Martin O'Neill nearly wrecked my career

Thomas Sorensen has reopened his bitter war of words with Martin O'Neill by accusing the Aston Villa boss of almost destroying his career.

Sorensen remains furious with O'Neill after he was frozen out at Villa Park last season.

The Danish goalkeeper, 32, annoyed O'Neill by questioning the loan signing of Scott Carson from Liverpool in August 2007.

And Sorensen was then sidelined last term before quitting on a free this summer to promoted Stoke when his contract expired.

He believes he may have taken the best available option after claiming Manchester City, Blackburn and Middlesbrough were all interested in him.

But Sorensen reckons O'Neill allegedly conducted a whispering campaign against him suggesting he had psychological and fitness problems.

"It stayed personal for him and had nothing to do with football," said Sorensen, who cost Vill a £2.25million from Sunderland in 2003.

"This summer it was so crazy and insane that I suddenly realised my manager could destroy my career.

"He said to me and two others that he didn't use me because I just wasn't good enough but at the same time he didn't want to let me go to another club.

"He must really have had a down on me, because why would he effectively destroy my chances for me to change clubs?

"I know that Man City, Blackburn and Boro were more or less ready to pick me up but the course of events was the same.

"Suddenly I didn't hear any more from them. Nothing happened and I didn't get an explanation."

O'Neill signed Brad Friedel from Blackburn for £2million in August to replace Sorensen and also brought in fellow Yank keeper Brad Guzan.

And Villa have enjoyed a promising start to the Premier League campaign.

There remains no love lost between O'Neill and Sorensen and the Villa boss has also fallen out with Czech star Patrik Berger, who left under a cloud in May after urging Gareth Barry to join Liverpool.

Villa new boy James Milner insists he has not become frustrated at having to play a bit-part role since his £12m transfer from Newcastle.

The club's record signing said: "There's competition for places and you have to play well to stay in the side.

"That's the way it should be. I haven't been frustrated.

"I'd be delighted if we won every game with me sat on the bench. What's important to me is being part of a massive club doing well on a number of fronts."