New Aston football chief Monchi has declared leaving Sevilla a "nightmare".
Monchi insists he never planned to leave for Villa, though admits he was struggling to work to his strengths during his second spell with the club.
He said at his farewell presser last week: "I keep thinking that this is a nightmare, that it's not real, that I'm not leaving Sevilla, but unfortunately it's a reality.
"I'm leaving Sevilla and I'm here to say goodbye. It's not a normal farewell. I want to explain, tell and discover why it is a reality that I have to leave Sevilla . And I'm going to tell it to defend my image and integrity. If I didn't tell it, I wouldn't be able to look many of the people here in the face.
"I think it's fair tell what I feel.
"I don't want what I say today to be used as a thrown weapon against anyone, but I want to defend three things: I didn't want to leave Sevilla; I'm leaving out of respect for Sevilla; I'm not leaving for money.
"If small details change when it comes to working, if the club considers it that way, because I am an executive and I understand it. Confidence is lost or they want to turn around. I am not going to find a club with more autonomy and it is true.
"When I came from Rome, I was told that I could move the bottle here or here. I'm good in everyday life. But if I'm missing something in everyday life, it's not me, it's half of Monchi. Stay half of Monchi charging as whole Monchi is not fair. And it was the easiest for me.
"I am a special sports director. I am Monchi, for better and for worse. Out of respect, if my role has changed, and to be fair to myself, if I can't be 100% Monchi, I can't be there out of respect for Sevilla.
"I have fought internally with myself to stay . Until Wednesday morning. Unfortunately I couldn't stay."
