"I had four years of intense pressure at Leeds and particularly in the last two years. I had 24-hour round the clock surveillance and security guards at my home.
"Everything we had to go through off the field was really tough and that's why I felt that to keep Leeds in Europe under those ridiculous pressures was a great achievement.
"But I have been in the papers too much and I had too many opinions on too many things. I believe I will come back stronger for it."
O'Leary has also promised to give the current squad a chance before entering into the transfer market and will continue to blood the crop of good youngsters Villa have: "I'm hearing that we've got good young players at Villa. I'm all for bringing in young players if they are good enough.
"That's important to have players who have come through the club and who love the club. That gives you a great base on which to build."