Villa manager Martin O’Neill says he “would be very much against” Villa Park ever being renamed – and revealed his opinion is shared by Randy Lerner.

Newcastle owner Mike Ashley caused outrage this week when he confirmed St James’ Park will now be known as the sportsdirect.com@St James’ Park Stadium while the club search for a long-term stadium sponsor.

O’Neill admitted he is against the principle of renaming stadiums. And the Northern Irishman does not foresee that ever happening with Villa Park, especially while the club is in American Lerner’s hands.

“I’d be very much against it,” said O’Neill, “As far as renaming existing grounds, I don’t really understand it particularly for a ground that is already in existence.

“I cannot see Villa Park being called something else. My view is for the old stadiums, the ones that are established, it would be difficult for me, at my age, to think about a ground as something else.

“I think the owner would be of the same opinion. I don’t even have to speak to him to know that.

“If you have a new ground, like when Arsenal moved from Highbury to the Emirates Stadium, because it had never been named before – I think that’s fine.”

Meanwhile, Villa’s Premier League clash at home to West Ham has been moved to Sunday, January 17 for Sky TV (1.30pm).