Steve McManaman has rejected an opportunity to return to the Premiership with Aston Villa.

Villa boss John Gregory revealed the midlands club did have talks with the Real Madrid winger in a bid to persuade him to move to Villa Park, but the England star remains determined to stay in Spain and force his way back into the starting line-up at Real.

Meanwhile, Aston Villa's shareholders delivered a damning verdict on their controversial chairman Doug Ellis yesterday by refusing to re-elect him to the board at the club's annual general meeting. Ellis, chairman since 1982, was defeated by 60 votes to 40 on a show of hands at the stormy meeting.