Martin O'Neill believes the next month will go a long way to deciding whether Villa can maintain their form.
Villa boss says next month is crucial for Midlanders
Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill believes the next month will go a long way to deciding whether they can maintain their form this season.
The Villa Park outfit have impressed so far this term with Sunday's 3-0 loss to Arsenal a rare defeat in their attempts to crack the 'Big Four'.
The Midlands side have a hectic schedule in January with FA Cup and Carling Cup matches to contend with as well as Premier League duty.
With the games coming thick and fast O'Neill is not planning on drawing breath until the next four weeks of the season have elapsed.
By the end of next month O'Neill believes his team will have a clearer idea whether they will be there or thereabouts come next May.
Better idea
''By the end of January we will have a better idea of where we stand and if we are good enough to be in this company," he told the
Birmingham Mail.
"I haven't changed the side in the last few weeks and we will see now if we can sustain it.
"We have Liverpool up next and then the FA Cup game against Blackburn as well as the two League Cup semi-finals against them.
''Once we get through those games and come the end of January we will probably have a better indication of where we are at."
Following Arsenal's win over Villa, Arsene Wenger claimed the title race is wide open, an assessment O'Neill concurs with.
With Chelsea stuttering, and the Gunners and Manchester United accelerating, the former Celtic boss believes there is everything to play for.
Wide open
"I think the league table at the moment would suggest Arsene is right," he continued. "It is wide open.
"For Villa we have gained 35 points in 19 matches but we would have to go in the same way again to be in contention at all. The title race is very close.
"We played Chelsea some weeks ago and won, and I said after that game anyone who finished above them will probably win the league.
"I probably wouldn't change my mind.
"We are enjoying it immensely just being in there but it is a major effort to go again. We got in a decent position last year but didn't have the wherewithal to sustain it. I hope we have this year."
