Like Freddy Shepherd, chairman Doug Ellis made O'Neill his number-one target when he parted company with O'Leary over a fortnight ago.
The ex-Celtic boss ends a 15-month exile from the game after quitting as Parkhead manager in May 2005 to look after his sick wife Geraldine.
Villa ahead of the Magpies ...has he just made the biggest mistake of his life? You bet your bottom dollar he has!