Gregory – Doug Should Have Gone

One of many former Aston Villa managers, this time John Gregory, believes that Doug Ellis may well hold on to power but should have stepped down several years ago.

Gregory, in charge between 1998-2002 and famous for his ‘Doug is in a timewarp’ quotes, told Sky Sports

‘Doug’s time as chairman has been questioned. I questioned it in my time there, as did Graham Taylor. Now David O’Leary might be asking himself whether the chairman is prepared to push Villa up to where they belong. But Doug has always watched the pennies. He prides himself on the club being run on a very secure financial footing. He has spent money, but in taking that next step, you wanted him to take a financial gamble and push the club that little bit further and drive it on,’

‘That is what made me walk away. I felt they didn’t quite have that ambition to really stick their neck out and become a top-four, top-five club in the country. In my opinion he should have stepped down three or four seasons ago and allowed somebody younger with more enthusiasm, ambition and drive to chair the club and push them in the right direction.‘

‘Unfortunately, until Doug Ellis does that I think this is the kind of scenario that will continue to rear its ugly head from time to time.’