Martin O'Neill Quits Aston Villa: Inevitable Exit, Curious Timing

Martin O'Neill has walked out on Aston Villa just five days before the start of the new EPL season, leaving the club reeling ahead of their opener against West Ham on Saturday.

The details will become clear soon enough, but it's reasonably safe to assume O'Neill's frustration with the club's transfer policy was instrumental in his decision—Villa having sold prime asset Gareth Barry to Manchester City last season, with his England teammate James Milner set to follow him to Eastlands imminently.

Moreover, club owner Randy Lerner told O'Neill his spending this season would be on a sell-to-buy basis, effectively ending the club's chances of breaking into the coveted top four and challenging for Champions League football.

O'Neill was rumored to be considering his resignation in May before Lerner convinced him to stay and made a statement to that effect. But it appears their relationship, and ultimately a state of financial affairs that has O'Neill questioning the club's ambition, has prompted a dramatic change of heart.

O'Neill took over at Villa Park in 2006 and has led Aston Villa to three consecutive sixth-placed finishes in the last three seasons. But the highly-rated Northern Irishman has repeatedly been linked with moves away from the club, not least as a possible long-term replacement for Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United.

Villa reserve team manager Kevin McDonald will take the role of caretaker manager for their EPL opener against West Ham. 

O'Neill made the following statement on the Aston Villa website:

"I have enjoyed my time at Aston Villa immensely. It's obviously a wrench to be leaving such a magnificent club. I would like to pay tribute to the Villa players, my coaching staff and the Villa supporters for all the support and encouragement they have given both the club and me personally during my time as manager.

"I wish them all the best for the future. I will obviously be assisting the club in the immediate short term with regard to the handover of my duties."