“I have decided to start trying to play football again at a higher level again,

“Aston Villa remains my priority.

“I am very excited. People will be asking a lot of questions, and will have a lot of doubts.

“I always believe that if you work hard, you will get fitter.

“My fitness is getting close to when I retired, so let’s see where we go.”

Stiliyan Petrov on his potential return to professional football.



“It wasn’t a disagreement. I spoke to Jores the week beginning the Bournemouth game [which took place on 9 April] and I thought he responded well and thought he trained extremely well.

“But once I named the XI on the Friday, which I normally do to try and get more detail into them, Jores asked to see me and said that he didn’t want to be considered to be on the bench, which I found surprising but that was his decision.

“So I then withdrew him from the squad. I met him again on the Monday and asked if he had considered his position over the weekend. At that point, he said he didn’t want to be considered for any games going forward. And at that point I really didn’t have a choice apart from remove him.

“I don’t want people who don’t want to be at Aston Villa and playing at Aston Villa, certainly under the circumstances, and the Bournemouth game was a massive game for us. So he has gone to the under-21s and that’s what happens.

“I am surprised from a young or an old player, but Jores will have his own thoughts on that and I have my thoughts on it. We have come to a conclusion.”

Eric Black on Jores Okore.



“I write to Villa supporters to make clear that this relegation lies at my feet and no one else’s.

“How many seasons after all can one hold on and hope to slide through? That is not Aston Villa. That kind of desperate existence is totally unacceptable, unbearable and totally incompatible with Villa’s glorious past.

“That is not what, or why, I looked to get involved back then and it is why I’ve looked for some time to make a change. I can say certainly in good faith that I have tried to sell since my May 2014 announcement and put our beloved club in better suited hands – but that hasn’t happened.

“I believe in Aston Villa and know it will come back stronger and more able, with love and care for the community it serves. I will continue to try to put the club into worthy hands and also do my best to position Villa for the quickest possible return to its rightful place among England’s elite.”

Randy Lerner on relegation.



“We created more chances. We had two or three chances, and if we’d taken them, we might have got something. But if we have to score five goals at home to win a game, then we’re going to be in for a tough challenge. We did get a response under difficult circumstances, but it wasn’t enough to win the game.

“We conceded poor goals that put us on the back foot. There was a response, and credit for that, but on the day it wasn’t enough.

“The fans are entitled to vent their displeasure. It’s not an ideal atmosphere, but it’s understandable, given the circumstances. We have to continue to be professional.”

Eric Black, Saturday, 23 April 2016.