Has O’Neill delivered his farewell Villa speech?

Aston Villa fans fear Martin O’Neill may have delivered a farewell speech at the club’s end of season dinner, reports the Daily Mirror.

Villa are sixth in the Premier League but boss O’Neill has admitted he will review his future this summer.

O’Neill, in charge since August 2006, has been linked with possible vacancies at Liverpool and Manchester City. He left Villa fans wondering about his plans at the club’s annual black tie awards bash on Wednesday.

O’Neill always makes an address at the event every season. But this year he made a specific point of thanking numerous people, from the club receptionist to his PR advisor.

His speech even included a quip about managerial counterpart Mark Hughes, who is heavily tipped to replace him at Villa Park.

O’Neill’s words prompted one member of the audience to shout out: “Is this a farewell speech Martin?”

But O’Neill merely stated he will discuss his future with the club’s US owner Randy Lerner next week.

A fan present said: “It sounded to me and a lot of Villa fans like a farewell speech.

“I have never heard him give a speech where he has so publicly wanted to thank everyone he came across.”