“Little more needs to be said except this:

“In those five years [since Villa won the European Cup], the Chairman [Ellis] has changed the manager three times [Barton, Turner, McNeill] and the first team squad almost totally… Ellis should be careful about making [McNeill] a sacrificial victim.”

Birmingham Evening Mail.

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"We have a board meeting fixed for next Monday and we will be fully discussing a number of situations.

"The overall situation of being relegated will be questioned and decisions will be made.

"At this stage I can't say any more than that. The board are all individuals and will all have their say.

"I will not quit. There is a job to be done here.

"I have put a lot of money into this club [a £100,000 interest free loan in the 1970s since repaid whilst multiple thousands have been taken by Ellis as salary over the period].

“I am not aware of anybody else who is prepared to become involved in our affairs to the same extent."

Herbert Douglas Ellis.

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"if I had to put my finger on the decisive point of the season, it would be the Littlewoods Cup-tie at Southampton in November.

"Elliott went over the top on disciplinary points, Keown and Williams were sent off and we had a crop of injuries. That broke our rhythm.

"Most of all, I feel for our fans because they deserve better.

“They have not been given the fare they were entitled to expect.

Billy McNeill.

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"In the best interests of Aston Villa football club the contract of the manager, Billy McNeill, has been terminated today.

“The manager Is bound by his contract not to make any public statement.

“Therefore it is only reasonable that the club make no further comment on the reasons for his dismissal to which he would not have the right of reply."

Herbert Ellis gags Billy McNeill after making the hapless manager the ‘sacrificial victim; he was warned against.

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"I did not have time to tell the players.

“I did not quit. It is the first time I have been sacked.

"I feel very sad because I could not save Villa from relegation.

“They were bottom when I arrived and although we had a bright start after my arrival, everything went wrong after the Southampton game.

"The Second Division? When a big club slides it is hard to stop it.

“I don't see the job being a short-term one."

Billy McNeill.

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"I have no axe to grind. I enjoyed working with the players."

Ron Wylie

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