ASTON VILLA have this afternoon confirmed that their players will wear black armbands on Sunday in their match against Leeds United in memory of their former manager Billy McNeill.
Billy moved to Villa Park in 1986 from Maine Road, he had been the Manchester City manager since 1983 when he left Celtic after a disagreement with the old board, who wanted him to sack his Assistant Manager and fellow Lisbon Lion John Clark in order to get a pay-rise.
Manchester City played last night at Old Trafford but disappointingly failed to wear black armbands. The mega-rich English league leaders have been coming in for some criticism today for this omission.
We can confirm that our players will wear black armbands at Sunday’s game against Leeds United in memory of our former manager, Billy McNeill, who died earlier this week. ????#AVFC pic.twitter.com/xVfhbHHjir
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) April 25, 2019
The current Nottingham Forest manager Martin O’Neill took time out to pay his own tribute to Billy McNeill. Martin of course followed in Billy’s footsteps by winning the European Cup as a player with Forest in 1979 and again in 1980 and later as the Celtic manager.
TRIBUTES
"He was an iconic captain in an iconic team"
"He had a real stature about him as a man"
Martin O'Neill & Derek McInnes add their tributes to @CelticFC legend Billy McNeill-https://t.co/pLE76PETj6 https://t.co/8ViQPzcf8Q
— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) April 24, 2019
Forest’s near neighbours, Leicester City also have a former Celtic manager coaching their team at the moment but he has not made any public comment about the passing of the Celtic legend Billy McNeill.
