O'Neill keen to become top dog

Villa boss wants more than local bragging rights

Last updated: 19th September 2008   Subscribe to RSS Feed

O'Neill keen to become top dog

O'Neill: Focused

Related links

Teams

Also see

Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill insists he will not be satisfied until he establishes his side as a force to be reckoned with in the Premier League.

O'Neill takes his men to Midlands rivals West Brom on Sunday, live on Sky Sports 1 and HD 1, but he is eager for more than local bragging rights.

Villa have their sights set on the top four in the Premier League this season and O'Neill is focused upon transforming his side into a major competitor in the English top flight.

"I didn't come to Villa with the idea that Villa would command the Midlands area. That is not my thinking," said O'Neill, who arrived at the club in 2006.

Fantastic

"To be top dog in the Midlands might not be that fantastic. It is far removed from the top sides in the rest of the country."

O'Neill, though, is expecting a tough test against newly-promoted West Brom and has backed the Baggies to avoid an immediate return to the Championship.

"If Albion stay clear of injuries I would not see it as a big problem them surviving," he added.

"They are a decent footballing side and have enough good players in their squad to be able to stay in the Premier League."