Ellis, who appointed O'Neill as manager four years ago, insists "the club is bigger than any one man" after O'Neill resigned because of a dispute over transfer policy. Ellis believes the timing of O'Neill's decision, just five days before the Premier League campaign, is far from ideal. He told Sky Sports News: "I was not entirely surprised by Martin's resignation although I was disappointed by the timing of it. "I'm saddened. I think the supporters will be saddened - on the whole. "Martin has done a very good job for Villa and I'm glad I appointed him. "It is just a pity it has been done at this particular time." Ellis, who is now a life president at Villa, has faith in Lerner to find the right replacement for O'Neill, who replaced David O'Leary in the summer of 2006. Ellis said: "Never forget the club is bigger than any one man, whoever it is. "The club will continue and, in Randy Lerner, Aston Villa have a very good chairman (owner). "I'm delighted I chose him in comparison to the four other predators who were trying to buy the club. "I know that Randy Lerner will find a successor and I hope all the supporters will back him and chief executive Paul Faulkner in finding the best possible man for the job."
