Reo-Coker: I was hung out to dry

Nigel Reo-Coker accused West Ham United of hanging him out to dry after completing his protracted transfer to Aston Villa last night.

Villa have paid an initial £7.5million with a possible £1m in add-ons for the England Under 21 captain, who has agreed a four-year deal.

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But the midfielder could not resist a withering parting shot at Hammers' boss Alan Curbishley after his time at Upton Park turned sour.

Reo-Coker believes he became the fall guy as Hammers' season started to implode and relegation to the Championship looked inevitable.

"I believe I was used as a scapegoat at one point," he said. "I think I was hung out to dry.

"This is a fresh start for me, a new beginning and I do not want to dwell on the past. I could spend hours talking about what went on at West Ham. It was an experience which has hardened me but I don't think it was an experience anyone should be forced to go through, like I was, at the age of 22.

"If people want to see me as obnoxious or bitter about what went on then that's their prerogative.

"I do not know how West Ham fans will treat me when I go back to play there but whatever anybody says about me I know I have always given 110 per cent for whichever club I've played for."

Villa boss Martin O'Neill said: "To be honest I was surprised by what went on at West Ham last season but, and you will forgive me for saying this, at that point in time it was not my problem."