Aston Villa coughed up a hefty compensation fee to Blackpool for manager Neil Critchley.

Critchley left the Seasiders to become assistant manager at Villa to Steven Gerrard.

The Sun says Villa paid Blackpool a £1.2m compensation package for Critchley.

Gerrard was keen on reuniting with the former Liverpool academy coach to replace Michael Beale, who has left the club to become QPR boss.

Blackpool have since appointed Michael Appleton as their new manager.