Villa v Newcastle United VPL Protest Posted by Mac McColgan, 12/2/00 at 10:29:12 PM.

from ananova.com

Aston Villa manager John Gregory showed his frustration at the club's plight by exiting the ground barely 15 minutes after the 1-1 home draw with Newcastle United.

Gregory had only a brief exchange with his players in the dressing room before heading away from Villa Park.

His exit echoed the anger of the fans towards chairman Doug Ellis in the latter stages of the Premiership encounter.

Immediately after Nolberto Solano had scored Newcastle's equaliser chants of 'We want Ellis out' started up from the terraces and then started again at the final whistle, which was greeted with boos.

Gregory has constantly spelt out the need for new players to be brought in to strengthen his squad which has now started to be badly hit by injuries.

But fans have constantly pointed the finger at Ellis, who has seemed reluctant to splash out the large investments that Gregory believes Villa need to challenge for a Champions League spot.

It was left to first-team coach Steve Harrison to hold the after-match press conference, and he claimed to have no knowledge of Gregory's quickfire departure.

Villa captain Gareth Southgate said: "John just said that he couldn't fault anyone for their effort and that they had given their all and to be fair it is not often that you can level a lack of effort against our lads."

As for the response of the crowd, Southgate said: "In fairness to them they are behind the team but you know that as soon as things go wrong there is a bit of a mutiny.

"We have to try to put that out of our heads and concentrate on playing.

"Fans have voiced their opinion in the last couple of games but there is no point in us commenting further on this matter."

Harrison admitted: "John, as you expect, was disappointed. This was the second time that we have been a goal in front in successive weeks and then thrown away points to a long ball down the middle.

"The mood after the game was disappointing but it's not for me to get involved in matters away from the playing side."

-- Anonymous, December 02, 2000

Answers

Makes me proud to be a Toon fan!

Ok we managed to match them 2nd half but wat sort of way is this for fans to react? They moan about new players- weve only got Dublin up front cos Nilis got injured! Weve also only got Southgate, Barry, Boetang, Stone, Ginola, Hendrie, Dublin playing and were 7th in the league! Ellis out, placards up, revolt- more money needed.

Tough s**t guys and gals the PL is a tough game. All i can think of is listening to Metro, the Toon fans singing hearts out for almost the whole game.

-- Anonymous, December 02, 2000

What none of the papers tell is that JG left the bench and marched off to the dressing room with about 15 minute still left to play. He never returned.......however, where the others shirk the facts, it is reported on DAILY TOON

-- Anonymous, December 03, 2000

Doh....thick sh!t or not......this should be it: DAILY TOON

Didn't you just know that I was gonna point you there!

-- Anonymous, December 03, 2000