O'Leary named new Villa manager

Aston Villa have appointed David O'Leary as their new manager, on a three-year contract.

The former Leeds United boss agreed terms on 21 May, a week after Graham Taylor stepped down following a disappointing season in which Villa finished 16th in the Premiership.

A proven record

O'Leary, 45, made his name as a manager at Leeds, where he took over in 1998 and built an exciting young side. Under his leadership, Leeds reached the semi-finals of the UEFA Cup in 2000 and the semi-finals of the Champions League in 2001, beating some of the biggest clubs in Europe along the way.

He was sacked by Leeds in the summer of 2002, after the club failed to qualify for the Champions League and began to run into financial trouble. He has been out of the game for a year.

As a player, O'Leary spent almost 20 years at Arsenal, making a record number of appearances for the club, and won 68 caps for the Republic of Ireland.

Taylor's departure

Taylor, who first managed Villa between 1987 and 1990 and led them to second place in the old First Division, returned for a second spell in February 2002, when he replaced John Gregory. But this season was a struggle, and Villa narrowly avoided being drawn into a relegation battle.

The season was also marked by defeats to Birmingham City in both Second City derbies, which were particularly painful for the fans.

Taylor, a former England manager, decided it was time for someone new to take the club forward. He leaves with the respect of many supporters, who remember his first spell fondly.

The challenge ahead

O'Leary inherits a squad with some talented young players, including Gareth Barry, Darius Vassell and Jlloyd Samuel, but one that has underperformed. He will be expected to bring in new players and improve the team's results quickly.

The big question is how much money chairman Doug Ellis will provide. Ellis has been criticised for not spending enough on new players, and previous managers have complained about a lack of funds.

O'Leary is known for his ability to develop young players, which could suit a club with a strong academy and a limited budget.

Fans' reaction

The appointment has been broadly welcomed by supporters, who see O'Leary as an ambitious choice. After a season of disappointment, many are hoping he can restore the club's fortunes and bring European football back to Villa Park.

O'Leary will start work immediately, and will be looking to make his first signings before the new season begins in August.

His first task will be to lift the spirits of a squad and a fan base that have had little to celebrate this season.