PAUL Merson is demanding showdown talks with Aston Villa chairman Doug Ellis after claiming the club's present plight is a "joke."

Merson, the runaway player of the year for the second campaign running, wants to meet Ellis to determine the extent of Villa's ambitions after another season of gross under-achievement.

Villa scrambled into an Intertoto Cup spot after an 11-game unbeaten run but that is scant consolation for 33-year-old Merson, who is in the most consistent form of his career.

Former Arsenal star Merson believes it is vital Villa bring in new blood to bolster the current squad.

Ellis has again come under fire from shareholders and supporters over his apparent reluctance to splash out big money while his relationship with Villa manager John Gregory has been strained.

Merson said: "I want to hear what the chairman is saying - but will he see me?I'm not going to put in a transfer request but I need to know where we're going, who we're buying."