O'Leary agreed an "amicable parting of the ways" with Villa following an internal investigation into the publication of a statement, allegedly from players, criticising the club.
It's ironic that another managerial Toon target, Alan Curbishley (a former Villa player), is one of the leading contenders for the job having left Charlton at the end of last season.
And guess what - O'Leary's assistant manager and ex-Newcastle captain Roy Aitken would provide a straightforward in-house option while ex-Celtic boss Martin O'Neill has inevitably been linked with the role.