O'Neill braced for criticism

Villa boss confident in his decision to play understrength side in Europe

Last updated: 27th February 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

O'Neill braced for criticism

O'Neill: Prepared for criticism

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Martin O'Neill admits he will get criticism following Aston Villa's exit from the Uefa Cup - but reiterated that playing an under-strength side was the right thing to do.

Villa crashed out of their last-32 clash with CSKA Moscow 3-1 on aggregate after losing 2-0 in Russia on Thursday night after O'Neill left out most of his senior players.

About 300 fans cheered on Villa in Moscow and O'Neill says the club will try and make it up to them.

But he again defended his decision given his small squad and the fact the club are pushing for a UEFA Champions League finish this term.

He said: "We had a travelling group of people who spent a lot of money to come and support us, and of course they'll be disappointed.

"We will try, at some stage or other, to make it up to those people who made that journey across.

"There are a lot of people who are Aston Villa fans who were unable to afford the trip still supporting us. I am hoping that.

Letters

"I know, though, I will get plenty of letters from people saying it was the wrong thing to do, and I have to cope with that.

"But if you're going to ask me is Champions League football the immediate result of my decision, then I'm sorry, no.

"I can beat myself up enough without other people beating me up.

"But it's where I want the football club to go, and at this minute we're making strides towards that.

"However, whether we make it into the Champions League this year or not is not the point.

"Would I have looked at our position if, for instance, we were in the quarter-final? I may well have done so, but we weren't. It was the final 32.

Cope

"So we're going to try and progress, and the point is, if we're in this position this time next year, that we are able to cope.

"Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal, and you can imagine Manchester City and Tottenham, being able to cope.

"That's the competition, and that's where we are, and after these experiences, European football is something I want to continue to remain involved in."

He did not agree that by resting so many of his first-teamers that his side should now automatically beat Stoke at home in the league on Sunday.

He added: "I don't feel there is any more pressure. Is there more pressure on us for Sunday after being knocked out? Not for the players.

"The one thing you want to do is take pressure away, so I take it on myself. But do I feel now because we've rested players we'll automatically beat Stoke? Absolutely not.

"I wish life was like that. God almighty, I'd never get out of bed, just post me the results!

"Games are hard, you see that, and I don't think we have to look any further than the recent one between Manchester United and Blackburn.

"Alex Ferguson thought they were lucky to have won, with Blackburn hitting the post when it was one each in the second half.

"So things are going to happen in the next 12 weeks, I just know they're going to happen, which means we have to try and be good enough to cope with it."