Former manager Martin O'Neill has been slammed by Aston Villa director Charles C Krulak for quitting his job on the eve of the new Premier League season.

O'Neill reportedly left the club after being told that he would not be given all of the money from James Milner's proposed move to Manchester City to reinvest in his Villa Park squad.

Krulak told the Birmingham Mail:"There is absolutely no question that Martin did a good deal for Villa and I have said, over and over, that I felt he did a fine job.

"But no one person is bigger than Aston Villa Football Club – not Randy Lerner, not me, not chief executive Paul Faulkner and not Martin.

"What is interesting is that only three of those named understand that fact. Martin O'Neill knew and understood the long-range plans for Aston Villa and bought into them.

"He knew full well about the need to bring wages in line with revenue – the same as all clubs.

"He was supported absolutely by the owner. All the fans need to do is look at the money spent over time.

"The reality is that the wage issue was not addressed and Martin was apparently unwilling to help address it, so he quit."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email