Angry James drops transfer bid

David James last night completed a sensational U-turn and withdrew his transfer demand at Aston Villa.

But, in doing so, the England goalkeeper indicated that all is not well in the Villa Park dressing room. James is concerned that his request was leaked to the public before Villa's home draw with Manchester City.

He said: 'This is an indication of the problems at Aston Villa and it is not helping to generate the kind of spirit that is necessary for a successful team. I felt it affected the atmosphere of the game on Saturday.

'I now believe it is time for the players, management, board and fans to pull together.' Paul Merson has called on Villa fans to lay off the club's 77-year-old chairman Doug Ellis.

Ellis is being labelled a skinflint and blamed for the transfer demands by James and defender Gareth Southgate, who have given Villa's lack of ambition as the reason for their dissatisfaction.

Complaints against Ellis reached a new peak with fans calling for him to quit during the 2-2 draw against Manchester City, but Merson said: 'I feel sorry for the chairman because the situation is getting out of hand.

'He's making money available to buy a new player ? but it's easier said than done to sign a new striker.

'If a forward anywhere in the world has scored 10 goals in his last 10 games his club aren't going to sell ... and if he isn't, he wouldn't be worth signing anyway.