Villa players demand Ellis meeting
Villa players demand Ellis meeting
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Monday, 17, Jul 2006 09:05
Aston Villa's players have demanded a meeting with chairman Doug Ellis as the row between the two sides shows no sign of abating.
The squad called for the meeting after the underfire chairman reacted angrily to claims the team wanted to see him increase investment in the club, or sell up.
Ellis has always been unpopular with the fans and this row has overshadowed the team's pre-season preparations and put further pressure on the 81-year-old.
"They wish to meet the chairman at his earliest convenience to discuss their concerns over issues raised at the weekend," O'Leary told Sky Sports News.
"It would be unwise for me to comment publicly until the outcome."
The row began after comments were published last week, supposedly from the players, in a local newspaper, calling for greater ambition by the Villa board.
A counter-statement was published by the club on Saturday, claiming that several of the first-team had nothing to do with the comments and expressing Ellis' outrage that the players had suddenly become involved in the running of the club.
An inquiry has been set up involving senior members of the Villa board to establish the facts but midfielder Lee Hendrie admitted he had no idea what was happening at the club.
"A lot of the players don't know what's happening, and we're trying to find out, but hopefully it will be resolved," Hendrie told the BBC.
"We've all had a chat in general about things, and we feel it's been blown out of proportion."
Villa had a poor season last term, finishing 16th in the Premiership, and had troubles in the background as Ellis tried unsuccessfully to find a buyer for his stake in the club.