But he hit back at the stream of criticism from supporters and former professionals calling for him to quit in the wake of one of the most disappointing nights in the club’s recent history.

Bookmakers William Hill have made O’Leary 2-1 to be the next Premiership manager to be axed.

O’Leary said: “I am ashamed about the other night. I take full responsibility for what happened. It was my fault.

“The buck stops with me. I was ashamed of what happened in the 90 minutes and the same applies to my players.

“I pick the team. I am responsible for results. I can’t quite understand what happened on Tuesday.

“Some of the team didn’t have the same hunger for success that I have. It was a competition we had a chance of winning but we were a mere shadow of ourselves.”

Former Villa skipper Dennis Mortimer has been among those questioning whether O’Leary should remain at the helm.

But the Villa chief said: “Criticism comes with the job, big style. You only have to look at Alan Curbishley at the moment and Alex Ferguson to see that everyone is in the same boat at some stage in their careers.

“But I am passionate for this club to do well. When I came here that was the big challenge for me. Somebody had to take it on and I was willing to try to achieve things.”