O'Neill upbeat for Bridge trip

Villa boss looking forward to Sunday's showdown with Blues

Last updated: 3rd October 2008

O'Neill upbeat for Bridge trip

O'Neill: Feeling confident

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Martin O'Neill believes Aston Villa can head to Stamford Bridge on Sunday with the confidence to end Chelsea's unbeaten home record.

Chelsea have gone 85 Premier League games at home without defeat, but have failed to beat Villa in their previous five meetings.

Villa have enjoyed a promising start to the campaign and manager O'Neill admits morale is high within his squad.

"It's a remarkably big game for us," said O'Neill on Sky Sports News. "I think all the Premiership games have been huge.

Self-belief

"I'm sure if we go to Stamford Bridge and get turned over, people will say it's not much to write home about there, but it's not our own view.

"We're going into the game with loads of confidence. I feel we can win. That's a strong statement, but I have a lot of confidence in the side.

"They are playing with a lot of self-belief, which is so, so important. We have got a chance and I think we've got a chance in every game we play."

O'Neill also insists that the opportunity to end injury-hit Chelsea's lengthy unbeaten run at Stamford Bridge will not serve as extra motivation for his players.

Huge admirer

He added: "They are so strong in every department. I'm a huge admirer of Chelsea. They treat every competition with incredible merit.

"They have a good, strong squad that can cope with anything. Whatever side they put out, it will be Chelsea.

"I don't think we need any extra motivation, it will not be a thought in our heads trying to break their record.

"That record is sensational. When eventually it is broken, it would be hard for any club in this era to repeat that."