Martin O'Neil has resigned as manager of Aston Villa, confirmed the Premier League club on Monday.

The reserve team manager Kevin MacDonald has assumed the role of caretaker manager and will prepare the team for the opening Premier League game of the season against West Ham on Saturday at Villa Park.

O'Neil said: "I have enjoyed my time at Asto Villa immensely. It's obviously a wrench to be leaving such a magnificent club. I would like to pay tribute to the Villa players, my coaching staff and the Villa supporters for all the support and encouragement they have given both the club and me personally during my time as manager."

O'Neil, 58, took charge of Aston Villa in 2006, leading the team to their third successive sixth-placed finish in the Premier League last season.