Martin O'Neill's Aston Villa tenure: in pictures

O'Neill took charge at Villa Park in August 2006 after a five-year spell at Celtic in which he won three titles and led the Hoops to the Uefa Cup final. Villa, who had not lifted a major trophy since 1982, hoped he could resuscitate the club following David O'Leary's tedious tenure Photograph: AFP/Getty Images

A 1-1 draw at Arsenal in his first fixture began a nine-match unbeaten streak Photograph: Phil Cole/Getty Images

The acquisitions of John Carew and Ashley Young helped O'Neill's side to finish 11th that year, up five places from the previous season Photograph: Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images

The following season, Villa hit 71 goals and were rewarded with sixth place Photograph: Leon Neal/AFP/Getty Images

When Liverpool tried to buy Gareth Barry in the summer of 2008, the midfielder criticised his manager's handling of the situation, suggesting that O'Neill had made little effort to keep him. Barry remained for one more year before being sold to Manchester City Photograph: Mike Egerton/EMPICS Sport

A bright start to the 2008-09 season lasted longer than anyone expected. Villa were top-four candidates with 13 games remaining ... Photograph: Stu Forster/Getty Images

Such was his desire to focus on the league, O'Neill fielded a weakened side against CSKA Moscow in the second leg of their Uefa Cup round of 32 match, which ended in a 2-0 defeat that knocked Villa out of the competition. The result triggered a terminal decline in Villa's league form - they went 10 games without a win and finished sixth again Photograph: Epsilon/Getty Images

Last season, Villa exited the Europa League before the group stage, but wins over Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool kept them in the hunt for a top-four finish in the league ... Photograph: Chris Ratcliffe/AFP/Getty Images

O'Neill also led Villa to the Carling Cup final - their first cup final since 2000 - but Manchester United ran out 2-1 victors in the end Photograph: Jamie McDonald/Getty Images

The season ended in further agony for Villa as they were beaten at Wembley again, this time in an FA Cup semi-final by Chelsea. Tottenham later pipped them to fourth spot in the league, leaving Villa sixth overall for the third year running. O'Neill's relationship with the club's owner Randy Lerner deteriorated over the summer as transfer speculation involving James Milner grew. O'Neill eventually resigned just five days ahead of the new season, saying: "I have enjoyed my time at Aston Villa immensely. It's obviously a wrench to be leaving such a magnificent club." Photograph: Michael Regan - The FA/The FA via Getty Images