Bolton Wanderers defender Gary Cahill holds no grudge against former club Aston Villa after his sale last year.

"Martin O'Neill is a great manager and he's moved on," said Cahill. "He never forced me out of the door. If I had a crystal ball I may have got a chance there, but I didn't. I spoke to him a few times and he couldn't guarantee me a place. I left Villa because I was hungry to play. He couldn't promise me that. I chose to move and have not looked back since.

"I've improved a lot from my days at Villa. When Gary Megson paid £5m it was a gamble but I hope it's paid off. It could have backfired but it's turned out to be a good decision for me and for my career."