-season confidence we all felt at Villa Park, I would never have anticipated being in this situation by mid-September.

"I never shield behind excuses and would not give as a reason the huge injury list, which has prevented me fielding my ideal first team once this season.

“My successor will have an enviable job - a tremendous stadium with administration facilities to match, a progressive board with an excellent, supportive chairman, and a superb bunch of fans, particularly those who have travelled to away matches."

Graham Turner.


“There is no way I want to be the manager. When a new manager does come in, if he wants me to work with him, we will look at it from there.

"But I would not want to be in charge, even if it means that a new manager doesn't want to keep me on his coaching staff.

As far as l am concerned everything must be done only for the good of Aston Villa Football Club.

Ron Wylie.


“This decision has been extremely difficult for the board and me in particular, because of his qualities as a man.

"I have never worked with anyone with such honesty and Integrity and I would not hesitate to recommend him to another club.

"He is a man most worthy of success, and, although he has been denied it at Aston Villa due to some extent to sheer bad luck we are confident that he will find that success at another club.

"We wish Graham all the luck he surely deserves.”

Herbert Ellis.