latest news; Martin O'Neill has stunned Aston Villa by resigning as manager with immediate effect ahead of the new Premier League season. Reports emerged earlier on Monday that the former Leicester and Celtichttp://static.lingospot.com/spot/image/spacer.gif boss was set to quit Villa Parkhttp://static.lingospot.com/spot/image/spacer.gif over frustration at the club's transfer policy and the expected sale of James Milnerhttp://static.lingospot.com/spot/image/spacer.gif to Manchester City.http://static.lingospot.com/spot/image/spacer.gif Villa have now confirmed the news of O'Neill's departure and revealed that Kevin MacDonald, reserve team manager, has assumed the role of caretaker boss ahead of the start of the new season against West Ham on Saturday. O'Neill told Villa's official website: "I have enjoyed my time at Aston Villahttp://static.lingospot.com/spot/image/spacer.gif 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