Preston North End boss Simon Grayson says Aston Villa have never recovered from the departure of Martin O'Neill.

Grayson played 49 Premier League games for Villa between 1997-99 and after managing Leeds United he knows only too well the tribulations of the fallen giant.

Now he has given his thoughts on the sad decline of his former team.

He is quoted as saying: "It's a huge football club.

"We had a good time when I was there, playing in Europe, but over the last few years - probably since Martin O'Neill left - the club has had that gradual decline, and it's a sorry state of affairs to see a football club as big as that in the problems that they're in."